Drama Society

[TheoGirl]

Is there one at St Andrews? If so is it easy to join or is there an audition process? Around my area there are some very cliquey drama groups, however equally theatre groups can be good places to meet friends... is anyone a member of a St Andrews DramaSoc? x

[RandomMusings]

Hi TheoGirl,

There is so much student theatre in st andrews that you will be spoilt for choice. The name of the society is Mermaids - and every student is automatically a member as part of the Student's Association.

Most weeks see two or three productions taking place - and there are opportunities for everyone - from 1st year to postgrads. And you don't just have to act - you can direct, produce, tech, costume, make-up .... anything really. Every show needs lots of people to make it work.

Look out for the mermaids guide which hopefully will be in your freshers packs - and if you want further information, private message me your e-mail and I can send you an article that I wrote about Mermaids last year.

Finally - as you are a first year - there are lots of opportunities for you in particular. If you feel you want to join the committee, then come along to our meetings, see what we do, and maybe run for the first-year rep... Also, look out for the Fresher's Play later in the year, sign up to Mermaids at the Socs Fayre on the second sunday of freshers week - and look out for details about a play I am putting on in week 3 - Drinking Companion/Mother Figure (Ayckbourn). I am looking for first years to come and be the cast for the show. Auditions in Fresher's Week!

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? The humble question mark?
? So much mightier than the sword?

[TheoGirl]

when are the auditions? or will there be posters and stuff? thanks!

[ParisInTheAutumn]

Although Mermaids likes to portray its self as inclusive that has not been my experience. Despite the many plays put on each year it tends to be the same people who are in them.

[Ewan Husami]

The same people are in the plays because the same people go for auditions.

Everyone's welcome to get stuck in - it's up to you to make the most of it.

Mermaids IS inclusive - Mermaids is the funding body which helps independent production groups put on the shows (Mermaids doesn't put on shows - you do!).

Everyone is already a member of Mermaids - how much more inclusive can you get?

[RandomMusings]

Quoting TheoGirl from 12:36, 5th Sep 2008
when are the auditions? or will there be posters and stuff? thanks!

Yes - details are often put out in the form of posters around town (union bar, mermaids noticeboard, library). If you sign up to the Mermaids e-mails at the socs fayre then all details will be on there. I will post details of the auditions for my show on facebook, and somewhere on the sinner (maybe the events calendar). As I say - if you want to know more, send me an e-mail via the sinner...

Phil

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? The humble question mark?
? So much mightier than the sword?

[UanarchyK]

Quoting TheoGirl from 00:03, 5th Sep 2008
Is there one at St Andrews? If so is it easy to join or is there an audition process? Around my area there are some very cliquey drama groups, however equally theatre groups can be good places to meet friends... is anyone a member of a St Andrews DramaSoc? x

Also, if Mermaids doesn't interest you, I know there are other avenues to express yourself through. Certainly if you like opera, there's the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Keep your eyes open during the Societies Fayre as I'm certain there will be multiple stalls that will appeal to you

[RandomMusings]

Quoting UanarchyK from 05:39, 6th Sep 2008
Also, if Mermaids doesn't interest you, I know there are other avenues to express yourself through. Certainly if you like opera, there's the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Keep your eyes open during the Societies Fayre as I'm certain there will be multiple stalls that will appeal to you

Good point - there is also JustSo! who put on 2 musical's per year (and usually a musical review or something similar too)

G&S is a top society - worth joining just for the banter alone!

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? The humble question mark?
? So much mightier than the sword?

[Bread Roll]

Quoting RandomMusings from 10:26, 6th Sep 2008

G&S is a top society - worth joining just for the banter alone!

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? The humble question mark?
? So much mightier than the sword?

Correct you are Philyero.

Plus G&S has an unauditioned chorus in 1st semester so there's an opportunity to get involved straight away without worrying about the audition process.

Your best bet society wise is at the Societies Fayre - Mermaids, G&S and Just So will all have stalls, and then there is usually a Mermaids Social within the 1st week or so which is a great way to get to know what's happening in student theatre and to get to know the Mermaids committee who I'm sure will be only too happy to help you.



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Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogther quite impossible to describe.....

[Han]

Quoting ewan husami from 15:15, 5th Sep 2008
The same people are in the plays because the same people go for auditions.

Everyone's welcome to get stuck in - it's up to you to make the most of it.

Mermaids IS inclusive - Mermaids is the funding body which helps independent production groups put on the shows (Mermaids doesn't put on shows - you do!).

Everyone is already a member of Mermaids - how much more inclusive can you get?

Hmm. Debateable. Mermaids is ostensibly inclusive, but the committee is - understandably - not necessarily socially inclusive in the same way. Not that they are unfriendly, but as with any group of individuals it is inevitable that a clique-mentality will evolve. Also, once an actor/actress is established, it is often easier for a director to choose someone who is proven and that they've worked with before. I've always tried to cast people according to their talent/character type, but I suspect certain other directors of casting mates in roles that they really weren't appropriate for because of that friend-connection. To get funding from Mermaids you have to have open auditions and you're not allowed to pre-cast, but that won't stop everyone.

Not to put you off auditioning - most people are open-minded, and there are enough different productions to offer you a chance to get in, but theatre people don't really differ that much from location to location...All that said, there really is some brilliant stuff going on in St A's, and it's a great place to try new stuff, so get stuck in, just keep your wits about you

[JohnMac]

Mermaids is wonderfully inclusive! It is a society for all and anyone can get involved. Its not all about the casts either - there is also a lot of folk who do the back stage stuff and the technical side to a production.

There is going to be a big Mermaids meet up in Freshers week and 'Alice and Wonderland' is going up in week 1 of semester to show what sort of shows you can get involved with.

It is a fantastic society that has so much going on! Everyone can and should get involved!

[RandomMusings]

Quoting JohnMac from 19:57, 6th Sep 2008
- there is also a lot of folk who do the back stage stuff and the technical side to a production.

Actually - good point John. I would really like to get a new bunch of people involved in tech for the shows. If there is the demand - I will run some basic tech workshops for the venues in St andrews. It is really great if aspiring directors/producers join these too, as it reduces the pressure on the few of us who regularly do the sound and lights for shows.

Doing tech in st andrews can be hard work, but every show is what you make it - and often the results can be spectacular and really add to a show. It's fun too - you don't miss out on the banter at all. So, that's my Tech Officer speal done - if anyone's interested, I'll make sure that there is a separate sign up sheet for potential techies at the Mermaid's stall at the fresher's fayre!

Phil

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? The humble question mark?
? So much mightier than the sword?

[RandomMusings]

Thanks to all those who signed up for mermaids at the fresher's fayre. Any people who signed up for tech stuff will be getting my lovely e-mails later in the week.

when are the auditions? or will there be posters and stuff? thanks!

The auditions are this Tuesday, 4:30pm til 7pm in the Barron Theatre. Posters will be up to guide the way! Hope to see loads of people there!