Drama Society: Inclusion and Diversity Officer

Hi! My name's Vanessa and I’m a first year Philosophy student :) I strongly believe that all kinds of people should be unafraid to have a go at whatever theatrical shenanigans they desire no matter their background or experience. As a tiny, naive fresher back in September with only way too much enthusiasm to back me up, I'm thankful for the many events that have allowed me to not only get back into acting, but also try my hand at directing and writing. This especially resounds with me as a queer person of colour (woo!); I am overjoyed to have worked and connected with people that have backgrounds similar to me. 

Nonetheless, there is no doubt that entering such a busy, busy society while knowing absolutely nothing can be quite intimidating at times, especially for those within minority communities (at least that’s how I feel!). So, it only feels right to help make dramasoc as unintimidating and accessible as it can be for everyone. I'm keen get more people involved with our wonderful pre-existing BAME and PRIDE showcases, and create more freshers-exclusive opportunities to lower the entry barrier for newcomers. I am dedicated to removing any apprehension that can surround joining our society and encouraging absolutely everyone to join in on our dramatic endeavours; this, of course, would be done through shameless promo to make our ongoings as clear as possible. Ultimately, I'm just someone who loves theatre and wants other people to love it too; I swear you can rely on me :)

Hi! I am Ahmad and I would LOVE to be your diversity officer ?

Coming into UCL at the beginning of this year, I was scared as to whether I'll find a safe space within one of the societies. Drama Soc's open, friendly and inclusive environment has given me a place that feels like home within UCL. I was recently involved as an AD in the Pride showcase, where I got to experience putting on something where inclusivity and shared experiences are the foundation of the event and not just an afterthought. The Pride showcase has given me a space where I can appreciate and explore the different facets within my identity. That experience was priceless and shows Drama Soc's commitment to inclusivity. As Inclusivity and Diversity officer, I hope to expand on Drama Soc's identity-focused projects and help widen participation for these. projects. I would work alongside the workshops and events managers to ensure that regular workshops give members plenty of room for involvement as well as to ensure that events are inclusive and inviting for all members. Furthermore, due to the size and calibre of Drama Soc, first-time involvement could be daunting and I would make sure that Drama Soc offers students with less experience the opportunity to nurture their interest and grow it throughout their time within Drama Soc. Finally, I hope to continue in making sure works presented by Drama Soc are representative of the diversity, intersectionality and variety of experiences its students have.

I've been a part of Drama Soc since first year and was Treasurer in 2021/2022. I am on a year abroad this year, and am eager to return to UCL and contribute to running Drama Soc!

I am excited to run for Diversity and Inclusion Officer, as I believe representation and outreach within Drama Soc can be improved. If elected, I will:

- ensure Drama Soc's communication and outreach is well-coordinated and reaches a wide range of UCL students

- organize the yearly PRIDE Showcase (which been central to my UCL Drama experience)

- organize a Foreign Language Showcase or other themed Festival (I am particularly interested in improving access for students with English as a second language)

- work with casting teams for every UCL show to ensure casting is equitable and potential biases are being taken into account

- ensure the repertory of shows we put on in 2023/2024 are diverse, both in their authors, characters, and themes

- improve accessibility for our events and performances (for example, distributing a script or including surtitles for deaf audience members)

- collaborate with Cultural Societies, the LGBT Network, and a new Drag Society, which I hope to set up by the end of this academic year.

I believe I have the skills and knowledge necessary to take on this role, thanks to my seniority and knowledge of the inner-workings of Drama Soc and the Union, my experience as Treasurer and role as executive producer of the 2022 New Writing Festival. 

Thank you for your time!