Durham Student Theatre
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Abbreviation | DST |
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Established | 1989 | as DST
Location |
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Membership | c. 800 |
President | Tyler Rainford |
Affiliations | Experience Durham, Durham University |
Website |
www |
Formerly called | Durham University Student Theatre (DUST) |
Durham Student Theatre (DST, formerly Durham University Student Theatre, DUST) is a student-run organisation responsible for theatre at Durham University. In contrast to most British universities it is a separate organisation within the status of a students' union, rather than a part of Durham Students' Union, the primary student representative body at Durham University. DST umbrellas around 28 theatre companies which between perform around 60 shows a year in venues around Durham City. Durham Student Theatre voted to leave the Durham Students' Union in March 2014 with an 87.5% majority.[1]
About DST
DST acts as an umbrella organisation for many theatre companies affiliated to it, providing them with services such as managing and providing box-office staff, props, costumes, set, make-up, advice, and a range of technical equipment. DST also acts as a union for its members: students of Durham University.
The society sees around 60 shows performed in venues across Durham each year. Several of these are in DSTs own student-run theatre, The Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham. The Assembly Rooms Theatre is a traditional proscenium arch theatre in the centre of the City of Durham. Shows are also performed all over Durham, from Durham Cathedral to the Indoor Market. Durham theatre companies also attend the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, as well as locations across the UK.
DST Committee
Since 2014 DST has operated with an Executive Committee and Standing Committee consisting of various roles to support the organisation and support of theatre in Durham.
The Executive Committee consists of:
- President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Technical Manager
And the Standing Committee consists of:
- Assistant Treasurer
- Internal Hires Co-ordinator
- Festivals Secretary
- Socials and Workshops Secretary
- Public Relations (PR) Officer
- First Night Editor
The Assembly Rooms Theatre
The Assembly Rooms Theatre is an historic 220-seat proscenium arch theatre in Durham City. It is also home to the DST committee office, a box office, workshop, green room, two changing rooms, props and costume store and a scene dock. The theatre is located on North Bailey, opposite Hatfield College.
DST manages the Assembly Rooms in conjunction with the University. Since it completed a £100,000 refurbishment programme funded by the Gillian Dickinson Trust, DST has seen more improvements to the building allowing for a better standard of facilities and technical equipment. This restored the main auditorium to its former design, installed a modern and functional box office foyer area, and allowed for better technical support for incoming productions.
First Night
First Night is DSTs own reviewing arm which aims to review all DST productions on their opening night.
Durham Drama Festival
The Durham Drama Festival (DDF) is a festival of student writing organised by DST. DDF is a student run drama festival, featuring plays and musicals written by current students at the University of Durham. The festival has been run since 1975.