Durham Student Theatre

Congratulations to everyone receiving A-Level Results today! We look forward to seeing you in September! Look out for the Performing Arts team at the Freshers' Fair 🎭

Happy A Level results day! 🤝
Our phone lines are very busy at the moment but our friendly Admissions team are available via webform and happy to answer any questions you may have. 💬

Webform ➡ https://brnw.ch/21wBJ5E

Amazing to see Sightline Productions 'Chance' listed in the "Durham Fringe Early Picks". Stay tuned for more info about DST shows at both Durham and Edinburgh coming soon 👀

Durham Fringe Festival: Our Early Picks Durham Fringe Festival is sometimes framed as the fringe just before the Edinburgh Fringe. That does it no justice at all as it is a true fringe in its own right, briging the city of Durham to life…

together with Durham Student Theatre have reopened applications for Edinburgh Fringe Grants for a week. This fund is available to both theatre productions and individuals involved in them.

Applications are to be submitted via Microsoft form, which can be found here, in the upcoming weekly email, and on the du_performing arts instagram stories.

https://forms.office.com/e/wLuTAJsBZH

To apply on behalf of a theatre company you will need:
- basic information about the show
- details of expenditure and how it will boost your show
- a production budget
- a publicity plan

To apply as an individual you will need:
- details about the show you’re attending with
- details of intended expenditure and how it will better facilitate your time at fringe (be specific!)

*these grants are available to DST and DST affliliated companies, and to members of Durham Student Theatre that are visiting the fringe with a production, not those attending solely as an audience member.

Deadline: 23:59 28th June

If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

EGM and President's Committee Reminder!

Congratulations to everyone for making it through exam season!

We will be having a short EGM on the morning of Wednesday June 7th at 11am to elect the new DST President, followed by the regular presidents' meeting. This will take place in ER201. Every theatre company must be represented by the president and this is a compulsory event!
Please email Georgia at [email protected] if an alternative exec member will be sent in place of the president.

See you all there!

Thinking of applying for DST president?

Here are the prerequisites needed, taken from our standing orders:

The President who shall be the nominal head of DST. They should have proven themselves through one of the following before being elected President:
• Having produced, directed, or tech directed at least three shows affiliated with DST, at least two of which must have been performed in Durham.
• Having produced, directed, or tech directed at least one show which performed in The Assembly Rooms Theatre.
• Having held a position on the DST Committee in a previous year.
• Having held a position on a theatre company executive committee in a previous year.
• It is recommended that they had worked with at least two different theatre companies before being elected.

This could be you! To run please fill out the form in the weekly email and email Jennifer at [email protected] by 23:59 on June 4th. The EGM will be on the morning of June 7th to elect the new DST President.

Good luck!

Graduating this year? Durham University Performing Arts are reopening applications for the role of Theatre Development Co-Ordinator 2023/24.
This is an exciting one-year opportunity for a current Durham University student who will be graduating at the end of the academic year or a recent graduate. The post holder will work with Assistant Head of Performing Arts (theatre) within the student enrichment directorate supporting the development of student theatre.
The post holder will be responsible for society development of Durham Student Theatre and student theatre as a whole at Durham, theatre community projects, marketing and promotion of theatre at Durham, working with the Vice Chancellor Arts Scholars, grants, sponsorships and facilitating the relationship with The Assembly Rooms Theatre. More details can be found in the Job Description here: https://durhamuniversity.sharepoint.com/:b:/t/MusicandTheatre/EUqP3PqIynlOppkpiHICCiQBfsrrM1JOgESkBeNRIfS0Ng?e=WtzyYL

PLEASE NOTE: you must be a Durham university student in their final year of study to apply.
Applications should be submitted with an up-to-date CV along with a covering letter to [email protected], please put ‘TDC Job Application’ subject line. The Deadline for this is 23:59 June 4th. Any questions, feel free to get in touch with Alice directly, or contact Anna, our current TDC on [email protected].

durhamuniversity-my.sharepoint.com

Congratulations to the new DST committee! Thanks all for attending the AGM and well done to all participants who husted whether virtually or in person. The standard was incredibly high and we are so fortunate as a society to have such enthusiasm for our committee 💜.

We are excited to see what each individual brings to their role in 23/24!

We're reopening for the position of DST President for '23-'24. To run please fill in this form and email Jennifer at [email protected] by 23:59 on June 4th.

We'll be having a short EGM on the morning of June 7th to elect the new DST President. Every theatre company must be represented. Please email Georgia at [email protected] if the President can't come, and which exec member you'll be sending in their stead. We have requested a room for 11am, but the final time and place will be confirmed in a later email.

Stay tuned for more and good luck with the rest of exam season! 💜

Please vote in the DST election!
Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM last Wednesday and to our amazing candidates who husted. The standard was outstanding - and now, it’s over to you!

Please vote for who you would like to see on next years DST executive committee. Voting is open until midnight on the 17th, and the manifestos are available to view via a link on the weekly email!

Check the email for the link too - or find it on the story!

Happy voting!

Durham University Student Performing Arts together with Durham Student Theatre are now accepting applications for Edinburgh Fringe Grants. This fund is available to both theatre productions and individuals involved in them.

CLOSING DATE: 23:59 Wednesday 14th June 2023

Applications are submitted via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/wLuTAJsBZH

To apply on behalf of a theatre company you will need:
- basic information about the show
- details of expenditure and how it will boost your show
- a production budget
- a publicity plan

To apply on behalf of yourself you will need:
- details about the show you're attending with
- details of intended expenditure and how it will better facilitate your time at fringe

* these grants are available to DST and DST affiliated companies, and to members of Durham Student Theatre that are visiting fringe with a production, not those attending solely as an audience member.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected]

Calling all members of DST!

Please take 5 minutes to complete the annual survey, it goes a long way to informing the future paths that student theatre takes, and therefore can have a large impact on the experience of theatre-makers at Durham.

This is completely anonymous so please be as honest and constructive as possible. It will only take you around 5 minutes, and is a great way to have an impact on student theatre!

Thank you in advance :)

https://forms.office.com/e/uMJyPN6YzV

Its that time already!
AGM TIME!
We will be having this AGM to decide on the new DST executive committee for the 2023/24 year. Please note that this is mandatory for presidents and that all theatre companies are expected to be represented! Everyone is welcome to come along, watch, listen to husts and wel questions - it’s your chance to have your say on the future of our society!

We will see you in ER201, Wednesday 3rd May 2-5pm 🎉!

It is time for… The Epiphany Round Up!

What an incredible second term to the 22/23 year!

We had over 20 shows take place in our incredibly busy 10 week term, not including the 9DDF plays that took place in week 4! That’s over 30 shows altogether folks! A staggering achievement and a huge congratulations to all casts, crews and committees that worked their socks off to make those shows happen 💛.

A huge thank you to all the individuals who have put in so much effort to make sure our society is abundant with opportunities. This round up has featured shows, but it has not covered the cabaret nights, fundraising initiatives, workshops, and other events that occur alongside our productions. We are so proud of all we achieve as a society, and the variety of experiences available is a true testament to the talent of our members 💫✨.

We proud that Durham Student Theatre is a rich and vibrant community, excelling at all levels, from college theatre to the shows that took place in the Gala theatre, to the productions heading to Edinburgh Fringe - and on tour - and beyond! We couldn’t do any of this without you all, so thank you everyone for making our society the best and the brightest 💫

All in all - it’s been a cracking term, and you should all be immensely proud! Congratulations 🎉

We hope you have a terrific and restful break 🎭

If you haven’t had a chance to be involved in something yet - check your email! Run for an exec, try out a new Creative or Production Team Role, have a go at auditioning for something! There’s so many opportunities, and we cannot wait to see what you do next term. ✨🥳

LETS GO EASTER 2023!

Come join the DST EXEC 2023/24!

Do you love our society? Do you want to have an impact about how it’s run, make improvements, solve issues…? Then send in an expression of interest for a role that suits you!

Expressions of interest for next year's DST Committee open from now until April 9th, when we will open for applications. You can express interest for multiple roles! If you're unsure on anything, please reach out to the current role holder. To express interest, please email returning Officer Georgia at [email protected].

The roles and current holders are as follows:

Jennifer Lafferty, President [email protected]
Georgia Malkin, Secretary [email protected]
Harry Clipston, Technical Manager [email protected]
Sean Farrell, Treasurer [email protected]
Florence Lunnon, Publicity Officer [email protected]
Olga Kwan, Welfare and Inclusivity Officer [email protected]
Rachel Wilkinson, First Night Editor [email protected]
Emily Phillips, Events Coordinator [email protected]
Tia Fay, Festivals Secretary [email protected]
Amy Davis, Workshops Secretary [email protected]
Annie Gidney, Outreach and Campaigns Officer [email protected]

The ‘Keep it Fringe’ fund will support artists bringing work to Fringe 2023.

This fund is a pilot as part of the Fringe Society’s wider fundraising campaign for the Fringe, and our ambition is to provide direct financial support for Fringe artists every year. We recognise that these funds won’t make or break a show but should provide a little financial help to those who want to take part in the Fringe.

What is the fund?

The total fund is £100,000, which will be distributed as 50 awards of £2,000. These funds are designed to help artists on their Fringe 2023 journey and can be spent on any costs associated with their show. The Fringe Society will award 100% of the funding up-front and there will be no end-of-grant reporting required.

The fund is for individual artists and companies bringing work to the Fringe in 2023.

Find out more here: https://www.edfringe.com/learn/news-and-events/fringe-societys-honorary-president-phoebe-waller-bridge-launches-new-ps100k-fund-for-artists?fbclid=IwAR2FKTLDf__wIEVc1JpwVhOlpZFGb44e71rOJJRz-wuhE4Kn_SQSqkgwBJc

A message from the Vice Chancellor:

The UK Government has announced that student loans, grants and allowances (including for living costs, dependents' grants, disabled students' allowance and students starting masters and doctoral degree courses) will be increasing by 2.8% for academic year 2023/24. This will undoubtedly be challenging for some of our students.

In dialogue with Russell Group universities, the Government has asked for quantitative evidence of student hardship (current and into the future) caused by an increase in the CoL. We are conducting a survey along with other Russell Group universities to help us quantify the increase in private rents anticipated next year. We want to use this as evidence to persuade the Government to make more funding available to support students in 2023/24. We are also trying to gauge the extent to which the increase in rental costs has impacted on students' decisions to take up paid part-time job work in the next academic year.

We ask that only non-finalist UG students, plus PG students, complete the survey given that the significant majority of final year UG students will not be staying in Durham next academic year. This afternoon we will be circulating the link to these students directly. For your information, the survey can be found at

https://forms.microsoft.com/e/xu4uwXQcbc.

The form will close on 17 March.

THIS THURSDAY!

Alice Aucott (Student Theatre Assistant Manager), Nicola Candlish (Senior Manager - Performing Arts) and Quentin Sloper (Director of Student Experience Directorate) will be in PCL050 (Palatine Centre) from 18:30 on Thursday 9th of March to answer any questions relating to the running of DST.

This has been arranged following queries voiced at the most recent Presidents' Meeting, and is a useful opportunity to ask any burning questions that can't be answered over email.

Want an opportunity to have your voice and opinion on DST heard by staff? Come along!

Be part of organising Durham Student Theatre’s biggest social event of the year!

Applications to be on the committee for DST’s ball & awards ceremony - the D’Oscars - are now open! As part of the committee, you will help organise entertainment, decorations, venue logistics, publicity, marketing, and the awards themselves. There will be a variety of roles available, please specify your areas of interest in your application.

To apply please fill in this form:

https://durhamstudenttheatre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c2cfed351edceb5a0e57d10&id=53dd3117f9&e=58d8a1b6d1

Deadline: Sunday 5th Mach 5pm

Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] with any questions about the application process.

A social? A social I hear you cry? A momentary pause from impending deadlines spent at Osbournes? Themed and on International Women’s Day?

SAVE THE DATE 8th MARCH!

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Ticket link coming soon, entry £9 which includes 2x double drink tokens! What’s not to love!

Slot apps are open!

Struggling with what to put in your AR slot app? Or are you wondering what the exec are searching for this Easter in the AR? Want to make your slot app stand out particularly this term? If so, please send all questions to our fabulous Jennifer at [email protected]! Jen will answer any questions you have confidentially and give her opinions based on what the DST exec are looking for in a slot app.
Please note the act of having a meeting will not make Jen favour your app any more or less it is simply an opportunity to understand what we are looking for and to produce the best and most competitive slot application!

Slot apps will close on 26th February

Hello everyone! Happy term half way!
Reminder that the termly presidents meeting is a week today!
All theatre companies are expected to be represented by their presidents/a member of the exec if not.
Feel free to submit any agenda points via the following https://durhamstudenttheatre.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=57c2cfed351edceb5a0e57d10&id=5fbc1776fa&e=58d8a1b6d1

Please email any apologies at least 48 hours in advance - if not, we hope to see all of you there! ☺️

Want your show to be in the Assembly Rooms theatre next term?
Check out our next application dates for AR submissions, from the 12th-26th of February! We have pre-exam and post-exam slots available - so get thinking about potential submissions! As always feel free to reach out to the DST committee for advice on your application.

In The Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham in just 2 weeks time!!!

For a truly authentic, family-friendly Shakespearean experience, be inspired by 'TWELFTH NIGHT' presented Durham University Classical Theatre at the Assembly Rooms Theatre 🎭
February 16-18th 📅
Tickets start at £2. All U16s go FREE! 🎫➡ https://fal.cn/3vAWY

DULOG Presents HELLO, DOLLY!, its annual Gala Show.
Held in Durham’s beautiful GALA Theatre, DULOG’s Gala show is one of the largest productions of the year, and a highlight in the DST Calendar.
—
Promising to be a spectacle of glitz and glamour perfect for the whole family, DULOG theatre company presents Hello, Dolly! by Jerry Herman. Featuring classics, like ‘Put on Your Sunday Clothes’ and ‘Before the Parade Passes By,’ Hello, Dolly! follows the story of Dolly Levi, a widow, renowned matchmaker, and all-round meddler, who decides that the next match she needs to make is for herself!
The Golden Age classic boasts a comedy-packed script to have you roaring with laughter that also provides the heart-warming feel good atmosphere that will have you leaving the GALA Theatre ready to “close the town in a whirl!”
A story of meddling, mischief, charm, and the ultimate matchmaking mission, Hello, Dolly! is not one to be missed.
—
Venue: Durham Gala Theatre, DH1 1WA
Tickets: £14.50 Standard / £9.50 Concession / £8.50 DST Member
Date: Wednesday 8th February - Sunday 12th February
Time: 7:30pm (+ 2:30pm on Saturday and Sunday)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW: galadurham.co.uk/galapost/hello-dolly/
“A production of the highest quality and entertainment” – Guys and Dolls, Gala 2021
“I can highly recommend you grab yourselves a ticket while you can” – Oklahoma!, Gala 2020
“I dare you not to leave with a smile on your face.” – Singin’ in the Rain, Gala 2019
“Stunning” – Seussical, Gala 2018
Contact [email protected] for more information about this event.

EGM MEETING ALERT!
✨What a way to welcome in a new term by meeting altogether✨
We look forward to seeing you all at 4pm on Wednesday 11th of January. This is a mandatory meeting so all theatre societies need to be represented, as we will be listening to husts for the new DST treasurer! - location Assembly Rooms

Happy new year from all of us at DST!

Have a restful, blissful and theatre filled year - we cannot wait to see you all again soon 💛☺️

Exciting news - DST are reopening for a treasurer!

This role on the executive committee is one of the most important in the whole society; you get to authorise payments and help shape DST's spending. This means if there's something you're passionate about or a project you want to pursue, you can make it happen!

To apply, please send your manifesto to Jennifer Lafferty, our president and returning officer, at [email protected] by noon on the 10th of January. We will hold an EGM shortly after this where candidates will need to hust, and an election shall follow thereafter.

We look forward to seeing your applications!