by Chris Hunter
The Theatre means so much to me. The space is a refuge for me. Growing up in a turbulent space, not having a strong grasp on my own identity, I often found great solace in the theatre. I didn’t need to pretend or be something I wasn’t. Nor did anyone have to know unless I wanted them to, it was irrelevant to the space and I loved that. It was a facilitator. In that space, I learned how to be a better performer but more than that I learnt how to really engage with strangers and meet new people. The space gave me confidence, it reminded me time and time again that I was worthwhile and good at what I was doing there, something I often did not feel at school. Because of that empowerment, I was more confident with the other young people within the space and was able to make friends easily. I attribute my social growth entirely to the theatre. I learned not just how to socialize, but how to be a good person in general, how to care and be cared for.
The theatre means the world to me. It is a second home that makes me feel safe and secure. When new people enter that space and then are rude or arrogant (the theatre world am I right !?) it is almost a disrespect to the space itself. The space has such a powerful meaning to me that there are rules and guidelines to follow that no one has specifically put in place, yet are mostly respected by all. Sort of like a library with its common rule of quiet. Ultimately the Theatre means community to me, personally performing is not my main priority, but the community that the Theatre fosters is everything. To walk into a space where everyone knows your name and they’re always glad you came, you want to be where you can see the trouble are, all the same, you want to be where everybody knows your name (piano part) (dun dudududu dun dun).
Beaumaris Theatre first came into my life when I was thirteen going on fourteen. My two best friends from high school both did drama classes there and asked me if I wanted to join them because it was so much fun and there were some really cool people there to meet. From there I was cast in many community productions and performed in a stage show at least twice a year. I had many events there such as award nights, trivia nights and even birthdays. The place became like a second home to me in my early adolescent years. I felt safe there and I trusted the people within those walls more with my feelings and personality. I take my responsibilities very seriously because I respect both the space that I am in (the community performing space in which people give up their time to create theatre together, and the place (an old building that I respect as if it were my own mother). It is a community space that I could be alone in and not feel lonely or awkward or uncomfortable. While it is a shared place and I share it happily, I also feel like it is my place alone. As do many others. I've have known and been apart of the Theatre for so long, I and many others have attached a character to her, she is a classy old lady that keeps it together (just like my own mother).
There are many different relationships that I have with the people of Beaumaris Theatre. As previously stated the friendships I had prior through high school were cemented by my coming to the theatre's drama program. I made many friends within the space that enjoyed me for my quick wit and fast thinking improv skills. I was a confident performer and through channels within the theatre did many shows over the years that meant meeting more and more friends. Many have had a significant role in my growth and life. Some still involved, some life long friends and some drifting with the passage of time. There is also the relationship of my early mentor Debbie Keyt who both ran drama and directed shows… and happened to be my best friends mother. She was one of the first people in my life to truly applaud me for my interests and see potential in me. Through her, I truly believe I became the person I am today. In the community, I am surrounded by passionate people that teach and preach what they love, community-based people that constantly stand and speak up for the best interests of both the people in the place and the place itself. The place has given me not just hundreds of friends, but also countless stage mums and other theatre family.
The theatre physically changes every year. With tireless effort from the people that run it. For me, the meaning of the place has changed largely around the roles that I've taken on in the years. As a student and young person at times, I was nervous around new people. But because I was given agency in the space I became apart of the welcome community, and usually would attempt to welcome people with a joke and a smile.
When I was eighteen I came out as gay in many different communities, the Theatre was one of the first because I felt so safe and trust so many with my true self in that space. With that coming out it was as if the chains were broken and I could be my true honest self. Those within the space reacted with nothing but support and kindness and love. I tear up even thinking about it. In many ways, those days were the hardest and in many more ways, the theatre saved my life, both metaphorically and literally. Later in the same year, an important member of the theatre passed away. Lee was a young person that lead many and welcomed all, and with his passing, I saw what it truly meant for the community to come together and embrace those around them. I saw what it was to be loved and to love in return. I remember thinking that when my time comes I truly hope that I am loved as well as he was.
Finally in my more recent years I have found a new passion in YouthWork and volunteering that that has taken me away from being able to do as much with the Theatre both on and off stage and which has caused me a large amount of stress, both because I feel I don't contribute enough, but also because I often feel that without the Theatre who am I? I am often reassured that I will always have a place in the Theatre and know this is true. Truly reminding me why I entered the space and why I will never truly leave. It reminds me that if I so choose if I never grow up, I’ll never grow old.