Ive been thinking about joining the local community theatre but I have no idea what to expect, Have you ever been to one? 
i have actually,  Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities
Neat! Yeah I just am really nervous about performing in front of a live audience. Can you get paid for acting at a local community theatre? I wanna start an acting career. 
some can but it is not common,  It may refer to theatre that is made entirely by a community with no outside help
Oh ok yeah that makes sense, I am curious though how long have community theatre's been around for? 
they have been around forever you would be please to know that  Community theatres range in size from small groups led by single individuals that perform in borrowed spaces to large permanent companies
Id like to go to a small one first, that way I dont have as much stage freight. I am scared of large audiences. Do you have any tips for how I can start making myself less nervous in front of a crowd?
i have heard  Many community theatres are successful and some turn a profit