IDEA was formed initially in 1991 as a means to allow English-speaking people in the area of Dordrecht to participate in the production and performance of amateur theatricals. The major form of production was and still is the annual Christmas Panto - a form which is apparently unknown outside the UK.
Over the years IDEA has produced Panto's (written by our own members) virtually every year, much to the enjoyment of the English resident population and to the delight of many Dutch people, who generally join in wholeheartedly after the initial strangeness has worn off - indeed many have become staunch supporters. Our audience ranges in age from 5 to 85 and as one of the charms of Panto is that the dialogue is frequently unneccessary, their knowledge of English is not important.
IDEA's other productions are used to introduce new members to the boards, to bridge the gap between Panto's, and to raise funds. We have produced numerous revues, Musicals, cooperated in a semi-staged version of My Fair Lady at the Kunstmin Theatre in Dordrecht as well as staging evenings of one-act plays at the Berckepoort and Inter Amicos Theatres in Dordrecht. In 2007 we performed a piece for the "Fringe" in the FEATS festival in Den Haag as well as putting on a serious play for "Drechtsteden festival"
All productions, from rehearsal through to performance, are carried out in English.
It is therefore expected that all members are willing and able to speak and be understood in English.
We are constantly on the lookout for new members for all aspects of the production: writing, design, setbuilding, costumes, stage management, performing, direction, PR and front-of-house. Fresh blood is always welcome!
When in production rehearsals are held once per week at the Cascade Theater in Hendrik Ido Ambacht on Wednesday evenings starting at 20.00. During the immediate leadup to a performance the Director may decide that additional rehearsals are necessary for some or all of the participants, in which case the rehearsal venues and times would be advised.
Preparing any production takes a lot of time and effort we are very conscious of the fact that we are doing it for fun and that our enjoyment is communicated to our audience. This has been borne out by our own experience.