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Student Enrichment
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Theatre at Durham

There are over 30 theatre companies across the University all led and run by our students. These provide ample opportunities for performers, backstage workers and front-of-house crews working on the 90 or so productions each year.

Our creative students come together to produce and perform a diverse range of shows throughout the year. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their previous experience, so whether you want to be onstage, backstage, produce, direct, or even run your own theatre company, Durham Student Theatre (DST) aims to provide opportunities and support to help you do what you love doing.
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Venues

Our students perform a different show every week during term time, in our very own theatre, The Assembly Rooms Theatre. Located right in the heart of historic Durham City, the 175 seat theatre started life as a ballroom, being redeveloped as a theatre in 1869 and acquired by the University in 1930.  It has recently had a £2 million renovation to bring it up to modern standards for access and facilities.

Student theatre and music societies also make good use of the city's main professional theatre, Gala Durham with 5 productions a year staged here, such as our Light Opera Group’s annual week-long run of a musical. Of course, Durham Castle also provides performance venues. And our unique relationship with Durham's UNESCO World Heritage Site means the spectacular Durham Cathedral also hosts regular student performances, including major concerts with hundreds of student musicians and atmospheric drama performed in this world-famous venue.

  • Assembly Rooms Theatre

    Situated in the centre of Durham, the Assembly Rooms Theatre hosts a myriad of productions.
    Sign outside the theatre saying Assembly Rooms Theatre since 1891

  • Durham Cathedral

    Come and explore Durham's towering Cathedral on the banks of the River Wear.
    Cobbled street leading up to Durham Cathedral.

Assembly Rooms Theatre

Situated in the centre of Durham, the Assembly Rooms Theatre hosts a myriad of productions.
Sign outside the theatre saying Assembly Rooms Theatre since 1891

Durham Cathedral

Come and explore Durham's towering Cathedral on the banks of the River Wear.
Cobbled street leading up to Durham Cathedral.
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Student performer holding up fellow actor

Durham Drama Festival

The Durham Drama Festival was created by our students and is run by our students. It showcases the talent of Durham's student scriptwriters and performers. For a week in February every year, over 100 students come together to act, direct, produce, tech support, and write brand new exciting theatre.

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Further Opportunities

There are also workshops run by industry professionals, and fabulous events to get involved with. In addition, we always do well at the National Student Drama festival; we take touring productions across the United Kingdom (and beyond), and there are always several Durham University productions as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Durham provides an encouraging environment where you can thrive, develop and enjoy high-quality theatre.

Two actors reading from a book and playing the mandolin