WORLD¹S GREATEST AMATEUR THEATRE

[*check out the link below this item]THE WORLDS GREATEST AMATEUR THEATRE FESTIVAL IN THE YEAR 2000Just imagine! Planes, trains, and buses loaded with thousands of amateur theatre people, literally passing each other on the weekend of June 1-4 in the year 2000, all heading for an international mini-theatre- festival somewhere in the world! Altogether these mini-festivals compose The Worlds Greatest Amateur Theatre Festival, an AITA/IATA initiated festival which will involve members all over the world.The idea and the concept were unanimously recommended by the AITA/IATA European Administrators Conference in Lingen, November 1997.The AITA/IATA world council endorsed the idea enthusiastically and decided to use it worldwide as our contribution to the new millenium!MINIFESTIVALS WHAT ARE THEY?One, two, or more theatre groups within the same local community will join forces and invite a similar number of groups from other countries. The hosting groups will develop the artistic/social concept of their own festival and make local arrangements. Typically, the program will include 5 or 6 performances, joint workshops and seminars, social activities, excursions, etc. Local groups will host the visitors (in their private homes), there will be communal meals, and lots of personal contact and exchange.While the concepts may be similar, each mini-festival will develop its own unique character according to the environment, types of groups involved, specific aims and objectives.THE ROLE OF NATIONAL CENTRES will be to identify or to encourage the local groups within a community, facilitate international contacts and advise on organisational/ fund-raising matters. At the bottom-line, the whole idea is based on local involvement.Obviously, mini-festivals will be low-budget and thus easy to cope with for theatre groups interested in the concept!The plan is to ask AITA/IATA National Centres around the world to initiate at least one such international mini-festival in their own country to take place at the same time - the weekend of June 1-4 in 2000.Conceivably, this exciting project could be a worldwide event of astonishing dimensions, and yet very manageable in organizational and financial terms. In each part of the world, Continental or Regional Centres would co-ordinate activity together with the General Secretariat.WHAT TO DO NOW?NATIONAL CENTRES and AFFILIATE MEMBERS should:? Spread the idea and concept within their own membership before the end of this year. Their message should encourage groups to think positively about being one of many organizers.? Identify and contact potential host groups early in 1999, if none have responded to you.? If a group is prepared to organize a festival, please tell the Secretariat, who will help with international contacts, if required.? Many groups in your country may already have very good international relations, and be able to organize a mini-festival without any help at all. It is important, however, that the Secretariat knows about the event in order to promote it and use it for AITA/IATA world-wide PR work.ASSOCIATE MEMBERS:As most associate members are already a group, I encourage them to start planning a festival now, and please tell the Secretariat about your plans.The Secretariat will promote the events and give members regular updates on developments in the Newsletter and homepage, so organizers can feel a part of our global network.The Worlds Greatest Amateur Theatre Festival, together with the World Childrens Theatre Festival in Japan and the first official Youth Theatre Festival in England, will create a great deal of excitement!Thousands of theatre enthusiasts around the world will celebrate the millenium by sharing their art and making friends through theatre. If just 40 countries host one festival inviting 3 groups of 12 people, it would involve 1,500 participants! Lets make it really great, really big in Year 2000.Thomas HaugerWorld President