Oxford’s student drama scene is unlike that of most other Universities. Rather than joining a central drama society through which plays are put on, independent groups of students get together their own production teams, bid for theatre slots, apply for funding, audition actors and put on a multitude of plays and shows ranging from established classics to new writing and devised pieces. This means that what goes on in Oxford is up to the students, and there is huge scope for individual enterprise and creativity. There is more student drama at Oxford than probably any other University in the country, and students can get involved at a number of levels in all areas. In each eight week term there are typically about 30 productions, and hundreds of students taking part in drama in some capacity. Such a diverse and busy scene can appear daunting, but there are many ways to get involved and various avenues open for developing existing interests or discovering new ones, both on and off the stage.
There are three central theatres (Playhouse, OFS Studio, BT Studio), college theatres in Keble (O’Reilly), Wadham (Moser), Balliol (Pilch), and numerous other spaces which are used for performances. In Trinity term, colleges open their outdoor spaces up for garden shows, and students have found places as diverse as the University Parks, the Said Business School, and the University Physics department to mount their productions.
The Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund was set up through an endowment to the University by the Mackintosh Foundation. The purpose of the Fund is to aid drama in Oxford and the students involved, by providing a source of funding and by employing the University Drama Officer, who is the main contact between students involved in Oxford theatre and the University itself.
The University Drama Officer (UDO) is Barney Norris; he is based at the Burton Taylor Studio but employed by the University (through the Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund) as a central source of help and advice to all students interested in any aspect of student theatre. He is also on the panels which decide on the programming of the three central Oxford theatres (Oxford Playhouse, Old Fire Station and Burton Taylor Studio) and administers applications for underwriting from the Cameron Mackintosh Drama Fund. If you ever have any questions about any aspect of student drama, do not hesitate to contact the Drama Officer. He is always on hand to advise or assist you, or can put you in touch with any of the many drama societies, groups or theatres if necessary.
The key source of information on all things dramatic is the Drama Officer’s Newsletter, emailed each Monday during term time to over 2500 students. It advertises upcoming plays, auditions, workshops, important deadlines, offers and much more. To subscribe, sign up on the list at Freshers’ Fair or send an email to drama.officer@admin.ox.ac.uk with your name, college and year of graduation.
In addition to the numerous plays that are always going on, there are workshops, talks and trips organised by the Drama Officer, the theatres and student drama societies. These are advertised through the Newsletter.
