The Dan Studio Series (DSS) prepares to showcase the creativity of student-theatre at Queen’s.
Production for the fall semester’s edition of the DSS is well underway, presenting semi-annual and student-designed shows. This fall’s series will feature four student-written plays: Pirates and Prejudice by Annalise Lunn, ArtSci ’26, A Night at the Fruit Saloonby Devon Mahoney, ArtSci ’26, Bubblegum Theatre by Jonas Jacobson, ArtSci ’26, and The Slow Lane by Giselle Castillejos, ConEd ’26, each with its own cast and creative team.
The plays will run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 at Kingston’s Baby Grand Theatre, aiming to give students opportunities to take on every type of role in a production, from writing and directing to stage management, design, and acting.
DSS is “a whole variety show [in] one night,” Co-producer Connor Houghton, ArtSci ’27, said in an interview with The Journal.
Co-producer Halli Hood, ConEd ’27, added that the lineup leans comedic this year, reflecting the tone of the scripts submitted. “This is about having fun. No one’s judging you, just come express your art.”
The process of assembling the season began with an open call for scripts, which drew 25 submissions according to Hood and Houghton. “It was fun. We ended up choosing the four that we thought were the strongest,” Houghton said.
The predominance of comedies shaped the final selection. “Most of what we got was funny, and we thought it would be good to go with that energy,” Hood said.
The production prides itself on being a barrier-free entry to theatre. “We didn’t require any experience for any of the roles,” Hood said. Houghton added that “I feel like some productions [at Queen’s] are a little bit overwhelming. DSS isn’t like that at all, It’s lower time commitment, lower pressure, [and] lower stakes.”
That openness is what’s central to the spirit of the DSS. “We thought it was important to make sure people knew that it was just going to be a fun time,” he said. “A space where people can express their artistic craft with no judgment at all.”
Looking ahead, the pair shared their biggest hope for this semester’s productions: that they inspire new students to get involved. “I hope an audience member goes, ‘I want to be in that,’” Hood said.
“I want people cackling and wheezing and having a good time. And I want people to be like, ‘wow, maybe student theatre isn’t so bad,’” Houghton said.
With this season’s shows now announced, Hood and Houghton are ready for a year of student-led theatre.
Tags
Dan Studio Series, Drama, DSS, productions, student theatre, Theatre
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