Hi

Our group has been thinking for some time about joining a couple of these associations and federations eg NODA and the Manchester Drama Fed. Amongst other things they do is, certainly the Manc Drama Fed, is have an awards night.

Personally I think these are a good idea as it gives an actor/actress a chance to receive an award from their peers and also make other groups aware of you but others disagree with me saying it's full of luvvies and does it matter if you get an award etc.

Are any of you guys and gals in any of the types of associations and if so, have they proved useful?

Thanks

Dave

This is something that amdram.co.uk has been toying with for a while. You might want to read this post. We could certainly add an award ceremony.

Jane

I wasn't sure if I believed in the whole NODA thing - until we started winning awards. Go for it. It can be expensive, as membership depends on your yearly turnover for the group.

Make sure you invite your local reps personally in plenty of time - they get invited to dozens of shows and can only fit in so many. Invite the chairman and area reps too, but don't be disappointed if they can't make it. Ensure you give them all free programmes and a drink, and have someone available to chat to them on arrival/in the interval (if I'm busy I'll arrange perhaps a retired member of the society who enjoys meeting people) and help them enjoy themselves.

And if you don't get an award, don't worry. It's just fun if you do.

I'm a member of a group that's in NODA and has won some prizes. However the last one was a special award for technical excellence not awarded each year. Normally NODA inform you of your award so your group goes down to collect it - which had happened previously - However because this award is special they decided to spring it as a surprise. And they did - you guessed it no one was there (the ceremony was at the far end of our district).

The first I heard that 'd been given this award for lighting was from a friend who was with another group and phoned me..... And the moral of the story is......

.......just assume you've won and go along anyway?