Club Spotlight: DRAMAT
By SAMUEL ALTMAN and WILLIAM INOUE
Exeter is renowned for its extensive theater programs that host a wide range of high-quality opportunities for the whole campus. Dramat is a fully student-run theater club on campus. Each term, students take turns directing and performing short plays, and sometimes even writing their own plays.
Advisor and Instructor in English Sahar Ullah commented on Dramat’s unique role on campus. “Dramat gives PEA students an opportunity to be part of a theater-making community in addition to PEA’s theater and dance department’s amazing programming,” she said.
“Dramat is the drama club on campus where students can direct, write, and act in shows and it’s very helpful for beginners to get into theater, especially if you’ve never done it before,” prep Jillian Cheng reflected.
Upper Jacques Leleux echoed this sentiment. “Generally, Dramat is a lot more low-key and relaxed than the main stage productions,” he said. “I think that’s really good because you can focus on specific skills you want to hone. In a way, it’s a stepping stone for the main stage productions because you have the opportunity to build up experience with less of an audience and less pressure. From there, you can have a very seamless transition to main stage productions.”
Senior and cohead Nora Sharma described the day-to-day activities of the club. “We have director applications and auditions at the beginning of each term. Anyone can apply to direct and anyone can audition for shows that are selected for the term. We have a 100 percent casting policy too! So, once shows are cast, it’s up to the directors and casts to find a time for their shows to meet weekly to rehearse. At the end of the term, these shows perform during a show weekend.”
Upper and cohead Emma Sordi discussed the job of the leaders of Dramat. “As coheads, we both facilitate making casts and we help them put on their show,” she said. “That could mean doing lights during the show, it could mean helping with blocking, helping them to get people to show up, etc. Right now especially, we are really focusing on a commitment to put on student-written pieces. Andrew Gould is working on one right now, which is really exciting.”
Sordi continued, “Having that student-written element leads us to being able to do plays for free and it also allows us to have a workshopping process, which is something that a lot of other places don’t really offer.”
Leleux discussed how students are chosen for their respective roles in Dramat. “You’re allowed to rank your priorities into what play you’ll get sorted, but ultimately it’s the director’s decision.”
Cheng explained, “There are different plays that students choose to direct and it’s up to those directors to schedule when you want to meet. For example, I did a play in fall term and we met weekly for rehearsal. So, in every rehearsal, we would work on the script and the director would tell us how to act, where to move. Over time, we memorized the script and we ended up putting it on at the end of the term.”
At the end of the term, Dramat hosts its own performance weekend wherein students can show their creations to the community at large. “It’s in the black box room,” lower Lilia Fecteau said. “All the students are invited down to the basement of Goel, and I think they advertise it on Instagram. Usually, they’re roughly an hour long each, and there are often two or three productions.”
Sharma reflected, “I remember during my lower fall, I was in a show where lines had to be memorized. One of my scene partners forgot his lines, and so we had to improvise. I think this was the opening night, but it essentially became what Dramat calls a ‘Sunday show.’ They don’t necessarily happen on Sunday, but essentially the last performance of a show is allowed to be sillier. There were lots of laughs from the audience, and I was really proud of our ability to get through that scene.”
Lower Izyaan Burney discussed his experience in performing in Dramat. “I was in the play ‘Help Desk,’ directed by Kenza Madhi, in my prep fall. Being new to the school, it was a great opportunity for me to get familiar with the theater spaces on campus and to find people with similar interests.”
Burney continued, “More recently, now that I’ve become more experienced in Dramat, I directed a show called ‘Post-it Notes: Notes on Marriage’ by Winnie Holzman this past fall.”
As with any club, especially with one that relies heavily on student participation, it can be difficult to keep everything in line. “The biggest challenges are honestly scheduling and commitment issues,” Sharma commented. “Especially when there are large casts, it can be hard to find a time that works for everyone. Successful shows require everyone involved to show up to their rehearsals, and it can be really unfair to everyone involved when people flake. It’s a risk we take though, so that we can maintain our 100 percent casting policy.”
Sharma continued, “One challenge for the board and coheads is getting the rights to perform the shows we are doing. It’s not difficult per se, but it’s really important because that’s how most of our shows get their scripts. However, some directors write their own shows, like the shows running this trimester!”
Ultimately, Dramat is beloved by all sorts of Exonians, representing all types of interests within the space of theater. “My favorite part of Dramat is the sense of community,” Leleux said. “It brings students together to do what they love. There’s a shared sense of vulnerability in acting in front of an audience and practicing it day-in and day-out, which really creates a bonding experience and fosters new friendships.”
“It’s the club where you can explore any aspect of theater—tech, directing, acting, licensing, and even box office management,” Sharma said.
Sordi reflected, “Theater has always been very important to me. I think what Dramat offers is a vehicle to do theater that isn’t constrained to the sports block. You also don’t necessarily have to sign up for a main stage production, which is a larger commitment. It’s something completely student-led that allows each student to access their creative dreams in a club completely separate from their day-to-day classes.”
Leleux continued, “In a way, it’s just like Harkness. Dramat is about putting yourself out there and being brave and having a presence. You simply have to work together with your fellow students to collaborate to reach a common goal. Building up the courage to voice your criticism and unique creative ideas is just as applicable to Dramat as it is to our everyday lives.”
Sharma concluded, “Later in the year, we’ll be planning the ‘Dramademy’s’, Dramat’s end-of-year Oscars-like award show, which we’re really excited for! Anyone on the email list has the opportunity to vote for the winners and everyone is invited to watch the show. Also, remember to follow us on Instagram @peadramat!”
