Exeter University Drama Society

Exeter University Drama Society is a student-run theatre company based at the University of Exeter, producing a wide range of plays and musicals throughout the academic year, often in collaboration with other University of Exeter societies, such as the Exeter University Music Society and the Exeter University Film Society. The society has a long history of showcasing the talents of its members, including actors, directors, and playwrights, with many going on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, working with companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. The society's productions often take place at the Northcott Theatre or the Exeter Phoenix, and have been supported by organizations such as the Arts Council England and the British Film Institute. Members of the society have also had the opportunity to work with renowned theatre directors, including Trevor Nunn and Sam Mendes, and have performed at festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

● History

The Exeter University Drama Society was founded in the early 20th century, with its first recorded production being a performance of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the University of Exeter's Washington Singer Laboratories. Over the years, the society has produced a wide range of plays, from classics like Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and Arthur Miller's The Crucible to more contemporary works like Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Caryl Churchill's Cloud Nine. The society has also been involved in various theatre festivals, including the National Student Drama Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has collaborated with other university drama societies, such as the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and the Oxford University Dramatic Society. Notable theatre companies that have supported the society's productions include the Royal Court Theatre and the Young Vic, and the society has also received funding from organizations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

● Productions

The Exeter University Drama Society produces a wide range of plays and musicals throughout the academic year, often in collaboration with other University of Exeter societies, such as the Exeter University Music Society and the Exeter University Film Society. Recent productions have included musicals like Stephen Sondheim's Company and Jonathan Larson's Rent, as well as plays like David Hare's Stuff Happens and Sarah Kane's 4.48 Psychosis. The society has also produced several original plays, written by its members, including works like Timberlake Wertenbaker's Our Country's Good and Mark Ravenhill's Shopping and F***ing. The society's productions often take place at the Northcott Theatre or the Exeter Phoenix, and have been supported by organizations like the Theatre Royal, Plymouth and the Bristol Old Vic. The society has also collaborated with theatre companies like the Kneehigh Theatre and the Punchdrunk, and has received critical acclaim from publications like The Guardian and The Times.

● Membership

Membership of the Exeter University Drama Society is open to all students at the University of Exeter, regardless of their academic discipline or level of theatre experience. The society has a diverse membership, with students from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, including actors, directors, playwrights, and technicians. Members of the society have the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of theatre production, from acting and directing to set design and lighting. The society also offers workshops and training sessions in various theatre skills, including improvisation, physical theatre, and playwriting, led by industry professionals like Mike Leigh and Phyllida Lloyd. Members of the society have gone on to pursue careers in the entertainment industry, working with companies like the BBC and the ITV, and have also been involved in film productions like Harry Potter and James Bond.

● Notable Alumni

The Exeter University Drama Society has a long history of producing talented actors, directors, and playwrights, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in the entertainment industry. Notable alumni of the society include actors like Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, who have appeared in films like Skyfall and The Prestige, and directors like Sam Mendes and Tom Hooper, who have directed films like American Beauty and The King's Speech. The society's alumni have also worked in television, with credits including shows like Downton Abbey and Sherlock, and have been involved in theatre productions at venues like the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other notable alumni include playwrights like Tom Stoppard and Caryl Churchill, who have written plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Cloud Nine, and have been recognized with awards like the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award.

● Activities and Events

The Exeter University Drama Society is involved in a wide range of activities and events throughout the academic year, including productions, workshops, and social events. The society hosts regular auditions for its productions, which are open to all members, and also offers training sessions in various theatre skills, including acting, directing, and playwriting. The society also participates in theatre festivals, such as the National Student Drama Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has collaborated with other university drama societies, such as the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and the Oxford University Dramatic Society. The society's events have been supported by organizations like the Arts Council England and the British Film Institute, and have been recognized with awards like the National Theatre Award and the Theatre Award UK.

● Affiliations and Partnerships

The Exeter University Drama Society has affiliations and partnerships with a number of theatre companies and organizations, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. The society has also collaborated with other university drama societies, such as the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and the Oxford University Dramatic Society, and has participated in theatre festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the National Student Drama Festival. The society's partnerships have been supported by organizations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and have enabled the society to produce high-quality theatre productions and provide its members with valuable theatre experience and training. The society is also a member of the National Union of Students and the Theatres Trust, and has been recognized with awards like the Theatre Award UK and the National Theatre Award. Category:University of Exeter