10
Jan

Society Spotlight: StageSoc

In Features

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The Stage Technicians’ Society provide technical support for more than 20 productions by Performing Arts Societies every year, covering lighting, sound and stage. 

“We work mostly at The Annex Theatre but sometimes have opportunities at other venues, such as The Nuffield, Turner Sims, or the Guildhall.”

Members can take part in as many or as few shows a year as the desire, and individuals of any level of experience are welcome, as they hold introductory training sessions and have dedicated mentors who support new members. 

So what can you expect by joining StageSoc? “Members can get stuck into our strong and close-knit community of people passionate about technical theatre and making other societies’ creative endeavours happen” says Martha, StageSoc Secretary.

There are also once-a-year opportunities, such as LOpSoc’s Harrogate tour, that gives StageSoc members an opportunity to travel with the Light Opera Society up to the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate. This usually involves transporting a significant amount of set and getting to grips with an entirely new theatre, as well as enjoying the festival and spending time with our friends in LOpSoc.

StageSoc members can expect opportunities to:

  • Take part in productions of various genres (musicals; opera; straight theatre; stand-up and skit comedy; dance; and more).
  • Specialise in any of our areas of work (stage, lighting, and sound), or try out all three!
  • Attend training sessions organised by our Training Officer, such as our recent pyrotechnics training provided by Pains Fireworks.
  • Attend regular social events both with StageSoc and the wider community of Performing Arts.

The best part of being a part of StageSoc, Martha says, is “the great sense of teamwork and accomplishment when a show comes together and you’re a part of that process, a crucial step towards achieving something amazing that brings together the whole of Performing Arts.”

“The ability to come together and produce something wonderful in such a whirlwind experience makes it completely worth it.”

StageSoc’s proudest moment is their participation in 2018’s The 24, a charity show produced, rehearsed, and performed in just 24 hours, “StageSoc takes pride in providing some of our fastest (and most fun) technical support for”. The 24 requires teamwork, dedication, and the willingness to sacrifice quite a bit of sleep, but Martha says, “the ability to come together and produce something wonderful in such a whirlwind experience, as well as being able to contribute to charity, makes it completely worth it and makes the annual event a highlight of many members’ time in StageSoc.”

So what’s to come?

StageSoc are currently working to get First Aid training to offer to all their members. The team are also raising funds for a stage box to improve the setup of our recently-acquired digital sound desk (funded with a capital grant from the Students’ Union). 

Coming up, you will find StageSoc providing tech for Showstoppers, Theatre Group, LOpSOc, Comedy, and more.

  • Comedy Society’s spring and summer shows (27/01-02/02 and 24/03-30/03).
  • Showstoppers’ productions of It Shoulda Been You and Sweeney Todd (03/02-09/02 and 03/03-09/03).
  • Circus Society (10/02-16/02).
  • Light Opera Society’s production of Princess Ida (17/02-23/02).
  • Arias’ original production of Jack the Ripper (24/02-02/03).
  • Magic Society (10/03-16/03).
  • Puredance (10/03-16/03).
  • Theatre Group’s production of One Man Two Govenors (17/03-23/03).

For more info, including how to join StageSoc, please click here. You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

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