Current Opportunities

Committee Applications

Apply to the 2025/26 UMDS Committee and learn more here

The Shorts

Auditions for the shorts will be announced soon

The first step to getting involved with the society is by purchasing your membership, which allows you to participate in all UMDS has to offer and gives you discounted tickets to all our shows and events.

The Seasons

Read our Joiners Pack for more info

2024/25 Calendar, for deadlines and dates

Bad Traffic

MIFTAs 2023

The main opportunity offered by UMDS is the chance to work on the seasons of theatre we program in a whole host of different capacities including director, assistant director, producer, designer, stage manager and actor. All of the seasons we program are made up of work pitched by members and we are a new writing-focused society, roughly 90% of our shows are written by members. We program pieces of new writing, pre-published plays and devising concepts that will be developed in rehearsals. When programming we look for stories that are aspirational, bold and portray a diverse cross-section of society.

Ahead of each season, we program our shows via the Submissions Process, we recruit members for our teams via the Creative Teams Pool, and then we run auditions. To learn more about the programming process and how you can get involved with the seasons, read our Joiners Pack and keep an eye on our Instagram and mailing list to hear when these opportunities come about.

Look What We've Done

MIFTAs 2023

Purchase membership

How To Get Involved

The Autumn Fringe

The Autumn Fringe is our first season and shows run from November to December with the programming stage starting at the end of September, so the summer break is definitely the time to get writing if you would like to propose a show. The season is made up of seven one-hour performances that are hosted in fringe-style venues across Manchester. Many shows performed in the Autumn Fringe go on to have a life beyond the season. It always promises to be a vibrant collection of shows that showcase the amazing creative talents of UMDS Members.

The Freshers Show

A Day in a Life

Freshers Show 2024

The Freshers Show happens during the Autumn Fringe in November / December. We program multiple short performances that include new writing, devising projects and pre-published work that combine to create a spectacular evening of theatre! Only first-year students are able to work on the Freshers Show so it is the perfect opportunity for freshers to meet like-minded individuals and debut their creativity with UMDS.

Baby Steps

Autumn Fringe 2023

The MIFTAs

Whats Wrong With The Girls

MIFTAs 2024

Our second season, The MIFTAs is our biggest season of theatre with high-scale productions that have bigger teams, venues and run times. Our eight MIFTA shows run from February to March and we begin receiving submissions in November. The MIFTAs are the very best the society has to offer with performances that are true showstoppers! Following the season the MIFTA awards are presented at the Drama Ball.

The Shorts

Our final season of the academic year is The Shorts which are made up of short pieces of new writing by members. It is the perfect opportunity for members who are new to writing or working on a show and often shows presented in The Shorts are developed into full-length pieces. Ranging from comedy improv pieces to emotional two-handers, The Shorts is an unforgettable evening.

The Edinburgh Fringe

Bundle of Joy

Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Each year UMDS shows are performed at the iconic Edinburgh Fringe Festival under the name of our Fringe Production Company, Hive MCR. Whilst Hive MCR sends two different shows, various drama society shows decide to go up independently every year and it is always the most incredible experience for everyone involved. We encourage every member to pursue this whatever happens!

Teabagging

The Shorts 2023

Workshops

Throughout the year we host workshops that range in format and topic. In the past, we have run sessions on directing, producing & designing, how to use a tech desk and facilitated a session led by Everyone's Invited.

Creative Projects

We run short form Creative Projects throughout the year, these include things like Monobox (our filmed monologue series). We hope to run new and exciting projects this year such as our Schools Outreach Project and a Fashion Showcase.

Scratch Nights

We host regular scratch nights during the year and they offer a great opportunity to test out new writing or performances in front of an audience in a low pressure environment.

Socials

Our frequently-held socials are the best way to meet like-minded people within the society. They vary in format and theme but there is always something for everyone at a UMDS social!

Other Opportunities

There are many other performing and creative opportunities throughout the year. Through scratch nights, workshops and ad hoc projects members can refine their skills and showcase their creativity. The opportunities listed below are just a taste of the projects we have planned for this year. Our Creative Projects team are developing our program as we are constantly striving to provide more opportunities outside of the seasons.

If you have an idea for something you would like to see as part of the UMDS program then please do not hesitate to get in touch, email creativeprojects.umds@gmail.com

General info

Email secretary.umds@gmail.com for all general enquiries.

Our Joiners Pack is the best way to get to grips with the society.

Our Society Policy outlines our approach to running the society.

If you would like to form a complaint about any aspect of UMDS activity please fill out our

Complaints Form.