UCD MUSICAL SOCIETY
Now in it’s 13th Session, UCD Musical Society is one of the youngest and most active societies on campus and amongst other musical societies across Ireland, best epitomized by our winning of UCD Society of the Year in 2015 and 2017. Set up in 2009 by a group of passionate students our society has grown from strength to strength each year, catering for students with a love of all things musical theatre. In a normal year we produce three full scale musicals in UCD, two in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2, and also participate in the nationwide Musical Theatre Intervarsities alongside eight other third-level societies. In addition to our productions, we are one of UCD’s most active student societies. We run our Vocal Group, which has over 50 regular members, as well as workshops, open mic nights, society collaboration events and performances at various UCD and external events. We have received awards and recognition at both national and local level for our shows and activities.
Our shows are selected and run by our members making them unique to our society. Each semester applications open for positions on the production panel and students can apply with various ideas. The chosen production team then holds auditions for performers and organizes the full scale productions. Last session we staged three hugely successful musicals – Company in September, – bringing a Best Male Singer AIMS Nomination for leading man Ruairi Nicholl, The Addams Family in November and our most recent production of Our House, which took place in February and has since garnered four nominations and a Best Chorus win with The Association of Irish Musical Societies. The society has seen great success at the AIMS Awards, most recently with our 10th Session production of Cabaret, which was nominated for five and won four awards, including Runner-Up Best Overall Show and Best Choreography. Previous shows we have performed include American Idiot, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, In The Heights, Parade, She Loves Me, Legally Blonde, Jekyll & Hyde, Bonnie & Clyde, A Chorus Line, The Producers, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Grease, Little Shop of Horrors and The Wedding Singer, each receiving outstanding reviews and attendance.
We run a weekly Vocal Group from 6-8pm every Tuesday evening where all members are welcome to attend for another singing and performance opportunity. The Vocal Group performs at various stages throughout the year, with the highlight being the Vocal Group Showcase in Semester Two. Vocal Group is open to absolutely every member and requires no audition to take part. We hold regular workshops in all aspects of theatre, in a range of both performance and production areas, to give our members a chance to improve their skills and share their talents. The social side of UCD Musical Society is great fun and a fantastic way to make new friends. We hold regular events throughout the year such as our hugely popular open-mic nights, the annual Performing Arts Ball, cast parties, trips around the country, nights out and much more. Renowned for our welcoming, inclusive and friendly reputation we are always eager for new members to become involved be it on or behind the stage.