Cultural Events & Activities
There is a range of opportunities for our residents to pursue and share their cultural interests and backgrounds. Some of these include:
- The annual New College Play performed by residents.
- The annual New College Revue performed by residents.
- The annual Inter-college debating competition.
- Debates within College throughout the year.
- Band Nights. Each year the College holds at least one Band night with a dozen bands performing, drawn from the residential room groups.
- Music Performance nights. These are opportunities for people with experience playing different instruments to perform for the College.
- Formal Dinners held every six to eight weeks at which residents perform musical items and have the opportunity to hear from a speaker of note
- Art exhibitions.
- Publication of the annual College Magazine.
Art & Music
There are numerous opportunities for residents to take part in cultural activities on campus. Each year residents from New College write, produce and direct plays on campus, perform in the UNSW orchestra and sing in the UNSW choir. For the past four years New Collegians have organised and hosted an annual art exhibition of their various works. The Art committee also attempts to create other opportunities for people to exercise their skills. The College also provides a music room that contains an upright piano and other instruments owned by the residents. As well as the music room there is a grand piano that is available for residents to play.
- ∆ 2006: The cast of Pirates of Penzance congratulates the audience and orchestra!
Annual Dramatic Production
With the inclusion of this year, to date there is a 21 year tradition of producing an annual dramatic production. This history has included 19 plays (The plays Away and Cosi were performed twice) and now two musicals! In 2006 New College residents produced and performed the first ever New College musical - Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance. Watch an excerpt from the opening sequence of The Pirates of Penzance (video clip courtesy of NCSA widescreen feature length DVD). This tradition continues this year with another musical Kiss Me Kate.
Revue
The Revue is produced, directed and performed by residents each year. It revisits the key events and personalities of the year both in College and the world at large, offering an amusing and satirical look at what has happened. It requires the work of at least 100 Collegians writing, editing, filming, acting, singing, dancing, producing and directing, back stage work and front of house.