TOP TIPS FOR FRESHERS Read our top 10 bits of advice for first years getting involved

Top Tips for Freshers First time at Durham University? Want to get involved in DST? Our editor Jennifer Baker gives 10 tips for first years.

With over 27 individual theatre companies and over 100 shows being produced each year, Durham University has one of the most vibrant student theatre scenes in the country. Here are some of our top ideas to help you get started in Durham Student Theatre, whether you’ve only just arrived or are just looking to start a new hobby.

1. THROW YOURSELF IN AT THE BEGINNING The Experience Durham fair (insert dates and times here) is the perfect place to start investigating how you can get involved in DST. You’ll be able to meet all of the theatre companies that make up our organisation, as well as members of our committee, and find out all about the exciting opportunities on offer.

2. READ THE WEEKLY EMAIL Once you sign up for a DST membership you will receive an email each week detailing what’s going on that week in DST, as well as external theatrical opportunities. It’s also a great way to find out about upcoming auditions and production team applications. To sign up to the weekly email, contact Becky Brookes at student.theatre@durham.ac.uk

3. SEE AS MUCH THEATRE AS YOU CAN DST puts on over 100 productions every year, meaning that there will be at least one new show each week for you to get stuck into. Productions range from Shakespeare to new student writing and from sketch comedy to opera and musical theatre, so there really is something to suit everybody. If you’re particularly interested in writing, a great way to see more shows is to become a reviewer for First Night, DST’s reviewing platform, where you’ll generally receive a complementary ticket for your work. For more information, email Jennifer Baker at dst.firstnight@durham.ac.uk.

4. APPLY FOR A VARIETY OF THINGS, INCLUDING THOSE YOU HAVEN’T TRIED BEFORE Every week, new opportunities are advertised through DST, ranging from technical jobs to auditions to creative design and working on a production team. Even if you would consider yourself an actor, you could discover a new passion by assistant directing a show or learning how to use a lighting desk. The assistant scheme is an amazing way to learn about working on a production team by shadowing and helping somebody more experienced. Many members of DST have never been involved in theatre before arriving in Durham - all you need is a willingness to join in and try something new. 5. DON’T BE PUT OFF BY REJECTION Rejection is a part of life when you are involved in theatre, but don’t let it stop you from trying again. It can be hard to see someone else directing the show you love so much or playing the role you didn’t get called back for, but you’ll soon get stuck into something else that you will love just as much. Many theatre companies will offer you the chance to request feedback on your interview/audition so that you can improve for next time. Never give up!

6. DON’T OVERLOAD YOURSELF There are so many ways to get involved in DST and it can be very easy to sign up for too much. Look after yourself and make sure that you are still leaving enough time for your academic work and for some time off. Try not to end up working on multiple shows at the same time or you will be exhausted!

7. SIGN UP FOR THE DST PARENTING SCHEME In freshers’ week you will have the chance to sign up for DST ‘parents’. You’ll be matched up with older students with similar interests who you will be able to contact with any questions/ concerns you may have about DST. Everybody gets the chance to meet up at the Parent Social at the start of the year, making it a fantastic way to meet likeminded people when you first arrive in Durham. Find out more at the Experience Durham fair, or by emailing Jack Palmer at john.r.palmer@durham. ac.uk.

8. KNOW WHERE TO ASK FOR HELP DST is such a large student organisation that it can feel overwhelming at times. That said, there are always people you can ask for help. If you are involved in a show, your first port of call should be the show’s production team or the theatre company’s executive committee. For any other problems, or issues involving the above people, the DST committee be of both practical and pastoral help, and all their contact details are available on the DST website (insert website here). Remember though, if it is a serious problem the university’s pastoral care system, including Nightline and trained counsellors, is filled with qualified people who can provide much more specialist help. If you are looking for advice about getting involved in DST, why not think about signing up for the parenting scheme (see above)? If you have any issues within DST, please talk to somebody about them - we are here to help!

9. BE KIND AND RESPECTFUL - VALUE EVERYBODY’S WORK While directors and actors spend a lot of time together in the rehearsal room, it’s easy to forget the immense amount of work that people like technicians, producers and musicians put in behind the scenes. Remember that every single person contributes a huge amount to each show, without which it wouldn’t happen - so be respectful

10. HAVE FUN! At the end of the day, we all get involved with theatre at university because we love it. So go wild, learn something new, make lots of friends - it could be one of the highlights of your time at Durham.