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Judith Bellmunt has spoken to the auditors of Litsoc and Dramsoc to find out what these much-loved societies’ plans and goals are for the next academic year.
From literature to theatre, UCD’s creative life is driven by two of its most dynamic societies: LitSoc and DramSoc. Their packed schedules blend long-standing traditions and new ideas to provide spaces where students can collaborate and showcase their talents. Here are their plans for the upcoming academic year.
LitSoc will continue hosting their weekly coffee mornings, where students can chat, and get to know each other (as well as get free coffee and sweet treats!). Their popular bookshop crawls in Dublin are also returning, as well as their author talks where authors discuss their trade and take questions from the audience.
“Don’t Talk About Write Club”, the society’s much-loved writing group, is back again. The club is a place where writers come together, read out loud their work and receive feedback from peers.
For readers, there’s a brand new short story book club called “Small Reads Club”, which will be meeting once every two weeks. The list of short stories will be available at the freshers' stand in the society's fair. And for a special outing, they’re planning a very exciting day-trip to the Bram Stoker festival in Dublin!
If it sounds like your kind of community, there’s some last few places available in the committee, including Fresher Rep!
Meanwhile, DramSoc is set for another year of weekly workshops, social events and of course their slot shows, which may even make it to the Irish Student Drama Awards, this year held in Trinity College Dublin. Members can also look forward to their theatre trips - with many DramSoc alumni now shining in the theatre industry, this is your chance to see them on the professional stage.
During Freshers Week, they’ll have theatre tours, and plenty of events to give students a taste of the society. “Shorties” is also back by popular demand. Introduced last year, it’s the chance for very short plays to be staged so that members can test the waters in acting, or in a crew position. This year will also see the return of their “Swing Gala”. Additionally, they’re reintroducing an inaugural show in Freshers week, so people can come along and see what DramSoc has to offer.
The society is placing special emphasis on inclusivity and making the society more accessible, as well as increasing collaboration within the society. Application for directing shows, crew and casting opportunities will be advertised on their social media, no experience is needed! Members are free to stage plays that already exist or something they have written themselves. They have a Macbeth production planned, for which applications are already open for both members and alumni!
If you sign up for the societies in freshers week, you’ll receive friendly and hilarious weekly emails about everything going on in the society. On top of that, make sure to follow their Instagram accounts too to find out about all the events they’re running; @ucddramsoc, @dramsoc_shakespeare, @ucdlitsoc.