FAQ

WHO IS STaG FOR?


A common misconception is that STaG is a society for actors only. This is by no means the case. Although, as a theatre society, actors are always in high demand, STaG is for anyone interested in any aspect of the theatre, ranging from those with years of professional experience to anyone simply interested in finding out more about theatre, often for the first time. STaG offers its membership an opportunity to meet like-minded people with whom they share an interest in theatre at socials and other schedules events, but personal involvement in a STaG project could mean anything from technical aspects including lighting, sound, set, costume and poster design, stage management, producing, financial management, PR, venue management and front-of-house to directing, writing, acting, dancing, singing or playing a musical instrument. Significantly, every show is different and with it brings new, exiting challenges and new roles to fulfil.

WHO RUNS STaG?

STaG is a university society and is therefore officially run by all of its membership through their suggestions, personal contributions and votes in the STaG elections each year. At these elections, members of the society can run for positions on the STaG board. The opportunity to vote in the elections or to run for a position on the board are open to anyone, as long as they are a member of STaG. This board comprises of different people each year, voted for anonymously, who occupy different specific roles in order to collectively facilitate the everyday running, and long-term development, of the society. You can find out more about the board by looking on the Board page of this site.

HOW DO I KEEP UP-TO-DATE WITH STaG EVENTS, AUDITIONS, ETC?

The website calendar (on the right) provides an up-to-date database of all STaG-run events, including socials, fundraisers, auditions, workshops and more. In addition to this, you can sign up to the STaG newsletter to receive regular updates of events, by entering your email address into the box at the top right-hand corner of this website.

WHO CAN JOIN STaG/WHAT EXPERIENCE DO I NEED?

Anyone can join STaG. STaG is for anyone with an interest in any aspect of theatre – acting, tech and backstage, costume and set design, stage management and more. STaG is not exclusive to students of Glasgow University, although the majority of our membership do attend some university or college in Glasgow or surrounding areas. First-timers, semi-professionals and professionals are all welcome to join the society, attend socials and take part in productions.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF STaG?

If you would like to become a member of STaG at the beginning of the academic year at a discounted price, you should attend the Glasgow University Freshers’ Fair where STaG always hold a stall, at which you can sign up for your annual membership card for the price of just £3 (usually £5). If you miss this opportunity, you can still attend absolutely all the STaG events throughout the year, and need never worry that you have not yet paid for a membership card. Instead, it is when you become involved in your first STaG production or a regular club that you must get your membership. Therefore, if you want to attend an audition, volunteer an interest in tech or backstage work or go along to a STaG social or fundraiser, the fact you have not yet been ‘memberised’ is not a problem and will only need rectifying before the opening night of any show you personally contribute to.

HOW CAN I CONTACT STaG?

There is a lot of information on the STaG website, including here in the F.A.Q and events calendar, as well as regular updates in the STaG newsletter, which you can sign up to using the box at the top right-hand corner of this page. 
However, if you have a very specific question, you can contact the STaG President or a relevant member of the board with your enquiry. All the contact emails for members of the board can be found in The Board section of the website and for enquiries which fall into no obvious category, the current President is contactable via email, using president@studenttheatreatglasgow.com.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT A STaG AUDITION?

Most STaG auditions are very relaxed and informal. All information concerning what to do in preparation for any audition are given alongside the details of that specific audition in our newsletter and on our website. The director and production team of any STaG piece will change each time and therefore their specific audition requirements will change too. Having said that, auditionees are likely to be asked to do some or all of the following: take part in a group warm-up game or exercise, participate in a short improvisation, read a piece of set dialogue or a monologue in front of the audition panel and simply to be patient and generous with their time whilst waiting to go in and read. Generally actors attending a STaG audition do not need to prepare their own pieces, or bring a CV or headshot. It is rare that directors will specify what auditionees should wear beyond recommending something loose and comfortable.

WHERE CAN I BUY A STaG T-SHIRT?

STaG t-shirts are often available to buy at STaG socials, which take place monthly. Details of all up-coming socials are listed in the website calendar (on the right). Signing up to the STaG newsletter is another way you can stay up-to-date with when and where the next social will take place.

HOW CAN I MEET OTHER STaG MEMBERS?

There are lots of ways to meet other STaG members, including involvement in all our shows, projects and workshops throughout the year. However, if you just want to socialise in a casual setting with some like-minded people, STaG holds a monthly Social which offers the opportunity to do just that, without any need to commit to involvement with the society. Equally, if you’re not sure if STaG is for you, the fundraisers held in the run-up to bigger shows are also an excellent way to have a chat and a drink with current members and get a feel for the society. We also hold regular theatre trips to see professional theatre, as a group, around Glasgow and sometimes further afield. Keep an eye here on the website and in the weekly newsletter for updates on when socials and other events take place.

WHERE IS THE STaG ROOM?

The STaG Room is STaG’s on-campus headquarters where we often hold rehearsals, workshops, auditions, fundraisers and socials. The STaG Room can be found at 62 Oakfield avenue, just off University avenue, opposite the university’s Stevenson Gym. You can’t miss the STaG banner outside the room in the society’s trademark orange and black. Click Here for a map to the STaG Room.

HOW MANY SHOWS DO STaG DO PER YEAR?

This varies. The number of small-scale studio shows STaG put on each year is constantly changing, and members are encouraged to propose shows throughout the year, irrespective of schedules adhered to in the past. Increasingly, STaG is using new and interesting spaces to stage plays and this allows for an even more flexible schedule in terms of the year’s sum total performances. 
Having said that, there are a number of staples in the STaG calendar which offer regular opportunities for STaG members to become involved. These include New Talent Nights, a project which takes place at the very beginning of the academic year. Although the themes and formats vary, New Talent Nights are aimed at those new members in order to offer them an easy way to familiarise themselves with the society and its more established membership in the form of one, two or several short plays in which every auditionee is guaranteed a part. In the run-up to the Christmas holidays, STaG produces its Mainstage play which generally sees a larger scale of production and longer rehearsal period take place, proceeded by auditions which usually take place in late September. Later in the year, Scotland’s largest festival of student theatre STaG Nights hosts several short plays, all of approximately 20 minutes in length, as part of a larger concept which is cooked up by that year’s Vice President. An all-encompassing set is then built from scratch in a different Glasgow venue each year, in which the various shorts can take place over three nights and those in attendance can immerse themselves in another world alongside the musicians, character actors and stunning decoration filling the venue. Finally, STaG’s New Writing Festival sees four plays, selected from all those submitted, premiere on a Glasgow stage in front of a panel of professional judges before a final winner goes to represent STaG at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a series of performances to the general public. You can read more about the various common projects that STaG hosts throughout the year Here.

WHERE ARE STaG SHOWS PERFORMED?

STaG’s diverse calendar of different theatrical projects means that pieces are performed in different locations every year. As well as working in large-scale professional theatres, STaG produce studio plays, plays for the university unions, open-air spaces, site-specific theatre – and every year this list is growing.

HOW CAN I BOOK TICKETS TO SEE A STaG SHOW?

Details of each STaG show are provided on the promotional materials on which they are advertised, including venue, dates and times. Generally, tickets for STaG shows are available on entry to the performance itself, however to avoid disappointment, you should use the online booking system in order to reserve your tickets in advance. You can find the booking system for each show using the front-page banner link for that particular show, or by finding that production in the Upcoming Productions section of the wesbite.

I HAVE WRITTEN A PLAY WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE, WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?

Simply click on the Propose link on the website to find the proposal form, along with instructions on how to fill it out and who to submit it to. We should be able to get back to you quickly, and always encourage new writers to contact us with their ideas.

DO STaG PUT ON MUSICALS?

STaG is not a musical theatre society, and therefore do not put on musicals specifically. However, if you are passionate about performing and have a musical talent, whether this is singing, dancing or playing a musical instrument there are numerous STaG shows and events throughout the year which we would love you to be involved with. STaG Nights in particular, often requires performers with varied skill sets including almost every type of performing art. If you are interested in musicals STaG recommend the Cecilian Society ; Glasgow University’s very own society dedicated to muscial theatre.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE "FULL NEWSLETTER" AND THE "WHAT'S ON" NEWSLETTER?

Signing up to the ‘What’s On Newsletter’ means you never need to miss a STaG show as a audience member. An email will arrive in your inbox during the run-up to opening night with a link to the website where you can find out what, where and when it is, as well as how you can buy tickets.

The ‘Full Newsletter’ offers you a regular weekly update on all things STaG. This includes shows the society are putting on, but also ways in which you can personally get involved including social events, workshops, auditions, backstage opportunities and calls for directors and writers.

(If you sign up to the ‘Full Newsletter’ you will still be sent all the information those signed up to the ‘What’s On Newsletter’ receive about up-coming productions throughout the year.)