Community theatre is bred in the bone for most actors and actresses

“I do make somewhat of a living through theatre doing different gigs, working backstage,’’ she says.

“The rest of the time I work in retail or government jobs, as most community actors do.’’

Still, Bruce embraces each and every opportunity to stage her love of theatre.

Practically born to entertain, she started modelling for local stores in Souris at age three and advanced to musical theatre from elementary school through high school.

After studying dramatic arts, she has worked onstage and backstage at the Kings Playhouse, the St. Peter’s Courthouse Theatre, Don’t Ye Know Theatre and, most recently, at The Watermark Theatre through the North Shore Players.

Samantha Bruce goes over the lines during rehearsal as she tackles the job of directing The Kings Players in “Pygmalion” for the Community Theatre Festival.

AT A GLANCE:

What: 2017 P.E.I. Community Theatre Festival

When: Today at the Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The short plays (30 minutes or less each) run till about 5:30 p.m.

Admission: Pay-what-you-may.

The plays:

1. “A Partridge in a Pear Tree” by Lowell Swortzell

The Director: John Hardy

The Players: The Murray Players consisting of Donna Penny, Garry Herring, John Hardy, Linda Palmer, Carolyn Somers, Myra Taylor, Mary Lou Maclure, Jamie Gardner, Judah Vaniderstine, Willow Vaniderstine, Simone Vaniderstine.

2. “Dining Room” by A.R. Gurney

Directors: Terry Pratt and Sharon MacDonald

The Players: ACT (a community theatre) performers Teresa Wright, Noah Nazim, Corin McFadden, and Barbara Rhodenhizer.

3. “ A Trip to the Dentist”

The Director: Developed by Gary Gaudet and players.

The Players: The Tracadie Players Joanne Schieck, Karen Hooper, Brian Craig, Gary Gaudet, Matt Arsenault, and Cliff Campbell.

4. “Tales from Long Ago”

Director: Developed by Julie and Richard Pellissier-Lush

The Players: Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors Dion Bernard, Jessica Francis, Riley Bernard, Caleb Acorn, Julie Pellissier-Lush, Sean Pelissier-Lush, Richard Pellissier-Lush, and Keegan Bernard

5. “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw

Director: Samantha Bruce

The Players: The Kings Players Gordon Cobb, Sarah Bruce, Gillian Gallivan, and Ian Byrne.

6. Improve Fun

Director: None. Flying by the seat of their pants.

The Players: To be announced

Mi'kmaq Heritage Actors, from left, Jessica Francis, Sean Pellissier-Lush and Richard Pellissier-Lush, perform in “Tales from Long Ago”, one of the stories from the rich stock of Mi'kmaq culture.

“I grew up doing it and if I could do it full time I would,’’ says the 27-year-old Charlottetown resident.

“It’s just always been a part of my life, and I can’t imagine living without it.’’

Bruce is one of the many players – well, in this case director – involved in the 2017 P.E.I. Community Theatre Festival running today at the Carrefour Theatre in Charlottetown.

She directs “Pygmalion”, one of the six short productions (each runs 30 minutes or less) being staged at the eighth event, which is produced by ACT (a community theatre). The festival marks the 56^th celebration of World Theatre Day.

Community theatre is vibrant in Prince Edward Island.

There are roughly two dozen local drama groups and hundreds of amateur actors and backstage workers.

“It’s an important part of the fabric of the Island’s community life,’’ says Rob Thompson, who organized the Community Theatre Festival, along with Kate Martin and Kim Johnston.

Thompson says the festival offers a full taste of theatre.

Sarah Bruce as Eliza Dolittle and Gordon Cobb as Professor Henry Higgins rehearse earlier this week for “Pygmalion”, one of six productions being staged today as part of the Community Theatre Festival in Charlottetown.

“We are going to have everything from improv to slapstick comedy with classic drama in between,’’ he says.

Performing in community theatre, as in any theatre, is like a drug that continually draws performers seeking a special high.

“For an actor, there is nothing like taking a bow,’’ says Thompson.

“Actors get this wonderful feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie.’’

Bruce’s sister, Sarah Bruce, 23, of Charlottetown recalls clearly that buzz she felt during her first speaking role on stage, playing an angel at the age of 13.

“It was a thrill,’’ she says. “As soon as I hit the stage with my first song I was just like, ‘yup, this is the place. This is where I need to be.’ ’’

Sarah has been heavily involved in community theatre, starting Don’t Ye Know Theatre out of high school, putting on productions every summer since 2010.

She has performed in about 15 productions and is filled with nervous energy every time she is set to step on stage.

“You have to sit me in a corner, calm me down, before I even get on stage,’’ she says.

“Once I’m on stage I find my place again. I get back into character and lose my world and forget my audience is even there sometimes.’’

Directed by her sister, Sarah is playing Eliza Dolittle in Pygmalion at the P.E.I. Community Theatre Festival.

She is determined to make a career in theatre but has no illusions of hitting the big screen or starring on Broadway.

Community theatre is her niche.

Currently studying carpentry at Holland College in Summerside, her dream is to become a set designer. She still, however, would like to strut her stuff on stage.

“My dream is to at least work in a theatre for my whole life doing everything if I can,’’ she says.

Sarah knows many other Islanders share her passion for community theatre.

“We like to entertain people,’’ she explains.

“We have that personality just to entertain.’’