Being a theatre obsessive in Cambridge is like being a child let loose in a sweetshop. Especially in first year, it is all too easy to get swept up in the ADC whirlwind. I’ve seen – and been – the student who signs up for just one more show (spoiler alert, it’s never just one more), only to find that their degree is slowly but surely becoming a side hustle. Before you know it, it’s 4am and you’re dismantling metrodeck with a supervision deadline looming over you. I remember how intoxicating – and overwhelming – the range of shows available felt when I first discovered Camdram, Cambridge’s very own amateur theatre information hub. I threw myself into everything, sometimes to my own detriment. Now, with a few Cambridge terms under my belt and some hard-earned lessons learned, I'm ready to share the simple rules I live by to help maintain a fruitful symbiosis of stage and study.

“You’re left wondering how your passion for theatre got you here”

Apply for projects that actually excite you

This might sound obvious, but it’s worth reminding you: only audition for shows that genuinely excite you. From Shakespeare’s classics to contemporary masterpieces, the breadth of shows on offer in Cambridge theatre makes room for everyone to get involved. Make sure to ask yourself: what is it about this project that excites me? Is this role one I want to explore? When you’re working on something that truly inspires you, it definitely shows and shines through to the audience. So go for shows you’re truly passionate about and, hopefully, they’ll make you fall in love with theatre all over again.

Know your limits and stick to them

During audition season, it’s likely that multiple shows from the plethora available will catch your eye. But the real key to surviving (and thriving) in Cambridge theatre is figuring out early on how much you can realistically take on. While some students come to Cambridge already set on a professional theatre career, others are driven by a simple desire to channel their creative energy towards a sociable activity. All approaches are completely valid but it’s important not to let someone else’s intensity become your benchmark. With the bulk of auditions happening at the end of each term in preparation for the next, I find that even those 15 minutes you spend in the audition room can be quite stressful at first. I’ve found that auditioning for two or three shows per term – depending on the size of the commitment for each one – is usually a manageable sweet spot. But only you can decide how much time and energy you’re willing to give. Be honest with yourself about your capacity, and don’t be afraid to say no. 

“All approaches are completely valid but it’s important not to let someone else’s intensity become your benchmark”

Don’t forget to breathe (and sleep… and eat)

Though we might not always admit it, Cambridge theatre demands a level of physical, mental, and emotional commitment which can occasionally become overwhelming. With tech days turning your calendar inside out and late-night get-outs often ending in existential crises, it’s all part of the fun – until it isn’t. My advice would be to leave some time in your schedule open to recharge and hang out with people outside of rehearsals. It is easy to get carried away by what people around you are doing, but your future self will thank you for setting personal limits. And even if you do find yourself stressed out and sleep-deprived in the middle of a show week, stressed out, and sleep-deprived, remember this: the moment the curtain goes up, it’ll all be worth it. After all, that is part of the magic of theatre – just make sure you don’t lose sight of your wellbeing amid the razzle dazzle!

At the end of the day, an extra Camdram credit should not come at the expense of your mental health or your degree. Balancing your studies alongside theatre doesn’t mean holding back, it just means choosing wisely and protecting your wellbeing. So immerse yourself in the chaotic brilliance of the theatre world, but don’t forget this piece of wisdom from the fathers of theatre, the Ancient Greeks: everything in moderation.