About Us
With almost all of our recent productions sold-out, Reading University Drama Society consistently offers great entertainment on campus for students, by students. RUDS is definitely not just for Theatre students, we’re here for anybody who loves seeing shows, acting, dancing, singing or just meeting new people with a shared interest.
If performing isn’t your bag then we’re always on the look out for technical types to join our team. Lighting, sound, costume and stage design – we welcome you all as these are vital areas of our productions.
Members get great benefits such as:
- Discounted prices to RUDS and Writers’ Soc productions
- Eligibility for free or discounted theatre trips to London and the surrounding area
- Theatre skills workshops and technical training
- Great socials organised on your behalf based on your interests RUDS is one of Reading University’s most active societies.
Last year saw 100 cast, crew and creatives performing to over 800 audience members. Our members come from all over the uni and have a variety of interests making us one of the most diverse groups on campus. RUDS produces several shows every academic year. From full length established plays to original student written pieces to action packed musicals. Not to mention the RUDS annual tradition of performing both a Shakespeare and an Oscar Wilde play! Given half the chance RUDS also endeavours to head up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If you’re interested in coming to see any of our plays it’s possible to buy your tickets online, just keep an eye out on the website and the Facebook page for upcoming details. RUDS perform at venues across the university sites, from the Students’ Union building on Whiteknights Campus (housing the imposing stage of 360 nightclub, and the smaller performances spaces of Café Mondial and Mojos Bar) to the Wolfgang Van Emden Theatre in the HUMSS Building, to various outdoor spaces on either the Whiteknights or London Road Campus, used for summer performances.
Putting on a performance can eat up a lot of your free time, so why do we do it? Primarily it is a fun way to make new friends from across the uni and enjoy a shared interest in theatre. It is also a crucial way for students keen to get a career in the arts to gain vital practical experience. Perhaps most importantly though, nothing else can compare to the feeling of accomplishment when all that hard work comes together and RUDS puts on another awesome show!
