Hobbies are often considered a thing of adolescence, but more and more adults are getting involved in extracurriculars. The Australian Bureau of Statistics released stats in 2022, and 2023 one third of Australians take part in at least one culture activity, and similarly one third of Australian adults take part in a physical activity.

With social media boosting the idea of runclubs as the new Tinder, described as ‘places to meet like-minded people’, it's a wonder why those who have an interest in the arts are yet to see this boost of popularity in their respective activities. Although the stat shows one third of

Australians engaged in cultural activities, a mere 0.4% took part in theatre or comedy shows.

Activities like paint and sip and pottery and blowing up. The search for pottery has been on the incline since 2021, remaining at a historical peak since then, Following TikTok trends, and the influx of celebrity hobbyists, But why is there such a gap in the market of drama and theatre?

“It is a scary step to walk into a room where you don't know anyone. Theatre has that extra step that you're presenting those parts of yourself that are a little bit scary. “Joshua Lowe, a member of Waterdale community theatre group, said.

There is a fear associated with putting yourself in front of an audience, however amateur theatre comes with many more avenues for individuals to express themselves creatively besides the stage.

Alexandra Rendon volunteers in the costume department at Waterdale, “It was so interesting to see how things are put together from start to finish...It's fantastic to be a part of a team”. Creative outlets have been credited with improving mental health and improving loneliness.

Lawyer Sarah Dung has been taking part in amateur theatre for the past 3 years.
“It's a perfect work-life balance because work as a lawyer can be a bit stressful at times and so this is a very good creative outlet.”

Alongside performing on stage Sarah is on the committee, aiding with applications for grants and the organisation of fundraising events.

Last year the theatre company received $6,500 in grant funding from local councils. Comparatively Merri-Bek netball club received $30,000 over a three-year period from the same funding scheme.

It's not news that funding in the arts is dying, with musical festivals being cancelled, and an increase to cost of living, arts are being sidelined.

With grants being the centralised income for theatre companies like Sarah’s it’s unsurprising advertising their existence has fallen behind.

“There’s not a lot of awareness unless you're really in the community. I think if you're out of it, then you have no clue that it even exists.” Melanie Verhagen, the lead in Waterdale’s upcoming 9 to 5 musical said.

When thinking of amateur theatre, it feels like it's the most time-consuming activity you could pick up to fill a creative hole. But if we break it down it's not so different from a sports season.

With most clubs training once a week minimum, with a weekly game, that's upwards of a five-hour weekly commitment. Not to mention many sports seasons run for six months, with an added two months of pre-season.

Some might say that the level of commitment sport can be is a lot.

Theatre mimics a similar schedule however unlike most sports a shows preparation and performance is a three-month commitment.

“It's definitely a commitment, but then again... you go back to your normal life and you miss it.” Melanie said.

The answers for why so little of our society takes part in community theatre isn't entirely clear, a lack of advertising, personal anxieties, a fear of time commitment all could be at play. But perhaps a boom like that of run clubs and pottery, is what amateur theatre needs to break into the mainstream.