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Posted April 20, 2015

What Student Theatre Can Do For You!

Student theatre can seem a little intimidating at first, especially if you're a postgrad! Companies have already formed, the directors all seem to know each other and you wonder just where you can fit in - and if it's worth it in the first place. Luckily for you, it's easier than you'd think, and there's a ton of benefits.
 
 
Acting
When most people think of student theatre, they think of acting. This can be pretty easy to start getting into in a way - keep an eye on auditions and book in to what ever interests you! Most universities have different 'level' groups - for instance, pantomime societies which guarantee everyone a part regardless of skill in comparison to the incredibly strict Shakespearean productions which require perfect knowledge of the language used. This is great if you're new to the scene, since you can be involved in a show even if you're not that confident in your skills!
 
 
As for the benefits, these should be obvious: public speaking! If you're a postgraduate, you're likely to end up doing a viva at some point in the future so getting used to speaking in front of large audiences is really useful. Plus, you'll learn to deal with things going wrong and the art of improvisation, a vital skill for those seminars you forgot to do the reading for.
 
 
Tech
Maybe you're not so keen on the idea of flouncing around on stage. Don't worry - student theatre isn't just for wannabe actors. All productions need a tech crew to keep the lights running, the sound on cue and if you're in a really big production, maybe even to keep the pyrotechnics working. Most universities have their own tech society, who'll run courses or sessions designed to teach newbies the ropes, so even if you have no experience with this whatsoever, you'll be able to dive right in.
 
 
This might seem further away from your course than say, mastering public speaking, but being able to get to grips with unfamiliar technology is a skill that'll serve you well - both in the workplace and when your computer inevitably crashes mid-thesis.
 
 
Set and Costumes
If you've got an arty streak (or you like the idea of having one, but have never managed to try it out), getting involved with the set and costumes of student productions is a great way to make use of it. Whether it's painting an oddly specific 13th century backdrop, or sewing some glittery leggings for a camp disco musical, you'll be able to turn your hand to lots of new things and see them in action.
 
 
If you're looking to go into marketing, design, PR or any of those careers, having experience in set and costume design can be really useful - it shows you can theme things together, that you're used to working on creative projects in a team and that you can hit deadlines. On that note - if marketing is your goal, getting involved with a production's marketing team is great experience.
 
 
Adding To Your CV

How do you make student theatre appealing when applying to postgrad courses or jobs? It's pretty easy, actually. Skills that student theatre can teach you (and therefore act as an example of when you're writing your cover letters ) include:

  • Teamwork
  • Marketing
  • Public speaking and improvisation
  • Working with technology
  • Working to deadlines
  • Creative works

...and more! It's a great place to have some fun, make some new friends and rack up some vital skills.

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