Difference between revisions of "Amateur"

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The French term [[Amateur]] occurs in various combinations in [[English]], [[Dutch]] and [[Afrikaans]], e.g [[Amateur Performer]], [[Amateur Theatre]], [[Amateur toneel]], etc and can be used of a person, a venue, a company, a society and so on.   
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[[Amateur]]is a term  which occurs in various combinations in [[English]], [[Dutch]] and [[Afrikaans]], e.g [[Amateur Performer]], [[Amateur Theatre]], [[Amateur toneel]], etc and can be used of a person, a venue, a company, a society and so on.   
  
= The term Amateur =
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= The term [[Amateur]] =
  
 
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|professional]]. As an adjective it can refer to a person, or an activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)
 
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|professional]]. As an adjective it can refer to a person, or an activity done without the aim of financial gain (amateur painter, amateur sport, amateur theatre, etc)
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'''For more information''' go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur
 
'''For more information''' go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur
  
= Amateur Theatre =
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= [[Amateur]] Theatre =
  
 
== As an activity ==
 
== As an activity ==
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See also [[Community theatre]]
 
See also [[Community theatre]]
  
== Return to ==
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= Return to =
 
 
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Themes|South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries]]

Revision as of 06:28, 9 September 2016

Amateuris a term which occurs in various combinations in English, Dutch and Afrikaans, e.g Amateur Performer, Amateur Theatre, Amateur toneel, etc and can be used of a person, a venue, a company, a society and so on.

The term Amateur

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 an 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)

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

Amateur Theatre

As an activity

Since the word amateur refers to someone who undertakes something (or to something undertaken) for the love of it, not for financial gain, Amateur theatre simply means theatre made by people who are not professionals, but merely for the love of it. (Or it may refer to productions or the organisations presenting them which are done "not for gain".) )This encompasses a very wide range of performance activities of course, over the ages, cultures and geographical regions.

In many countries, also in South Africa, so-called community theatre is often also an amateur or at least Semi-professional activity.

The Dutch term for this is Liefhebbery Tooneel and the early Afrikaans terms were [[Liefhebbery Toneel], Liefhebbery Teater and Amateur Toneel, though today the Anglicised Amateur Teater is most common.

As a venue

On occasion the term "Amateur Theatre" is used (formally and informally) as the name for a performance space or venue.

For examples in South Africa see inter alia Garrison Theatre, Barracks Theatre, Hope Street Theatre, Liefhebbery Tooneel,

See also the entries under

As the name for a company

The term amateur occurs in the names of many theatre associations, societies and companies, combined with the terms "Drama" or "Dramatic", "Theatre" or "Theatrical".

For a general overview of a large number of South African amateur companies, see the entry under Amateur Theatre in South Africa

For the names of specific or individual amateur companies, associations and societies, use the ESAT Search Function function (upper right of the page), or see the entries under Venues.

For more information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_dramatics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur

See also Amateur Theatre in South Africa

See also Community theatre

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