Information

4 Benefits of Joining Student Clubs at UBC

The University of British Columbia (UBC) offers a wide range of student clubs and organizations, providing students with opportunities to explore their interests, develop new skills, and build lasting connections with peers. From academic and cultural clubs to art and music groups, UBC’s student clubs offer something for everyone!

UBC Student Club Members

1. Opportunities to Explore Interests and Discover Passions

Student clubs are a great way to explore your interests and discover new passions! Whether you’re interested in music, dance, science, or politics, there’s likely a student club at UBC that aligns with your interests. Joining a club gives you the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, participate in events and activities related to your interests, and even take on leadership roles within the club. UBC Players Club has opportunities for anyone to get involved, whether you’re a professional actor or just looking for a new interest!

 

2. Developing New Skills and Building Confidence

Joining a student club also provides opportunities to develop new skills and build confidence. Many clubs offer leadership positions, including president or treasurer, which provide hands-on experience in managing budgets, organizing events, and leading a team. Participating in club events and activities also helps students build public speaking, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.

 

3. Building Lasting Connections and Networks

Student clubs provide a unique opportunity to build lasting connections and networks with peers. Whether you’re working together on an event or just sharing common interests, being part of a club allows you to build strong relationships with like-minded individuals. These connections can lead to opportunities for career development, collaboration on future projects, and even lifelong friendships, including with members of the UBC Players Club.

 

4. Enhancing the UBC Experience

Student clubs play a vital role in enhancing the overall UBC experience. They provide a way for students to get involved and make the most of their time at the university. Through club activities and events, UBC students can broaden their perspectives, develop a sense of belonging, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Conclusion

Joining a student club at UBC is a great way to explore your interests, develop new skills, build lasting connections, and enhance your overall university experience. With a wide range of clubs to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Get involved today and start making the most of your time at UBC by joining a club. Perhaps, UBC Players Club, one of our friends, or one of the 300+ AMS clubs may interest you?

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

10 Tips for Auditioning

  1. Memorize your monologue.
    It may seem like a no-brainer, but you should aim to have your monologue memorized for your audition. That means not only knowing the words by heart, but also having your blocking and movement memorized as well. To do this, try breaking the piece into smaller increments or beats (based on the progression of the text and its changes), rehearse in different settings, at different paces and with different intentions informing the words. Have a friend be on book for you to check that you are sticking to the text.
  2. Read the plays!
    Again, it may seem obvious, but you may be surprised to learn that it is a common mistake for actors to not read the whole play that their audition piece is from. This is such an important step in preparing your audition and building your character– context is everything! Also, being able to speak a common language with other theatre people is important– the audition panel may know (and love) the play your piece is from, or they may not know it and be curious about it. Go into your auditions prepared to answer key questions about the play, and having done plot and character analyses. ALSO, if possible, you should read the plays you are auditioning for! In the case of Festival Dionysia, this is not always possible because it features new original work, but knowing a little bit about the company’s history and how they work is an asset in any audition (this will also you to ask informed questions).
  3. Think of the audition as an opportunity to meet new people.
    A simple way of approaching your auditions with confidence is to reframe for yourself the purpose of the exercise. Focussing on the audition being an opportunity to meet new people…and for them to meet you, rather than the fact that your work is going to be judged might open up a new way of viewing the audition process. Yes, you’re making yourself vulnerable either way, but by reframing the audition as a meeting rather than a site of judgement, you can focus on the quality of the exchange, listening and sharing, learning, being curious, presenting yourself as the cool person you know you are, instead of going off the assumption that your every move and word is being scrutinized. Imagine the possibilities if you look for connection instead of judgement!
  4. Remember the audition panel wants it to be YOU.
    It’s easy to walk into the audition room expecting the worst… because, again, that nasty inner critic can take over and the fear of being judged (in a negative way) can be overwhelming. But if you take a moment to put yourself in the audition panel’s shoes, and think about what their needs and goals are, and how that might inform their process, it can be very liberating, because they want the next person who walks into the room to be their next hire! They want it to be you! (We want it to be you!)
  5. Take time to introduce yourself.
    So, in review, you have an opportunity to meet people, and they are on your side… let them know who you are, and take the time/show yourself the respect to really get your name out clearly and confidently. Not so confident? Fake it ’til you make it! You matter, and so do introductions, so make sure you take the appropriate time for introductions, say your name clearly, and introduce your piece. Easy peasy!
  6. Embody the text.
    This tip goes into the craft of acting a bit more, but it can apply to you no matter what your level of acting experience is… it is so important to embody the text. What does this mean? Well, that might open up a whole can of theatrical theoretical worms, but the nitty gritty of it is… you have to make choices for your character, based on the text, that are reflected in your body, your physical choices. So, while we applaud anyone and everyone who auditions, it’s that much more meaningful when someone has thought about how (and why) their character might move, when (and how) they might be still, and made some well-thought-out choices. Whatever makes the text come alive, whatever seems appropriate for the character based on your work, whatever moves you (literally, figuratively), that’s what’s going to step your work up a notch.
  7. Be courteous to everyone you encounter.
    Probably a good rule of thumb for any situation, professional or otherwise, but having good manners, and treating everyone you meet during your audition with respect is so important. Positivity begets positivity, but negativity travels faster… so don’t spread frustration, stress, or sadness… theatre is a machine that relies on all of its parts. Be kind, and you’ll probably have a better more positive experience yourself. Plus, you never know, that person you thought was just a lackey might be the most powerful person in the room.
  8. Practise in the outfit you intend to wear.
    There are two key parts to this tip, one supports #6, you can better embody your text and give a great performance if you have rehearsed in the clothing you intend to wear (and you know it works for your piece), and the other is all about preparation… ever had an outfit all planned out days in advance only to find out on the night you try it on that the shirt is missing a button and the pants have a stain on them? Prepare to put your best foot forward, as actor and as character, and get comfortable in your audition clothes. Don’t forget the shoes!
  9. Be prepared to be dynamic.
    Auditions are an exercise in contrasts. Be well rehearsed, be memorized, but also be prepared to improvise and adjust! Yikes. Well, it’s quite common. You may not have to come up with something on the spot, but it is fairly common to be asked to do what is called an “adjustment” on your monologue. This is often an opportunity for a director to see a different side of you, or to see how you ‘improv,’ to judge your ability to think on your feet, your creativity or your level of preparation. Best way to prepare for this is to rehearse your monologue in as many different ways as you can think of, so if you’re doing a comedic piece, try doing it as if it were dramatic, play with accents, play with physicality (see also: tip #1), the main thing is: play!
  10. Remember to breathe…
    And breathe deep, from your diaphragm. Take some deep breaths before you enter the room, and keep your breath moving as you perform your piece. Sounds simple, but it can be easy to forget, to hold, to try to control our breath, just let go, let it flow! And remember to have fun! This should always, always be fun.

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

Be a part of Festival Dionysia 2020!

TECHIES!

Looking for some super fun super interesting backstage experience?! Well, then my goodness have we got the opportunity for you!

UBC Players Club is now accepting applications for tech crew members for Festival Dionysia, a show made up of six one-act plays written and performed by local artists.

Festival Dionysia is a wonderful opportunity to bring together artists of all different types of experience and talent. This festival is a great opportunity to try out new roles in the theatre or get involved for the first time! No experience is required.

TO APPLY:

Email the following information to Veronica at [email protected]:

  • Name and pronouns
  • Are you a UBC student?
  • What position are you interested in?
  • Your resume with any relevant experience
  • Are you available for all show dates: March 8-15?

Applications are due January 15.

 

ACTORS!

Looking for an opportunity to shine and make connections? We’ve gotcha covered!

UBC Players Club is now accepting applications for actors for Festival Dionysia, a show featuring six one-act plays written and performed by local artists!

Festival Dionysia is a wonderful opportunity to bring together artists of all different types of experience and talent. This festival is a great opportunity to try out new roles in the theatre or get involved for the first time! No experience is required; auditions are open calls. 

TO APPLY:

Applicants must email the following information to Veronica at [email protected]:

  • Name and pronouns
  • Are you a UBC student?
  • Headshot and resume with any relevant experience
  • What is your availability for our auditions from Jan 16-19? 

Applications are due January 15.

 
Posted by UBC Players Club in Information, Productions

2018-2019 Executive Team Applications Open NOW

Hello Players!

The application for the 2018-2019 Executive Team is now open!  You may be an executive member from the previous school year wanting to return or an existing club member looking to get more involved! As long as you’re a UBC student in September, you can apply to be part of our executive team for our 2018/2019 year. If you are interested in being more involved with the club and theatre on campus, you might just be the right person for our team!

Download the form here. Please email [email protected] your completed form by August 7th, 2018.

Comment or send me an email at [email protected] if you have any questions!

 

 

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

Stage Manager: Fringe Show “The Bridge” by Caitlin Docking and Nick Rinke

An upcoming Vancouver Fringe Festival show, The Bridge, is looking for a Stage Manager! The show was most recently toured in Australia by the writers/actors Caitlin Docking and Nick Rinke, two local Vancouver theatre artists. Their original stage manager is living in Australia and they need someone to fill in for their Fringe run in September.

The Vancouver Fringe is an amazing opportunity to meet other theatre artists, see lots of free shows (all cast and crew get free passes) and learn how to put a Fringe show together. It’s a great experience for an emerging artist.

Rehearsals for the show will start in August and there are six performances in early September. The stage manager would get a share of the ticket profits and a free pass to the fringe festival.

 

Email [email protected] for more information!

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

Alumni Crew Calls – Geekenders Theatricals and Instant Theatre

Hello, Players!

We have some crew opportunity from PC Alumni! Here’s what he has to say:

“This is a non-traditional immersive theatre production happening in Bear Creek Park, Surrey. Based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Slumber Here places audience in the role of the humans lost in a fairy court, interacting with a unique video-game inspired quest design.

We need two to three crew members to assist with the setup, reset, and breakdown of our outdoor set decoration and props. The show runs June 20th-23rd in the evening, with key rehearsals Sunday June 17th 2-6 and June 19th from 6pm

Crew members will receive an honorarium for their work on this production. This show is a co-production between Geekenders Theatricals and Instant Theatre, presented by the Surrey Arts Centre.”

 

Email Ryan Caron at [email protected] if you’re interested!

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

Wives and Daughters Group Promo

UBC Theatre’s Wives and Daughters by Jacqueline Firkins, adapted from a novel by Elizabeth Gaskell is running November 9-25, opening next week!

They are offering a group sale promotion $2 off the regular student price so $9.50 for 10 students and then the 11th is free.

 Wives and Daughters, a charming romp of love convoluted by hidden desires and expectations, showcases our uber-talented BFA Actors and their Design colleagues from the Theatre Design and Production program. Based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s 1860’s serial novel and adapted by UBC Theatre and Film Professor Jacqueline Firkins, Wives and Daughters tells the story of seventeen-year-old Molly, the daughter of a country doctor whose life gets turned upside down. When an overbearing stepmother and an impetuous stepsister move in, they bring with them a “unique talent” for improving people and a wealth of secrets. A feminist ahead of her time, Gaskell tackles the meaning of love in all its forms and the limitations society places on women as they pursue their desires.

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/440773732983749/

Website: http://theatrefilm.ubc.ca/

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information

Spring Forward at UBC Players Club Annual General Meeting

Zoom meeting link: us06web.zoom.us/j/81685368064?pwd=UmU3MFBLMG5SdnJKZ0ZsNmFOUHFYZz09

 

Meeting ID: 816 8536 8064
Passcode: 088044

Spring Forward with us on Wednesday!

Our meeting is going to be a blast with tons of discussions planned! Come for the free pizza, stay to explore our achievements, discuss growth opportunities, and welcome new executives! We will also be unveiling a new tagline and discussing a restructuring. This is your chance to learn more about your club, connect with members and have a say in shaping our future! Don’t miss out :) Wed, Apr 5 at 5pm at ANGU 432 or Zoom!

Meeting Agenda: docs.google.com/document/d/1qzDIk4yo6PBhIwhuRMyaoNX_OBHAzlvAUZgplceMiqw/edit?usp=sharing

Posted by UBC Players Club in Information