GET INVOLVED IN
CAMBRIDGE
THEATRE
YOUR GUIDE FROM CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB 2014-2015
Welcome to the most vibrant and exciting student theatre scene in the country! With over 40 shows entirely run by students every term in Cambridge, from stand-up comedy to musicals, from Greek tragedy to new writing, there is always something to match your interests and availability. This guide contains everything you need to know about the way theatre works in Cambridge, and explains how to get involved. Have fun, and remember everyone you meet along the way is a student like you.
MYTH BUSTING: DRAMA SOCIETIES There are over 30 student drama societies in Cambridge. They are not exclusive companies or clubs - you can be involved with any number of shows funded by any society. Think about them as a pots of money for funding shows, controlled by a student committee. While some societies will ask you to ‘join’ them for a small fee before you can be involved in a show they are funding, this is usually for insurance reasons. It’s all about the show and the people, rather than the funding society.
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GETTING STARTED MAILING LISTS The easiest, most important thing to do now is sign up to the weekly e-mail lists that advertise all auditions and production positions across Cambridge. Pick from: Actors’ List Directors’ & Producers’ List Techies List Designers’ List Crewing List Go to cuadc.com/get-involved to sign up to any of the lists.
CAMDRAM Another important reference resource is CamDram, a database kind of like an IMDB for Cambridge theatre. You will find details of all shows and credits for everyone involved, listings for auditions and production roles, and lots more useful information. Visit camdram.net
ROLES IN THEATRE 4 ACTING
5 WRITING
6 DIRECTING
7 PRODUCING
8 PUBLICITY
9 STAGE MANAGMENT
10 DESIGN
11 CONSTRUCTION
12 LIGHTING
13 CREWING
14 SOUND
15 MUSIC 3
ACTING With over 40 student shows in Cambridge every term looking to fill their casts, there are always roles for actors of every level of experience, style, musicality and gender. Whether you’ve never acted before, or are considering it as a career, you’ll find the right opportunity for you. Go to all the auditions you can and don’t be disheartened if you don’t always get cast you might well just not fit any of the roles for a certain show, but if you persevere you will almost certainly find a show for you!
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GET INVOLVED - Sign up to the Actors’ List to receive details of all auditions. - Email Rose and Rhianna (actor@cuadc.org) if you have any questions.
WRITING Venues in Cambridge programme plenty of new writing, particularly the Corpus Playroom and other fringe venues opportunities to see your work showcased are plentiful. Applications for the ADC and Corpus Playroom take place half way through each term for the next season, and offer the best chance for your work to be exhibited.
GET INVOLVED: - Sign up to the Directors’ & Producers’ lists for details. on applications for venues. - Get writing! You stand a much better chance of getting a slot if you already have your script. - Apply to put it on. Think about if you want to direct your show, or will find another director (there are pros and cons either way). Even if your application is unsuccessful, you will receive useful feedback.
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DIRECTING
Taking overall artistic control of a show, leading rehearsals and instructing actors, the director is one of the most exciting roles on a show. You don’t need any experience to direct, just enthusiasm, creativity and good ideas! In addition, many shows open applications for assistant directors once they’ve been programmed; this can be a great way to gain experience before you apply to direct your own show. There are also opportunities for a host of other similar roles, from choreographers to movement directors and dramaturgs. GET INVOLVED
- Sign up to the Producers’ & Directors’ mailing list for details of when venues are programming and opportunities to take on ‘assistant’ positions to gain valuable experience, on the mailing lists. - Email any questions to Sam (director@cuadc.org) or Alex (producer@cuadc.org).
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The producer is generally in overall creative and managerial control of a show, taking responsibility for its smooth execution. It’s great fun and you get to try a bit of everything, from budgeting and marketing, to helping with casting, recruiting a production team and organising regular production team meetings. As with all roles, the level of commitment varies hugely with the scale of the show, but producers are always in demand and there’s lots of ways to get involved. Like directors, you can apply for a slot at a venue with a show (either in a team with a director, or independently), or apply to join a director who’s already been offered a slot. Look out for opportunities for Assistant Producers to gain valuable experience before you take on the job solo.
PRODUCING
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PUBLICITY & DESIGN With so many shows to choose from, attracting audiences to a certain production is a skilled job! Most shows will produce printed publicity materials like posters, flyers and programmes. Digital campaigns using social media, photo shoots and video trailers are also on the rise. As a result, there are lots of opportunities for photographers, graphic designers, cinematographers and more. This is usually overseen by the producer, but some larger shows may appoint a dedicated Publicist.
GET INVOLVED - Sign up to the Designers’ list and look out for opportunities for publicity or graphic designers. - Sign up to the Producers’ & Directors’ list and look out for opportunities for publicists or assistant producers.
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STAGE MANAGING
At the centre of every performance is the Stage Manager, who acts as the link between the technical and creative teams. During the rehearsal process, jobs range from sourcing props and noting cuts to working on health and safety. On the night the SM team run the show, cueing all lighting, sound and other effects, managing props and scenery and working GET INVOLVED with the Front of House - Sign up to the technical staff to keep the show mailing list for vacancies. running perfectly and - Assistant Stage Manage for a larger safely. show. You have the pleasure of working with everyone, and keeping the whole company working efficiently and happily together is extremely rewarding.
- Email Hannah (sm@cuadc.org) if you have any questions.
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SET & TECHNICAL The Technical Director (TD), assisted by a Master Carpenter, and sometimes a team of carpenters, will be responsible for the practical construction and safety of the set. From the workshop to the stage, they coordinate the technical crew to bring the Designer’s plan to life. The set of a show can transform it, whether simple or complex. Some shows will appoint a Production Designer, in charge of all aspects of a show’s visual aesthetic, but usually there will be a design team consisting of a few people, generally the Director along with Set, GET INVOLVED Costume and Lighting Sign up to the tech mailing list for Designers, who work TD and construction roles. closely together. - Come to a get-in on a Sunday at the ADC during term time. - Email Jamie (td@cuadc.org. uk) or Beth if you have any questions.
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COSTUME The costume of a show helps set the atmosphere of the whole production. Costume Designers work closely with proudction designers and the direction team to create a cohesive aesthetic to wow the audience. Most shows appoint a separate costume and set designer, but larger shows can often appoint an overarching production designer to co-ordinate each department.
GET INVOLVED - Sign up to the design mailing list for updates on production vacancies. - Email Emma if you have any questions (designer@ cuadc.org).
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LIGHTING
Lighting is an important part of the aesthetic for every show, and many Cambridge venues are extremely well supplied with an exciting range of equipment to experiment with. On larger productions there will generally be a bigger team with more specific responsibilities - for example, the Lighting Designer will think about the show artistically, while the Chief Electician realises this vision through planning, patching and programming the lighting desk. Smaller shows can be lit by one person, and this independence often makes them also highly rewarding projects.
GET INVOLVED - Lighting overnights (generally on Saturday night at the ADC) are a great way to learn from experienced crew. - Sign up to the technical mailing list and look out for Lighting roles. - Email Jamie (td@cuadc.org) or Beth (technician@cuadc.org) if you have any questions.
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CR EW ING Crewing is a great way to get involved in technical theatre. You don’t need to have any experience, and can learn a variety of skills including electrics and carpentry. Every show needs something different, and so there is something to interest everyone. The ADC Theatre’s workshop sees the construction of over twenty sets every term, ranging from simple flats to flying ice cream vans, and its new electrical workspace allows for the construction of custom electronics. Every weekend, the show for that week has its ‘get in’, when it moves to the stage and prepares for opening night. This includes rigging lights, putting up set and setting up special effects. Many shows need extra crew during their runs - to fly and move scenery and to run lighting and sound. Help is always appreciated! GET INVOLVED: - Sign up to the crewing list, which advertises what’s on each week. - Check the Club Noticeboard for shows that need Ops.
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Many shows need a Sound Designer to make sure everything is correctly amplified and balanced so the show sounds perfect. For large shows, the sound designer may be accompanied by one or more sound engineers or radio mic runners. From musicals to concerts, and from comedy shows to drama with live music, there is something for everyone. Apart from live sound, many plays will appoint a Sound Designer to create a soundscape of music and effects, which can transform the atmosphere of the production. Sound Designers in this context often work closely with the director to create new music that sets the atmosphere of the show.
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GET INVOLVED - Sign up to the Technical mailing list and the Crewing list. - Email Jamie (td@cuadc.org) or Beth (technician@cuadc.org) if you have any questions.
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MUSIC There are several musicals and operas produced in Cambridge every year, many seeking full scale pit bands - it’s a wonderful way to perform. In addition to musicals, many other shows are enhanced by incidental or accompanying music. There are opportunities for composers - from the annual pantomime at the ADC Theatre, entirely written and composed by students to countless shows seeking original incidental music, accompaniment and soundscapes.
GET INVOLVED - Sign up to the Musicians’ mailing list. - Email Steve if you have any questions at musicians-rep@cumts. co.uk
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Actors’ Rep
BETHANY CRAIK ALEX CARTLIDGE technician@cuadc.org producer@cuadc.org
Producers’ Rep
Directors’ Rep
Club Technician
Stage Managers’ Rep
EMMA HOLLOWS director@cuadc.org
Designers’ Rep
Club Publicist
SAM RAYNER HANNAH EDWARDS HARRY STOCKWELL director@cuadc.org sm@cuadc.org publicist@cuadc.org
Actors’ Rep
RHIANNA FROST actor@cuadc.org
ROSE READE actor@cuadc.org
TH E REP S
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MAIN VENUES
The ADC Theatre is the liveliest and best equipped student theatre in Cambridge. With 228 seats and a full lighting rig, sound system and fly tower, it is home to the biggest student productions each term. Each week during term the ADC Theatre presents two shows a night from Tuesday to Saturday: a mainshow at 7.45pm, and a lateshow at 11pm. It also has a fantastic and cheap bar, which is regularly open late. The Corpus Playroom is an intimate studio venue, owned by Corpus Christi college and run by the ADC Theatre as its sister venue. The L-shaped studio is Cambridge’s primary fringe space, showcasing a variety of productions, with an emphasis on new writing. During term time the Playroom also presents two shows a night, one at 7.00pm and one at 9.30pm. Seasons at both the ADC Theatre and Corpus Playroom are programmed together, a term at a time, roughly halfway through the previous term. Applications will be advertised online and via the CUADC mailing lists.
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Both venues are run together by a management team of four ex-students (based at the ADC Theatre) who are on hand to help your production as much as possible - remember they’re only a couple of years older than you, and are some of the friendliest people in the world.
THEATRE MANAGER
Technical supervision of venues & productions
OLI REW FLO CARR
Day to day running of venues, Bar, Box Office
MITCHELL CLARKE IAIN HARVEY
Oversees productions at the ADC & Playroom
PRODUCTION MANAGER TECHNICAL MANAGER
Programming, Marketing & Artistic Direction
OPERATIONS MANAGER
email: firstname@adctheatre.com
There are also a large number of college venues which are usually run by college drama societies - like Fitzpatrick Hall at Queens’, Newnham Old Labs, or Pembroke New Cellars.
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SOCIETIES & FUNDING
All student productions are funded by a variety of societies, also run by students. Many colleges have a resident drama society, run by members of that college, which produces shows in their own theatre, or elsewhere. Note that you don’t have to go to that college to take part in its shows. There are also some drama societies without college affiliation:
ADC RESIDENT COMPANIES Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club (CUADC) is the oldest and largest student drama society in the country. Every year the club funds numerous productions in Cambridge, Edinburgh and beyond, as well as running workshops and events for all areas of theatre. The CUADC committee has a student representative for each member within a production team, so if you ever need help with a production, or aren’t sure how to get involved, feel free to get in touch. Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society (CUMTS) produces several large scale musicals each year, as well as regular Bar Nights, frequent workshops and other events hosted by West End professionals. Check out their website, www.cumts.co.uk for more info, upcoming events, and to sign up to the CUMTS mailing lists.
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The Cambridge Footlights are the world-famous comedy troupe who first aired the talents of some of the foremost British comedians and actors of this century. Based at the ADC Theatre, the Footlights put on four main shows each year the pantomime, the new comedy festival, the spring revue and the International Tour Show in the summer, which performs in Cambridge, London, Edinburgh and the USA. But as well as all that, the Footlights hosts ‘smokers’ every fortnight at the ADC Theatre - these are one hour shows of original sketches and stand-up and are the best way to get involved with comedy or try out new material.
TOURING THEATRE SOCIETIES Some societies are set up exclusively as annual international tours, usually of a Shakespeare play. They take their cast and crew around the world during the vacations to schools, universities and professional theatres, and are fantastic opportunities to have as a student. The European Theatre Group (ETG) tours Europe each Christmas vacation. The production team is appointed in Lent Term and auditions are at the start of Michaelmas term. Three fresher technicians are also appointed in Michaelmas. The Cambridge American Stage Tour (CAST) and the Pembroke Players Japan Tour (PPJT) travel to their respective destinations in September. Auditions and production team interviews are held in Lent Term.
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Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society The Cambridge Footlights The Marlowe Society
CONTACTS
European Theatre Group Cambridge American Stage Tour
Christ’s Amateur Dramatic Society (Christ’s) Clare Actors (Clare) Fletcher Players (Corpus Christi) Revived Emmanuel Dramatic Society (Emmanuel) Girton Amateur Dramatic Society (Girton) Homerton Amateur Theatrical Society (Homerton) Alcock Players (Jesus) Kings College Drama Society (King's) Magdalene Drama Society (Magdalene) MADhouse (Murray Edwards) Newnham Anonymous Players (Newnham) BATS (Queens') Pembroke Players (Pembroke) Dryden Society (Trinity)
David Stansby Lily Parham Tom Fraser Henry Jenkinson Ellen Robertson Harriet Webb Lily Staff
president@cuadc.org president@cumts.co.uk president@footlights.org hj284@cam.ac.uk er400@cam.ac.uk manager@cuetg.co.uk manager@castcambridge.com
Jodie Coates Ollie Imray Hen Hammant Jamie Armitage Jack Pulman-Slater Tania Clark Tom Stuchfield George Kan Harrison Gower Rose Reade Katie Akers Benedict Hawkins Connie Chapman Charlie Houseago
jc833@cam.ac.uk oi214@cam.ac.uk hlh28@cam.ac.uk ja540@cam.ac.uk jop25@cam.ac.uk tc409@cam.ac.uk ts541@cam.ac.uk gpk24@cam.ac.uk hjg35@cam.ac.uk rr467@cam.ac.uk kea35@cam.ac.uk bth24@cam.ac.uk cc708@cam.ac.uk ch614@cam.ac.uk
cuadc.o rg