Kelvin Players Theatre Company – Members' Activities and benefits.
Kelvin Players owns the premises at 253B Gloucester Road, Bishopston referred to as The Kelvin Studio. We produce at least five productions per year. Occasionally we organise productions away from the studio, such as outdoor venues or at The Tobacco Factory Theatres.
With well over 120 members of all ages* and backgrounds and the support of numerous patrons we have a busy calendar of events within the club. Be it productions, construction nights, rehearsed play readings or new writing meetings, there are loads of ways to get involved.
If you’re interested in joining us contact our membership secretary on membership@kelvinplayers.co.uk
*Membership available from age 16.
ACTING
Acting parts for all productions (read-throughs and auditions) Members are encouraged to audition for acting roles in all our productions. For every production there is a read-through of the play, which is an essential part of preparing for the auditions. Everyone present at the read-through gets the chance to see what the play is about and meet the Director, and to get an idea of which parts might suit them and what the show will be like. The auditions are then held and the casting of the play is decided by the Director and small audition panel. Auditions are open only to paid-up members. Read-throughs and auditions are advertised in The Jester.
LET'S BE FRIENDS
We would love you to join us.
Members
You can join us as a Member just by paying your subscription (and completing necessary forms).
For more information about the benefits of becoming a member.
Friends
... or you can join us as a Friend of Kelvin just by providing financial support to the company.
For more information about the benefits of becoming a Friend.
We are relaunching our Friends programme. As our most avid theatregoers, Friends are entitled to certain benefits in return for their continuing support.
For an annual fee of £20 for a single person, or £30 for a couple Friends will benefit from:
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Discounted tickets - £one third off the price of a full price ticket
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Email updates from the Company – including our bi-monthly “The Jester”
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Invitation to Rehearsed Readings
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Meet the Director talks
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Annual Friends dinner with entertainment
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Names with thanks in programme – our Friends are a great support to the company!
If you are interested in becoming a Friend, please email friends@kelvinplayers.co.uk and we’ll send you an application form.
WORKSHOPS
According to demand, we run both technical and acting and directing workshops.
REHEARSED READINGS
RR's offer the chance to Kelvin members to direct or act in a one-act play. They are initiated via 2 launch evenings held in a year for members who want to take part in a RR and, ideally, everyone who attends will be cast. With scripts in hand, it is a great opportunity for both new and more members to take part in a wide selection of roles and genres. They require comparatively less commitment as they are usually rehearsed on the same day as the evening performance. (On occasions, the Director may have extra read-throughs/rehearsals prior to the Saturday performance). RR are a good opportunity to get involved, meet other members, show your acting skills or direct in a less pressured atmosphere. Rehearsed Reading performance evenings Eight Saturday evenings a year, the club runs script-in-hand, directed readings, which are low-pressure & no-budget events. These evenings consists of usually two one-act plays. They are only advertised within the club, usually with voluntary contribution of £1 and an audience of club members, friends and family.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We have a facebook group, which all members may join. You can set up your own profile, and chat to others members online, post videos and pictures. Members have access to our twitter social networking where they can follow what is happening with the club and its productions.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Committee helps to promote the club & and its activities and maintain its members’ interests.
Our Mission Statement is “To create excellent theatre through the sharing & development of skills and expertise in all aspects of production and performance”. Our vision is “To be and be seen to be the premier non-professional theatre group in the South West”.
We encourage members to help the committee to do this in the many activities and roles that are part of the club’s structure.
BACKSTAGE WORK & SET CONSTRUCTION
A backstage team is assembled for each production by the Producer or Director. Members can volunteer to work backstage by contacting the Producer or Director. Some roles need attendance at rehearsals, but this can be agreed with the Producer.We have a mentoring scheme where a less knowledgeable/experienced person may be mentored by a more knowledgeable/experienced person in the club. Set construction takes place on Monday and Wednesday evenings in the main hall. Anyone interested in helping to build sets can contact the Company Stage Manager or the production Construction Manager.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Kelvin Studio has space for rehearsals, set construction, storage for props/set/costumes and simple catering. Maintenance work is carried out by members. Fund raising activities are sometimes needed for specific projects. Kelvin also lets out the main hall to various external clients (such as children’s dance and tai-chi classes). Money raised from these lettings contributes towards building maintenance.
SOCIAL EVENTS
A variety of social events are held throughout the year. All events are advertised in advance in The Jester. Ticket Sales and Publicity: As with every other club, these are the activities that keep us afloat. All members are expected to do their bit by coming to shows and actively selling tickets to family, friends and colleagues. We are re-establishing a Publicity Committee within the group.
DIRECTING
Directors are expected to have directed one rehearsed reading, worked backstage on one production and directed a black box production before they seek to direct a full production. However individuals’ experience of directing outside the club is also considered. Directors may submit plays for consideration and put themselves forward to direct by April of each year. The Artistic Director assisted by the APC is responsible for reading and selecting productions will go ahead for the following year.
PLAY READINGS
On occasional social evenings throughout the year we hold Play Reading evenings where members get together to read plays - which are meant to be spoken out loud. It's so much better to hear and socially read plays.
KELVIN THEATRE LIBRARY
Members have access to the wide range of drama information resources held in the Kelvin Library. This includes over 1000 indexed script titles, collection of theatrical reference books and collections of journals and periodicals.
KELVIN WRITERS GROUP
This is for members who have aspirations to write. This informal group enables members to discuss their work in order to give and gain feedback on their own projects and those of fellow members - a support network for writers. They meet regularly, provide on-line support and collaborate on writing projects which may be performed as Rehearsed Readings at Kelvin.
DIGEST
All members (with email) are included on an e-mail distribution list that gets sent out weekly giving updates on anything related to the club but also various other opportunities outside the club, such as audition notices, local productions, and training notices.
MEMBERS' WEBSITE
On our public website, members have access to the password protected member pages. This will include access to committee details, current production rehearsal schedules, future production details, past show photos and technical guidelines.