The Strand’s ultimate guide to theatre at Victoria College
Victoria College Drama Society
The Victoria College Drama Society (VCDS) is a student-run theatre group that celebrated its Centennial Season this year. Each VCDS production relies on many members, and you can get involved by performing, lighting, designing, assistant stage managing, costume designing, being a musician in the band, and more!
I’ve been involved with VCDS throughout my three years at Vic. I started with acting, but I’ve since become more comfortable with trying new roles. Theatre encourages adaptability: I’ve been a performer, an Assistant Stage Manager, a Props Master, and an Assistant Communications Director for the VCDS executive team. I decided to be Props Master for a show after not getting cast. I ended up learning a lot about a part of the theatre I didn’t know much about before. Don’t be afraid to expand your horizons, especially since VCDS is always happy to have help on their crews.
You don’t have to be a certain type of person to be involved in theatre. Sure, there are stereotypes, but I’ve met a wide range of students who love what they do, and productions need all types of personalities to succeed. You don’t need to study drama to be part of VCDS, and you don’t need to be particularly theatrical either. If you’re good with building, you could be great as an Assistant Technical Director; if you love fashion and clothing, you could try costume designing.
The balance between extracurriculars and school is something you’ll figure out along the way. Being part of a production is a commitment that requires a lot of emotional and physical energy. If theatre is a stress reliever for you, like it is for me, it will be manageable because it’s a break from the stresses of school and it makes your brain happier. Creating art with your peers really is amazing, and you don’t necessarily have to devote huge amounts of time to it. As an Assistant Stage Manager, I didn’t have to commit to rehearsals until about a week before the show opened. Being an audience member is even less commitment: only a few hours one evening to enjoy yourself and learn a bit more about the world.
An essential thing I have learned through Vic theatre is the importance of representation. This year’s season follows a theme of queer identity, which—despite the theatre world’s growing acceptance of this aspect of selfhood—is still underrepresented onstage. I have learned from the people I’ve met through VCDS, from stories that have been told—or not told—onstage, and from ongoing conversations about improving diversity and representation. I’m thankful that I am learning in this artistic community, because it is through words, art, and music that we come to understand others.
Keep an eye out for posters and information on VCDS’s Facebook about an info session in early September. The VCDS team will explain the application process for positions on the executive team and provide general information about the upcoming season.
2018/19 Season
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Directed by Abby Palmer.
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Directed by Rachel Bannerman.
A New Brain by William Finn and James Lapine. Directed by Meredith Shedden. Music directed by Shreya Jha.
Confessions of a Female Disorder by Susan Miller. Directed by Molly Simpson.
Mamma Mia! by Benny Andersson, Bjӧrn Ulvaeus, and Catherine Johnson. Directed by Ronan Mallovy. Music directed by Emma Wallace.
Upcoming Performance: September 27 to 29, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Directed by Abby Palmer. In the Emmanuel College Quad; $5 for students.
The Bob
The Bob is Canada’s longest-running collegiate sketch comedy revue, with hilarious sketches written, directed, and performed by students. It’s a fun environment in which to express creative and weird energy. As an audience member, I continually admire how The Bob’s cast members aren’t afraid to put themselves out there, try different things, and perform work they’ve written themselves. The show is always hilarious, wacky, and clever. Every time, I come away with a greater appreciation for the minds of my peers. Since there isn’t a huge cast and there are numerous sketches, each person gets to play multiple roles and experiment with different characters, which is an exciting challenge as a performer and entertaining to watch as an audience member.
If you’re not sure about performing or writing but you still want to be involved, The Bob is looking for a stage manager, a technical director, and a costumes and props manager. Auditions to be in the troupe will be September 17, 19, and 20. Visit The Bob’s Facebook to keep up-to-date with audition and show information, and for fun promo shenanigans!
Upcoming Performance: November 23 to 24, at the Isabel Bader Theatre; cost TBA.
