Paper Short Abstract:

Founded in 1986, Monroe County Civic Theater has provided a communal space for play, exploring ideas of creativity and work, and autonomy outside of commercial theatre. As a participant-observer for sixteen years, the author has played with a broad range of hopeful actors, directors, and theatre-makers, who have collectively defined who they are as individuals and artists.

Paper Abstract:

Monroe County Civic Theater (MCCT) is an “all volunteer” non-profit community theatre group based in Bloomington, Indiana, that was founded in 1986. Since its founding, MCCT has committed to an inclusive theatre-making experience for anyone who wants to participate. Auditions do take place for full-length shows, including an annual Shakespeare in the Park offering in late spring/early summer each year, but anyone who wants to take part is included in some capacity.

The “amateur” designation of MCCT belies the extensive training and experience that many of the regular participants have. As a play-making community, the frame of the theater experience, within a community and amateur framework, provides opportunities for people of all ages to play together in ways that provide structure, but also provide scope to break out of routine and daily expressions of self. Since there is no charge for many of the shows, MCCT allows a certain flexibility and freedom in the kinds of plays and revues that it produces and supports. Still, productions require some investment in time, money, materials, and adequate spaces in which to perform. The MCCT Board (of which the author is a current member) guides the behind-the-scenes fundraising and provides another opportunity for people to play together outside of their personal and professional lives. The framing of the idea of community theatre as a space for play allows a freedom that is not as easily experienced in professional productions.