Student & Uni Drama groups

Ye Grant I think we do , that is should have more of a role in araising awareness of community theatre to the world at large and indeed we DO try our best. Firstlly we include in our public relations list for the LINK the WAAPA amongst others but you know just what it's like getting noticed!!! Secondly a bit more person power would probably help - the Website is definitely a good start but we really do need a 'full-time' publicity person to PUSH, PUSH, PUSH. Now that we may have a Treasurer in our sights is there anyone out there eho'd like the job, started so ably by Peter Fry when he was on committee? We offer no pay, irregular hours, very little thanks and less recognition. ?An ideal job so apply in person to the ITA!!> Does the ITA have more of a role to play in raising awareness> of amateur theatre in the community at large?> ...> I've got a notion in my head that many students and university> drama groups have no idea of the existance of the Independent Theatre> Association.> Students enrolled in a drama or theatre related course, or members> of a campus theatre group, can have enormous enthusiasm for theatre.> When they graduate however, work (or dole) pressures may cause them> to forgoe future involvement in theatre. An additional factor may> be that many of them may have no contact, experience or knowledge> of community theatre. I remember that as a student (not so long ago!)> I had no idea of the range of opportunities available in community> theatre.> A poster or flyer campaign targetting performance venues on tertiary> and post secondary campuses around the metropolitan area could generate> quite a few new memberships. A letter of introduction to teaching> staff, perhaps offering to speak to interested students may assist.> Referring technologically literate students to the ITA website would> be a good way to get things going.> Now, I'm aware that many clubs would not consider an influx of> acting-obsessed, spotty youngsters scarcely beyond their teens (not> my impression - but some people don't treat them much differently)> a perfect solution to their declining membership. But attracting graduate> students need not mean recent graduates.> Most universities have a graduate newsletter posted free of charge> to all their alumni. Probably the most effective means of having information> about the ITA and community theatre published would be to have an> article included about what graduates are doing in the community.> Do you have a graduate in your club that might be featured?> ...> Cheers> Grant