So, you’re interested in the university theatre scene? Lucky for you – the Sheffield theatre scene is just as thriving within the university as outside of it, and you’ve got plenty of opportunities to get involved in all kinds of shows. Here’s some of what’s available this semester…
Sheffield University Theatre Company (@_sutco)
Sheffield’s oldest and largest theatre society, SUTCo is bouncing back after the tragic cancellation of Carly McCollin’s The Witch with a show undecided at time of writing (Drama Studio, October 29th-31st). After that, Collaborators (Uni Central, November 17th-19th), an Olivier-winning surrealist comedy – think Jojo Rabbit but with Stalin and kidney failure – before concluding with Little Women (Drama Studio, December 3rd-5th), an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel.
Auditions for all three shows will be held in 38 Mappin Street on September 24th and 26th, and tech application forms are already beginning to go out. No preparation or prior experience is required for cast or crew, and SUTCo has no official membership fees or sign-up requirements.
SUTCo also runs smaller projects throughout the semester, including workshops on acting and tech skills, a murder mystery in October, and a scene showcase in December! Play applications for Semester Two and for SUTCo’s biannual Edinburgh Fringe show will take place in November.
Sheffield University Performing Arts Society (@supasshef)
Sheffield’s dedicated musical theatre society will be performing two shows this semester, both at the University Drama Studio – Rent, (November 25th-28th) and Sister Act (December 9th-12th).
Senior tech applications have already opened, with general tech and band applications due to go out shortly after auditions, which will take place Week 1 for Rent and Week 2 for Sister Act, locations TBA. No previous experience is required, but anyone auditioning will be expected to prepare a musical selection from the packs provided on SUPAS’s socials.
SUPAS also runs workshops and socials throughout the semester, and in December will be seeking production team applications for its Semester Two member-chosen musical.
University of Sheffield Light Entertainment Society (@usles_)
The smallest and scrappiest of Sheffield’s theatre societies, USLES will perform two member-written comedies this semester; The USLES Summer Sketch Show (Sheffield University Uni Central, 28th-29th September) and an unannounced second show (Raynor Lounge, 14th-15th December).
USLES will audition its December show on September 30th and October 2nd in Classroom 11, 38 Mappin Street and VR5, and tech applications will go out shortly afterwards. No preparation or prior experience is needed, and all roles are non-competitive, so all auditionees will be cast and all techies accepted. Memberships are £5 for the semester and £7 for the year. USLES will not be running any other events, but will be accepting scripts for Semester Two in January.
And plenty more besides!
- Anyone can volunteer to usher for each of these societies, and receive a free ticket in return.
- Burlesque, Drag, and the Shrimps (improvised comedy) societies all perform regularly.
- Music and dance also has a very active scene in Sheffield, with Music Players’ Society and Dance Society being among the SU’s biggest societies.
- Several non-performance societies regularly produce full shows, including Horror Society’s annual Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast and occasional native-language performances of shows from cultural/national groups.
- Some non-Sheffield SU groups which are nonetheless student-affiliated, like Hallam University’s theatre society (with both Sheffield SUs having a reciprocal relationship, Sheffield students can join this too!) and the Company, an amateur company for graduated SUTCo members.
More details for each society can be found on their social media, the SU website, by talking to them at the Activities Fair on September 22nd, or by attending their Give It a Go sessions throughout the first weeks of semester!
