T HE Miller Centre, Caterham, is set to throw open its doors to the public as part of Caterham Open Weekend on Saturday (June 15) from 10am to 4pm.
In the evenings, The Miller Centre Theatre & Club is a fully equipped 200-seat theatre while during the day it is home to 17 different leisure activities, from art to yoga.
Many local people will have seen the front of house areas and maybe have visited the extensive wardrobe to hire costumes for fancy dress parties or special events. But on Saturday they can see behind the scenes – the control room, stage, dressing rooms and carpentry workshop – and talk to the people who design, build, direct, perform and crew the nine professional standard theatrical productions put on each year.
Alternatively, visitors may want to find out about The Club and its leisure activities.
For those with a bit of time to spare, The Miller Centre also offers the opportunity to be part of it. Volunteers are needed to staff the administration, box office, wardrobe, set construction, refreshments and front of house teams as well as more technical roles – sound, lighting, décor, stage management and properties.
The resident Theatre Company is constantly seeking new talent – their membership comprises actors, dancers, singers and musicians as well as directors and choreographers. The next season of nine plays offers ample opportunity for new faces. Auditions are open to all – see www.millercentretheatre.org for details.
Young people will be particularly welcome at the open day – they have their own thriving drama group – The Young Players – who perform regularly in the theatre.
Admission is free of charge and complimentary refreshments will be available.