T24 Drama Society

The T24 Logo|200px|right|The T24 Logo

T:24 Drama Society is the principle dramatics society of the University of Kent, based in Canterbury. Formerly UKCD, the society produces a wide variety of dramatic work throughout the academic year.

The Society History

Previously known as UKCD (University of Kent at Canterbury Dramatics), the society was renamed in 2006 to coincide with the rebranding of the University, which changed its name from University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC) to University of Kent. The name reflected the growing range of work the society produces, hence the inclusion of 24 into the name. The society is also renowned for its annual 24 hour drama event, in which students take part in a full 24 hours of drama, from workshops to the production, and finally performance of scenes that have been created overnight. The society's efforts range from full theatre productions to experimental, political and MusicAL theatre, showcases of new writing and frequent clubs and workshops for society members to increase and hone their performance and technical skills. A famous former member of the society is the British actor Tom Wilkinson.

In former years, the society has produced a number of shows, including but not limited to: 'Hothouse' Harold Pinter 'Last Tango In Paris' (Europe's first staged version of the Brando film) 'A Streetcar named Desire' Tennessee Williams 'Woyzeck' 'Look Back in Anger' 'Spring Awakening' 'Bima and Brimati' 'One Flew over the cuckoo's nest' 'Accidental death of an anarchist' 'Doctor Faustus' 'King Lear's Tempest' 'Torchsong Trilogy' 'The Dead Guy' 'Beside Herself' 'Peepshow' The UK's premiere production of 'Wreckhouse'

and many original works by students.

The Society Calendar

The society produces around 12 shows per academic year, although this is increasing year on year as the society's membership increases. The calendar for the society runs roughly as follows, although dates will vary from year to year.

Autumn Term

One show performed in the Gulbenkian theatre on the Canterbury campus for three nights.
Three 'free space' shows performed in alternative venues across the Canterbury campus and Canterbury itself, including a 'Fresher's Only Show' for new students.
A 24 hour drama event, beginning at midday on a Saturday early in term and ending at midday the following Sunday.

Spring Term

One show performed in the Gulbenkian theatre on the Canterbury campus for three nights
Three 'free space' shows performed in alternative venues across the Canterbury campus and Canterbury itself.

Summer Term

One show performed in the Gulbenkian theatre on the Canterbury campus for three nights
Two 'free space' shows performed in alternative venues across the Canterbury campus and Canterbury itself.

Other Events

Also, throughout the academic year the society produces several events and showcases that vary from term to term. These include:

The 'Collage Show' - a showcase of short scenes, monologues, works in ProgresS and sketches from new writers within the society and the university as a whole.
Various experimental theatre events - these vary from piece to piece, but focus on interactive, non-narrative driven work. Previous events have included 'The Chalk Event' and 'The Play Event'.
Musical Theatre Showcases - performances of songs and scenes from the world of Musical Theatre.
The Drama Club - This occurs every Friday night as a way for members to come together and play games, workshop IDeaS and try out performance techniques in an open environment.
Play It By Ear - The society's improv comedy troupe, who perform on Friday nights at the University of Kent campus and on Tuesday nights at Canterbury Christ Church University's student union.
Scrapheap Theatre - An event which takes placeover two days with the intention of producing new writing and performance. Day 1 consists of the formation of companies from the society, each with a number of actors, a playwright and a director. The Playwright has 12 hours in which to complete a bespoke script for the company they are attached to, and this is completed on day 1. The director and cast then have 12 hours on day 2 in which to block, learn and rehearse the script before a performance on the evening of day 2.

The Committee

The day to day running of the society is overseen by the society committee, elected from the members at the society AGM during the spring term. At present, the roles comprise:

President(s)
Secretary
Treasurer
Company Production Manager (CPM)
Publicity Officer
Social Secretary
Webmaster

The first committee under the banner of T24 was:

Presidents: Tom Livingstone and Louisa Webb
Secretary: Chantelle Klein
Treasurer: Katy Hirst
CPM: Jess Thomas
Communications, Publicity officer & Social Secretary: Jasmin Räisänen
Webmaster: Sam Howes

The previous 07/08 committee was made up of:

President: Jess 'Red' Cheetham
Secretary: Dan 'And Dan' Simpson
Treasurer: Jamie 'Minky' Lynch
CPMs: Will 'Solutions' Train, Kate 'Token' Lennon
Publicity Officer: Jean Carlos 'Mr. Musical' Lopez
Social Secretary: Mimi 'Mimimimi' Findlay
Webmaster: Sam 'Musicman' Howes

The committee for the 08/09 season is as follows:

Presidents: Sam Gardner & Ursula McCabe 'Sursula'
Secretary: Dave 'Furbie' Newell
Treasurer: Jamie 'Minky' Lynch
CPM: Richard 'Plus Hat' Stewart
Publicity Officer: Jean Carlos 'Mr. Musical' Lopez
Social Secretary: Aislinn 'Mistress Minx' De'Ath
Webmaster: Ian 'Homeslice' Bridgeman

The present committee for the 09/10 season is :

President: Laura Young
Secretary: Chris Willmott
Treasurer: Dave Newell
CPM: Carly Anderson
Publicity Officer: Hannah Lloyd
Social Secretaries: Vicki Baron and Richard Parnes
Webmaster: Chris Lawrence