UCD Dramsoc

UCD Dramsoc is the student drama society of University College Dublin. The society was founded in 1926 and is currently in its 82nd session. Since it was founded, the society has had two central objectives which are key to its ethos; firstly to be a breeding ground for emerging talent by pursuing and fostering principles of dramatic excellence. Secondly to be a social arena through which UCD students can form lasting friendships from a shared interest in the dramatic arts.

Dramsoc has gone through many stages of development during its 82 year history. It began in the Georgian setting of Newman House at the original site of University College Dublin on St. Stephen's Green. It then transferred to UCD’s second home at Earlsfort Terrace before finally arriving in Belfield in the 1960’s. Since this time the society has grown from its meagre roots to become Europe’s most active drama society with an annual membership of around 1000 students. In 2004 €90,000 was invested into the Dramsoc theatre by the college. Located in the John Henry Newman Building, the theatre gained a new lighting and sound system, a new movable lighting rig and movable seating rig and a revamped Front of House Area. UCD Dramsoc currently has the most comprehensive student society theatre in the country. This is due to be improved even more when the society moves into the UCD Student Centre; works are due to be completed in September 2008.

Dramsoc has been honoured with the title of UCD’s Society of the Year for three of the last five years. In 2004 President of UCD, Hugh R. Brady, spoke about the society's commitment to standards of excellence and emphasised its contribution to the colleges’ life. Through the pursuit of a hectic performance schedule Dramsoc has been a forum for learning the invaluable qualities of leadership, teamwork, artistic endeavour, technical ability and the ancient skill of live performance.

For eighty years the society has proved that its internal efforts pay off outside of the University. The society often performs well at the Irish Student Drama Association Festival (ISDA); in 2006 Dramsoc was awarded five of the eleven awards at ISDA, having been nominated in every category and a number of former members have gone on to garner professional success.

Famous Alumni include:

*Barry McGovern
*Jason Byrne
*Brian Farrell
*Camille O'Sullivan
*Frank Kelly
*Conor McPherson
*Cearbhaill O'Dalaigh
*Chris O'Dowd

External links

* [http://www.ucddramsoc.com UCD Dramsoc Website]
* [http://www.ucd.ie UCD Website]