TEN REASONS YOU SHOULD JOIN BECKENHAM THEATRE
A
very busy place
We have a full programme
of productions, social nights, weekend performances, set-building, rehearsals,
workshops, concerts and events. Our theatre is entirely staffed by volunteers,
and the building is in use almost every day of the year. There is always
something to do and fun to be had, so there has never been a better time
to join.
Fun, friendly atmosphere
The delightful atmosphere onstage, backstage, in the bar
and other public areas is partly due to the innate charm of the building,
but can also be attributed to the passion and enthusiasm of the members.
So many people contribute their time and energy to the theatre that there
is a real buzz to the place.
Great location
Conveniently located in the heart of Beckenham, just minutes
from the Hight Street, the theatre has excellent transport links to Bromley,
Croydon and Wimbledon, and central London is just twenty minutes by train
(Beckenham Junction - London Victoria). Details of how to find us can
be found here.
Excellence is at our core
We may be an amateur
group, but we our membership includes some wonderful actors and directors,
who bring with them a huge variety of experience. Shows at BTC have won
a number of awards in recent years, and a commitment to high-quality drama
is central to all we do. Each year we also celebrate excellence on our
stage with our annual Beatties awards: the entire membership are polled
for their views on the last season's shows, and winners are announced
in a glamorous black-tie awards ceremony.
Make
new friends
Whether
it's to see a show, to take part in a rehearsal, or to play board games
over a drink in the bar... whatever
your reason for being at BTC, you will always find yourself with like-minded
theatregoers. Often a new person will move into the area, pop in once
to see what we do, and never look back. It is very easy to become involved
in the social fabric of the theatre, and within months, people will think
you've been there for years!
Help the local community
As a registered charity,
it is important to recognise the value BTC has to the community it has
served for the last 60 years. The theatre is committed to involving the
local community in every aspect of what we do. Any member is eligible
to join our board of
Trustees, elected by quorum of members at an annual general meeting. The
current chairman is Fiona Vail. A full list of Trustees, with contact
details, is available in the members area
of the website.
Membership only costs £20.00 per year, which enables you to take part in (or book tickets for) any of the full productions, weekend spots or social events we run throughout the year. What's more, if you pay your joining fee and complete your application form on a show night, you are entitled to two free tickets to see the show! The tickets are also very good value, at only £8.00 for adults and £6.00 for children and concessions (unless otherwise stated). With BTC, the credit crunch doesn't have to be a culture crunch!
Learn new skills
For those who want to develop experience in the theatre,
whether as an actor, director, stage manager or a lighting and sound technician,
there are people on hand to guide you through your first time, and the
learning curve will be fast and fun! Whatever contribution you can make
to running a show will be welcomed and there is no better way to find
out how much you will enjoy it.
Improve existing skills
& experience
For those who have previous theatrical experience, whether
recent or in the dim-and-distant past, there is plenty to do onstage and
backstage in one of our shows to develop your skills and to make friends
along the way. It is not uncommon for new members to join us after a 20
year hiatus, and return to the stage triumphant. It's a bit like riding
a bike... but with better costumes.
And finally... it's really really easy to join:
Step 2: Fill in both pages of the membership form
Step 3: Write out a cheque for £20:00, made out to Beckenham Theatre Centre Ltd
Step 4: Put the cheque and the membership form in the post, addressed to: Beckenham Theatre Centre, 46 Bromley Road, Beckenham, BR3 5JD, or pop it in the letterbox next time you pass the building, or hand it in to the box office on a show night to receive two complimentary tickets
Step 5: Wait for confirmation of membership. This will follow the next Trustees meeting, which occur every five to six weeks
Step 6: Tell all your friends how easily you joined Beckenham Theatre (and perhaps buy them memberships for their birthdays)