BREAKAWAY THEATRE COMPANY
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BREAKAWAY FROM THE ORDINARY...
Breakaway Theatre Company is a St Albans-based amateur dramatics group. We have been established for 30 years and produce a wide variety of challenging and exciting productions. We often use alternative local venues to create site-specific and outdoor performances.
We are always happy to welcome new people to join us as actors, backstage crew or as part of our production team.
If you are interested in seeing our shows, contact us and ask to join our mailing list and we will keep you informed about our forthcoming performances.
"Breakaway always manage to do something different that is both interesting and unusual, and always well-acted and directed" N.O.D.A.
About Breakaway Theatre Company
Breakaway Theatre Company was created in 1984 by Tony Peters to perform a stunning new play, The Quest, in St Albans Abbey. Under his leadership, the Company went on to stage many more performances, offering an annual open-air production, usually Shakespeare, in summer and new plays and adaptations in the winter months. In more recent years, Breakaway has varied the summer/winter pattern, giving us the flexibility to perform a wider range of shows throughout the year.
How is Breakaway different?
Breakaway is committed to the highest theatrical standards and we are delighted to be home to a number of performers working in the theatre and entertainment industry. At the same time, we seek to provide opportunities, support and encouragement to those new to theatre. This mix of abilities and experience creates a dynamic and creative environment ands brings a sense of community to the group.
Where are we?
Since its inception the Company has maintained and developed its commitment to presenting powerful acts of theatre in exciting and unusual venues. As Breakaway is not limited by the use of a particular theatre, each production is set in a venue appropriate to its style. We have previously performed in the outdoor amphitheatre at St Albans School, The Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans Abbey, SandPit Theatre, St Albans Town Hall, Francis Bacon School Studio, Abbey Theatre, The Inn on The Park and The Abbey Orchard.
Want to be Involved?
Directing
Directors are a crucial part of any theatre company and we are always on the look out for new directors with exciting ideas. If you have the vision and creativity to help us present dynamic and original theatre, please Contact Us with your details.
Acting
Our repertoire of shows has included big Shakespearean productions with a cast of dozens to intimate plays with casts of no more than five or six. Whether you are keen to take the lead or prefer a supporting role you will be welcomed and encouraged to take part.
Contact Us to add your name to our contact list and we will keep you informed of all our auditions. Breakaway charge NO annual membership fee and there is no audition to become part of Breakaway Theatre Company. Once you have joined our contact list, you will continue to receive information from us as long as you want it.
A one-off Performance Fee is payable for each production you take part in - No Play, No Pay!
Technical / Backstage Crew
For those of you with a more practical touch, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with Breakaway as part of our Technical and Backstage teams. Lighting, Sound, Stage Management, set design & building, props, costume & make-up are just some of the myriad of roles needed to put a production together.
Many hands make light work, so even if you have no experience but plenty of enthusiasm, Contact Us to let us know how you'd like to get involved.
Production
Breakaway has been and continues to be supported by the people who get involved with the Production side of running the company. If you have an eye for detail, a flair for publicity, great organisation skills or are simply energetic, enthusiastic and keen to be part of a fantastic team, Contact Us to let us know what you can do!
Awards
It's not all about the winning, but we are very proud of the awards and commendations we have received!
Welwyn Drama Festival, 2012
Best New Playwright - Pete Hawes for Sofa Story
NODA District Awards 2010
Best Male Performance - Billy Bradbury (Blue Remembered Hills)
Most Innovative Production: Blue Remembered Hills & Volpone (Joint Award)
Highly Commended Male Performance: Chris Norton-Walker (Volpone)
NODA District Awards 2009
Best Minimalistic Set - Romeo & Juliet