National Operatic and Dramatic Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

NODA has a membership of 2500 amateur theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to tiny village halls.

Founded in 1899, NODA is divided into eleven regions, each headed by a regional councillor who sits on the national council (the ruling body of the Association), supported by a network of regional representatives. These 190 volunteers are the vital link to the grass roots of the Association, the amateur theatre groups themselves. NODA is administered from its Headquarters in Peterborough.

There is a broad spectrum of ages involved in amateur theatre nationwide, from a burgeoning number of youth groups to adult companies which meet the needs of all levels of both performers, whether dramatic or musical, and enthusiasts involved backstage, front of house or in administration. Each production created is a genuine community event.

NODA aims:

To give a shared voice to the amateur theatre sector
To help amateur societies and individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance
To provide leadership and advice to enable amateur theatre to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century

Benefits of membership include access to NODA’s advice service at national and regional level, representation to government, funding agencies, rightsholders and the media, and access to conferences, workshops and seminars to help share information on best practice. NODA also holds an annual residential Summer School (with bursaries available) offering training from professional tutors in drama performance, music directing, musical theatre, stage management and other courses for performers, directors and technicians. It publishes regular regional magazines and its quarterly NODA National News, and holds annual national and regional Programme and Poster competitions, to encourage the highest standards in design. The NODA Library and Meeting Room provides access to a comprehensive research archive of scores, libretti and reference books, as well as an attractive room for meetings.

NODA’s trading arm, NODA Limited, acts as a mechanism for raising additional funds for the Association. Its publishing department, NODA Pantomimes, offers over 100 scripts by such popular authors as Leonard Caddy, Peter Denyer, Stephen Duckham, Ron Hall, Peter Long & Keith Rawnsley, Robert Marlowe, John Morley and David Swan, and other publications including The Slipper and the Rose, a musical based on the film of the same name, and practical guides for performers and directors. Its Sheet Music Service can supply popular and obscure songs, some out of print. It also offers Long Service Awards, and discounts on playscripts, libretti and scores, theatre books from the catalogue of A & C Black, and make-up from Charles H. Fox.

NODA Insurance, provided by Lloyd & Whyte and underwritten by AXA, offers a comprehensive insurance package for amateur theatre groups (at a 30% discount to NODA members).