Hello everyone.
First of all, I want to take the time to thank you for reading the manifestos and selecting the new leaders of next year's committee, without you none of this would be possible. I also want to take a moment to thank and congratulate our current manager Jess on two sensational years as manager. Seeing first-hand the hard work and dedication you have given to this society is truly something to look up to and you should be proud of all of the hard work that you have put into making the society what it should be. You have made it a safe space for people who have a passion for performing. You have made it free from judgements, free of stereotypes, and free of stress. This is a legacy that I hope to continue and do justice in your place.
I have been part of this society for six years, on and off. I have seen ups and downs, but consistently, I have always seen people having fun. This is what the AmDram experience should be about. It allows you a stress relief from the hard work you are doing at university and let yourself be free from any outside worries. I know putting on a show can also be stressful but to hear an audience cheer at the end of it makes it all worthwhile. People enjoy drama. It is universally agreed between everyone, there are the players who act out our greatest fantasies and the viewers who come and enjoy the ride. It has been like this since history has been recorded and will last time immemorial.
As current communications officer I have made it known to you from the start, that I would be running for manager for my final year of university. It is my belief that I am the strongest candidate for this role as Theatre is what I do, it has been part of my life for over 18 years. It has also allowed you to ask me questions for me to really think about in regards to what would make me an effective manager and I want to share these questions and answers with you so that all of you can see where I see this society going.
Why me?
As I have already explained I have been doing theatre for a many number of years at multiple levels. This includes basic to professional. During my undergraduate I learnt about all elements with the theatre industry; such as Acting, directing, playwriting, set design, lighting and sound, marketing, and more. I have also been manager of several theatre groups and have given lectures on Berkovian theatre in Manchester and Birmingham. While at times it has seemed that I have been the ‘bad cop’ of the rehearsal room it has been for the soul reason that I have known what you are capable of as individuals and if I can leave any legacy with you it would be for you to have the knowledge that I have so it can be shared for generations of members to come.
What about your Masters and Work?
So, as you read this, I am on my FMP which ends January 2020. While this project is going to be a very stressful time for me the bulk of the work will be done before you start back in September. It also means that once this is done any of my spare time will be dedicated to making sure that everything is in check while still being a registered student. In regards to my work I am able to change shifts so that they do not interfere with rehearsal times and any shows as I receive these a month in advance and then I am able to change shifts where needed. This for me is not going to be a problem.
What would you change about this current year?
While I cannot fault Jess for her leadership, there is one thing that I would primarily change in regards to the show selection. If elected, I would like to meet up with the new committee and talk about show ideas very early on for our major production. As a team we would then select three very different shows that we feel you would have an interest in. Once this has been done, we would put it to a vote that is done by the current members of the society. This is for two reasons: 1) It then means that it is something that you want to do 2) for those leaving us, it means that they can pick something they think we can accomplish and do justice. While this does leave out any new members, we hope that the vote you pick will spark interest in them as well. Another thing I would change, is the variety show. While last year's show was the fullest, I have ever seen I did get a common string of feedback which I don’t think we can ignore. This feedback was that the pieces didn’t really seem to fit. With this I would like to do it so that the variety show has a theme so that it can be better enjoyed by our audience members.
Why do I do Am Dram when I am a Master’s Student?
This has been asked of me by people both in and out of the society. Drama has been proven to help people in so many ways. There seems to be some sort of magic about coming into a room for a few hours and telling someone else's story. For those few hours, you are not yourself. The worries and troubles that you have don’t exist in this space, yet somehow being this other person allows you to be able to deal with what the outside world has to give. I could go on for hours about how each one of you has personally grown and developed this last few months alone, however...... I'm saving that for proud to be staffs. I would like to tell you about my journey though.
Many years ago, drama saved my life. I was in a very dark and lonely place, and a newly appointed drama teacher saw something and someone in me that I had not yet met. I was given the opportunity of a lifetime and it changed everything. Throughout my university career I had lost my way and if you had met me at my weakest and darkest (2 years ago) you would have seen a different person, and not liked him. While it is great being a Masters student, I needed the practical outlet that drama gives. So, I came to a give it a go session and met Jess and the members of last year's crazy group and was able to rebuild myself. It is because of this society that you are hear today reading this manifesto thinking “boy does this guy waffle on”. This society saved my life, and I owe it to all of you. You have made me such a better person then I could ever have hoped to be. It is for this reason that I want to lead our society, so that I am able to in some way repay you for what you have given me.
One final thought before you decided if I am worthy or not to lead you. Whether you choose me or not, I am so exceptionally proud of you all, and while some of us may not see eye to eye all the time, I will always be there for the members of this society. That being said I personally do not see you as a society of people that just meet up and perform shows. I see you as family, I choose you as family, and I love you all as family.
If you have any further questions the please feel free to email me on l003368a@student.staffs.ac.uk
Thank you again for your time,
Damian