You must be at least 18 years old and pay the Annual Membership fee, which runs each year from 1 July - 30 June.

If we have already cast our current show, you'll need to wait until pre-audition rehearsals start for our next production. However, volunteering to help on our current production is a great way to get to know us and see what's involved.

All classes of Members must agree to the rules of the Society's constitution.

We generally stage two productions per year and hold auditions for each show as follows:

• May production - auditions in January

• November production - auditions in July

If we have already cast our current show, you'll need to wait until pre-audition rehearsals start for our next production. However, volunteering to help on our current production is a great way to get to know us and see what's involved.

If you want to audition for a future show, keep an eye out on our website blog, Instagram, Facebook page or join our email list.

We release audition information via these channels as follows:

• May production - audition info released in December

• November production - audition info released in June

It’s generally not possible for us to offer you an alternative audition date, as we see all auditionees together on the audition days. However, at the Director’s discretion, we may be able to arrange for you to submit a video audition. Please discuss this with us at the pre-audition workshops.

You must have paid the Annual Membership Fee to be able to audition for a show. Being a member does not guarantee that you will be cast in a production.

Process to audition for a show:

• Decide what you’d like to audition for: a principal role or an ensemble/dancer*. You can audition for a maximum of two principal roles. The director may invite you to audition for another role at his/her discretion.

• Attend at least one pre-audition workshop to practise singing with the musical director and be taught the audition dance (for dancers or ensemble).

• Complete the online audition form before the specified deadline (this is accessed via your account on the BATS website once you have paid the annual membership fee)

• Perform your chosen audition piece(s) before the panel on the audition day(s). The panel usually comprises 4-5 people: director, musical director, choreographer, committee member and an independent observer. There may be audition recalls on the same/another day

• Audition outcomes announced

*Principal role - Auditions are held on an individual basis before the panel.

*Ensemble/Dancer - The format may vary for each show, but usually involve both dance/movement and singing (sometimes solo), before the panel in small groups.

If you wish to perform in a show you must pay an Annual Membership Fee and a Performance Fee (payable per production).

Annual Membership Fee
Runs from 1 July - 30 June and it must be paid in order to audition for any production.   All subsequent Annual Membership Fees shall become due on 1 July in each year and shall be paid no later than 31 July.

If you want to help but not perform (e.g. helping with costumes, marketing, props or working backstage etc.), then the Annual Membership Fee is not payable.

Performance Fee
All Members taking part in any Production shall pay the Performance Fee, which shall become due after the  successful cast has been announced.  The fee varies from show-to-show, but is currently around £100.

Other Costs
The Society will pay to hire the majority of costumes, but you may be asked to supply some items, for example for shoes, costumes/accessories, wigs, personal props etc. It’s always a good idea to ask other members if you can borrow items before purchasing anything - someone usually has something suitable you can borrow!

All members are expected to provide their own appropriate rehearsal gear.

Performing in a BATS show requires a commitment of 4-5 months (Jan-May or Jul - Nov). We rehearse every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7:30pm – 10:15pm at Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT. We may also rehearse on 5 or 6 Sundays.

Director setting/rehearsals
We work with a director and musical director to ‘set’ a show.  The director’s setting dates are usually held in blocks of 3-5 consecutive days and, depending on your level of involvement in the show, may require a commitment of between 3-5 evenings per week and/or all of part of a Sunday for the director’s setting rehearsals.

Revision rehearsals
Once the director has 'set' the show, we use ‘revision’ rehearsals with an assistant director/choreographer/musical director to break down individual scenes and dance routines so everyone knows what they are meant to be doing. These rehearsals are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings (7:30pm – 10:15pm).