Aye Drama: Student Guide to Theatre in Scotland

So, you’re off to university and you want to get into theatre? Whether you’re studying it or you’re studying something super serious and you just need a distraction, there’s loads of ways to try out all that the stage has to offer, you just need to know where to look, where to go and who to contact.

Don’t Be a Dick

First and foremost, don’t be a dick. No one wants to have to deal with a dick in lectures. No one wants to have to do group work with the course’s resident asshole, or socialise with a rude dick. I can’t stress this enough, don’t be a dick. Seriously.

Don’t be that guy that gives backhanded compliments to fellow students, don’t be a basic bitch, don’t spend your time moaning about the successes of other people and saying that you can do better. Maybe you can, maybe you can’t, but right now, you’ve got to shut up, listen and make good work.

The other thing about not being a dick is that people will want to hang around with you – treat people with kindness, and they will treat you the same way. Amazing, right? You’ll make friends, you’ll find out about opportunities, you will network. Be nice. Just be nice. It’s really not that hard for most human beings.

Obviously, I can’t speak for all the dicks out there, because 99% of them don’t even realise that they’re walking, talking penai. In all seriousness, people have long memories, and that thing you did that pissed off that person you don’t like could come back to haunt you years later. So please, try to be a considerate human being.

I know that all of the paragraph above sounds rather blasé and obvious, but hear me out, because it’s important to remember that theatre is about communication, and all good theatre is born through collaboration. Don’t make yourself an island. Build up a good network of friends that can and will support you when you make theatre. Do not do it alone.

The Traverse, Edinburgh

Join the drama society

When you first get to uni, the number of societies on offer can be overwhelming, but don’t panic – find the drama one. There are probably lots of different things to try – for example, Edinburgh University has The Improverts, their long-running and much-respected improvisation troupe, and there’s even the Bedlam Theatre: a theatre run entirely by students, which is open all year and is also a great Fringe venue.

If there isn’t a drama society or a local theatre company that you can join, don’t let that stop you; make one. Create your own! Give it an awful name, and see who joins. You don’t need to have any experience to join a drama society, so go forth and just have some fun.

Actually Go to the Theatre

If you like theatre, you need to actually go to the theatre. Yes, you read that right. Get off your arse and go see a show. Mind blown.

When I was at uni, we had a lecturer who started every single lecture by asking us how many plays we’d been to see that week, and usually, the answer was zero. Why? Because we had other commitments, like drinking and reading around four plays a week (reading plays takes a lot of time and isn’t anywhere near as enjoyable as actually watching plays, but I digress) and also, perhaps the most crucial factor in our absence from the theatre was the fact that theatre tickets were a bit too expensive.

OK, theatre tickets are still a bit too expensive, but there are ways to pay less for your theatre tickets. Ask for theatre tokens for Christmas, take your student ID with you whenever you book tickets, because the box office staff will ask you if you are a student and they will ask to see your student ID to prove it. Don’t be offended, just bring out your card, smile, and take home your (slightly cheaper) tickets.

Better still, actually get a job in a theatre: box office, usher, sell overpriced sweets, do anything you can, because you will get heavily discounted tickets, or even get into plays for free! And another thing about working in a theatre is that you will meet people who like the theatre as much as you do.

Tron Theatre, Glasgow

Go to the Fringe

If you’re in Edinburgh, then in August you will live in the city that hosts the world’s biggest arts festival. And that’s not just hyperbole, because the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (not the Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is really the biggest arts festival on the planet. And with the biggest arts festival on Earth comes lots of lovely theatrical job opportunities.

Work in a venue, work for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, flyer for famous (or not so famous) comedians, serve drinks behind the bar, sell tickets, do whatever you need to do to get into the beating, bulbous heart of the Fringe and stay there.

Alternatively, put on your own show at the Fringe; it doesn’t have to cost too much, all you need is the Fringe registration fee and a venue, which will be free, or very close to free if you choose to perform on the Alternative Fringe; The PBH Free Fringe, The Laughing Horse, Heroes of Fringe, etc. Have a think about it – loads of students go to the Fringe, so why can’t you?

If you want to write and maybe see stuff for free while you’re at it, try your hand at this criticism lark, and see what it’s like to be simultaneously hated and wanted. Check out local publications, like *cough* The Skinny *cough*, check out websites and blogs and see what you can add to the ongoing critical conversation. It’s been going on for years, and we’re always looking for new voices to add to the chaos.

Dundee Rep

And Finally

Listen, you really shouldn’t be a dick. I know I’ve said this before, and I know that there are a lot of people who are proper dicks out there, but don’t be one of them. Theatre is a social thing; it’s storytelling, it’s celebration, it’s just fucking magical sometimes. It reflects what we see in society but it also allows us a few precious hours to escape from the hell that is current events.

Nobody wants to go to the theatre with someone they know to be a monumental bellend. No one wants to see work written by/directed by/starring the local theatrical wankstain; seriously, it’s not enjoyable having to sit and grit your teeth and watch someone you loathe because of some stupid run-in during freshers week perform on stage.

Don’t be a dick, make friends, and make some good fucking theatre, because that’s all you really need to do.

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Auntie Trash is always looking for new writers and/or people to send anonymous questions for her advice column. You can apply/pour out your heart here: trash@theskinny.co.uk