Amateur

The term Amateur

From the French amateur (someone who loves something). Thus, used as a noun, an amateur is someone who undertakes something for the love of it, not for financial gain. This as opposed to a Professional. As an adjective it can refer to a person or activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)

Amateurism can be seen in both a negative and positive light. Amateurs have in many ways over the ages contributed to many fields form the sciences to thte arts. On the other hand it can be an indication of below standard achievement by people untrtained in a field. Thus it is at times seen as a pejorative term in some quarters(e.g. Someone is described as "merely an amateur", i.e. is untrained, does not undertake the acticvity "seriously" or at a "professional level", etc)

Amateur theatre

In general terms, the word amateur derives from the French term amateur (derived from the verb aimer = to love, hence someone who loves something). Thus, used as a noun, an amateur is someone who undertakes something for the love of it, not for financial gain. This as opposed to a professional. As an adjective it can refer to a person or activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)

Amateur theatre thus, simply means theatre made by people who are not professionals, sinmply for the love of it. This encompasses a very wide range of performance activities of course, over the ages, cultures and geographical regions.

For more information on Amateur theatre go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_dramatics

For more information

See also Amateur Theatre in South Africa

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