Nominations: Nominations closed
Voting: Voting closed
Election
Have you read the role description for Activities Reps yet?
In order to vote for this position you must be a member of a Union-affiliated Performance Arts Society.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact [email protected].
Category
Candidates
Ashley New
(she / her)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
Since my very first day at UCL (quite literally - I came in for an audition!), I have been heavily involved in the performing arts community. Over the past few years, I have performed in many UCL productions, such as A Midsummer Night's Dream (2023), King Charles III (2022), 9 to 5 (2022), My Land's Shore (2022) and Machinal (2021), and I have served on the committee for both Musical Theatre and Drama Society, organising events for society members and meeting others within the community. Beyond UCL, I have also performed with external companies (Almeida Theatre, Burnt Orange Theatre).
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
I hope to be a bridge between the arts community and the Union. I'd like to represent the voice of the performing arts student body and raise their concerns during meetings; being a performer, these concerns will always be at the forefront of my mind. I also hope to work closely with other officers, such as the Arts, Societies and Activities and Engagement Officer to ensure an open channel of communication between the students and those elected to represent them, such that these concerns can reach the individuals responsible for making decisions that will impact the entire arts community.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
As someone who often describes her uni life as 80% artsUCL and 20% degree, I know (as do the people who have worked with me) that I commit myself fully to any responsibility I take on - I don't believe in doing things halfheartedly. And as a performer myself, students can be assured that I know, and have personally experienced and felt many of the concerns that arise within this community. In addition, years of involvement with artsUCL have given me many connections within the arts community, which puts me in a good place to liaise both with and between societies.
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Blessing Echefu
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I would be well-suited to the role of societies performing arts rep due to my approachable and dependable nature. Having worked as a Healthcare Assistant, I have ample experience communicating effectively with different groups of people and also advocating for them and am therefore able to both listen actively, and also respond proactively. I am also able to adapt well to challenges, always remaining calm, level-headed and with a positive outlook, which are important qualities that will allow me to accurately and successfully represent members of arts societies.
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
In this role, I hope to create a safe space for members of arts societies to feel comfortable approaching with any thoughts or concerns they may have, enabling all members to get the most out of being part of artsUCL.
I work well in a team and will collaborate with the Arts Officer and other members of the Activities Zone in order to effectively represent performing arts societies and ensure that matters are handled efficiently.
I also aim to improve communication between the student union and committees and members in order to maintain transparency and smooth running on both sides.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
As an active member of the Dance, Kpop and RUMS Music societies, I have been very involved with the arts, participating in many shows and performances. This is not only a testament to my organisation and time-management skills, but also demonstrates my dedication to performing arts at UCL.
Involvement in these societies has been such a highlight for me, so I very much value having these spaces on campus to express creativity and have fun meeting like-minded people. I would therefore be honoured to represent the artsUCL community and will strive to be a voice for every member if elected<3
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Ella O'Brien
(she/her)
What will you bring to this role (e.g. experience, skills or qualities)?
I've been an active member of many societies at UCL, especially across music and journalism.
I hold committee positions in both Rare FM and Electronic Music Society, so I understand how societies are run, both internally and in association with the union.
My time spent in societies has been the highlight of my years at UCL and I'm really passionate about making them accessible, inviting, and most of all fun!
What do you hope to achieve in the role if you are elected?
Societies are nothing without the people participating in and running them, so it's really important to me that everyone's voice is heard. I would raise any issues brought to me, and be transparent to anyone interested about the processes in place to keep our societies amazing and safe.
I don't think there should be barriers to people getting involved with the arts. I believe it's just as important to get newbies involved as it is to champion the talents of our most experienced performers. All societies should strive to have sufficient entry-level opportunities for beginner members.
Please summarise why students should vote for you.
I love UCL's societies, and I want to keep them running with the members' best interests as priority. I'm friendly and approachable and want anyone with suggestions/concerns to raise them.
Everyone should feel comfortable in trying the arts, and I think offering frequent socials and beginner-friendly activities is a great way to achieve that. Also, I would definitely push for more inter-society collaboration, as fostering a wide network of creatives from different societies throughout UCL is important.
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