FOLLIES Application Pack October 20-24th 2026 Robinson College Brickhouse Theatre About the Show Synopsis New York, 1971. There's a party on the stage of the Weismann Theatre. Tomorrow, the iconic building will be demolished. Thirty years after their final performance, the Follies girls gather to have a few drinks, sing a few songs and lie about themselves. Featuring the classic songs "Broadway Baby," "Losing My Mind" and "I'm Still Here" the New York Times describes Follies as "among our musical theater's very finest achievements." Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Tony-award winning musical re-opens the Robinson Brickhouse Theatre ahead of the college's 50th anniversary celebrations. With an incredibly large cast, a full orchestra and stunning design, this will mark the first Cambridge production of the musical masterpiece since 2008. This is the chance of a lifetime to get involved in an ambitious production, explore Sondheim and Goldman's web of love, loss and theatre, and be part of college theatre history. Meet the Team Hi! We're Dhyan (Director) and Joseph (Producer), a duo that you may know from recently putting on Spider's Web and Medea at the ADC Theatre, as well as sitting on the current CUADC committee. Dhyan (he/him) is a first-year English student at Robinson College. He is a writer and director, with previous writing experience at the National Theatre in London, as well as directing experience at the ADC and beyond. Joseph (he/him) is a first-year HSPS student at Downing College. Joseph has broad experience in leading technical and production roles in and out of theatre. Outside of shows at the ADC, he is driven to address global problems like climate change. We are also delighted to be joined by a production team including assistant directors Kaya and Sophia, as well as our incredible musical directors Rich and Collier! Concept, Vision and Production History To watch Follies is to stare at the present while haunted by the past; in other words, to watch Follies is a powerful and emotional summation of what it means to create art, fall in love and be alive. This is one of the great American musicals, featuring an outstanding, moving score by Sondheim and sharp dialogue by Goldman. There are several opportunities presented by performing Follies, including a very large number of brilliant roles, with an extremely large cast and a wonderful blend of figures that are comedic, tragic and somewhere in-between. I'm keen to lean into a naturalistic reading of these characters, uncovering Goldman's dark sub-texts and ever-pertinent commentary on the American Dream. Follies is a cynical, moving, all-too-real insight into what it means to love, lose, collaborate and make art. A note on the history of Follies. As Ted Chapin recalls in his excellent book Everything was Possible, Follies opened at the Winter Garden on Broadway in 1971; since then, it has enjoyed critical debate and constant reinvention, marked as one of Sondheim's greatest masterpieces and arguably one of the best works of musical theatre ever written. Most significant is Dominic Cooke's recent 2017 revival at the National Theatre, which featured Imelda Staunton and redefined the musical as a sincere - though often hilarious - exploration of show business and society. 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the musical - and almost a decade since Cooke's iconic revival. Now, this production seeks to re-introduce the musical to Cambridge, allowing audiences to experience its iconic songs, characters and stories through fresh and radical direction. About the Brickhouse Theatre Brickhouse Theatre Company was founded in 1998 as the resident student theatre group at Robinson College, Cambridge. Brickhouse enjoys two very fine spaces at Robinson College - the 240-seat indoor theatre, and the outdoor Maria Bjornson Theatre - as well as supporting shows elsewhere. In recent times, much like the Weissman Theatre in Follies, Brickhouse has fallen into a quieter period in its history. This production is set to make history, reviving Brickhouse and - for the first time ever - opening the Robinson College Auditorium up as our very own "Brickhouse Theatre." If you're not convinced by the brilliance of Follies alone, this is the chance to be involved in the biggest production in Robinson College history, making a real impact in the vibrant college theatre scene in Cambridge. Production Roles Choreographer Follies brings an opportunity for outstanding dance sequences, and we’re looking for someone who is interested in movement, dance and musical theatre to lead the choreography. This role will be a higher commitment role involving conversations with the directors during the summer and attendance at rehearsals before the performances in week 2/3. Responsibilities * Planning and blocking dance sequence, working closely with the directors. Questions * Why would you like to be a choreographer on this project? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to movement, dance or choreography? * Do you have any ideas around the musical, or interests you want to explore through this design? Welfare Officer Welfare is a priority for this team, and we’re looking for someone who can take overall responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the wellbeing of our large company in a new performance space. This role is flexible, not too time-consuming and can be shaped around you - all of which makes it great for someone who is new to theatre and wants to get a foot into the door! Responsibilities * Monitoring wellbeing of company by checking into rehearsals, workshops and shows * Managing the welfare budget for the show and purchasing snacks and other welfare-related expenses * Organising social events with the core production team * Alerting the production team to welfare issues and dealing with them in an appropriate manner Questions * Why would you like to be a Welfare Officer on this project? * What are the biggest challenges you anticipate on a large musical like this? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to welfare/support? Assistant Producer We’re looking for an Assistant Producer to support Follies in a manner that grows with your interests and experience. This role can be an opportunity to be trained on the job, whatever your theatre experience, while getting involved in an ambitious production in a new venue in a way that suits your availability. The role is flexible so we’d love to discuss your interests and skills - you could be involved in the technical running, the administration or even the rehearsals. Successful applicants might get involved supporting the social media and print campaigns or the operations of the theatre. Responsibilities could grow to include… * Managing show publicity * Coordinating relationships with societies, freshers and colleges * Managing and supporting rehearsals * Operations and Management of Front of House * Building supportive relationships with the creative, technical and/or dramatic teams Questions * Why would you like to be Assistant Producer for this project? * What makes you excited about theatre? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to production/leadership? Tech Roles Stage Manager Follies offers new opportunities and challenges in bringing Sondheim's musical to a different auditorium. We’re looking for a stage management team to adapt and overcome challenges and embrace the opportunity to establish how stage management is done in the Brickhouse Theatre. Requirements * Creating the prompt book with the DSM by familiarising yourself with the script and show at rehearsals * Acquiring and creating props in conversation with the director and designers * Working with Producer, Sound Engineers and Director to establish and familiarise yourself with props, comms systems and safety procedures * Overseeing the stage management team for scene/prop changes * Appointing Assistant stage managers Questions * Why would you like to be stage manager on this project? * What makes you passionate about stage management? * What experience do you have in stage management, leadership, operations or prop-making roles, in or out of theatre? Deputy Stage Manager Follies offers new opportunities and challenges in bringing Sondheim's musical to a different auditorium. We’re looking for deputy stage managers to adapt and overcome challenges and embrace the opportunity to establish how stage management is done in the Brickhouse Theatre. Requirements * Creating the prompt book with the SM * Acquiring and creating props in conversation with the director and designers * Calling the show Questions * Why would you like to be deputy stage manager on this project? * What makes you passionate about deputy stage management? * What experience do you have in stage management, leadership, operations or prop-making roles, in or out of theatre? Technical Director Follies offers new opportunities at challenges for technical directors and carpenters. You'll be responsible for scheduling and organising the designer and constructors. You'll need to work dynamically to meet the standards and requirements of the college, and coordinate with the designer, producer and set constructors to construct the set in the robinson workshop with access to the ADC workshop depending on availability. Responsibilities * Working with the set designer to create a practical design * Navigating and filling out risk assessments and paperwork * Assisting and overseeing set construction * Planning the Get-In and Get-Out and acting as a Technical Representative Questions * Why would you like to be Technical Director for this project? * What experience do you have in technical, carpentry or design work, in or out of theatre? * What uncertainties and obstacles do you anticipate with the set and get-in at Robinson and how would you mitigate these? Sound Designer To transform the Robinson Auditorium into the Weisman Theatre, we’re looking for a sound designer to work with the existing sound engineers and the director to design the soundscape and cue sound effects into a QLab file. Responsibilities * Sourcing and creating sound effects * Creating a QLab file for the DSM (or you) to run on the night Questions * Why would you like to be a Sound Designer for this project? * What makes you passionate about Sound Design? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to sound/music, design or/and sound design? Front of House Operations Roles Operations Manager Follies at the Robinson Auditorium is unique in bringing the chance for students to manage front of house operations to turn Robinson College into the Brickhouse theatre this Michaelmas. This is a new role with no experience required, especially given the unique nature of this opportunity. Therefore, it can scale based on your availability and interest. Responsibilities * Managing the front of house operations on more than one night (but not necessarily all nights to give you opportunity to watch the show/rest/work) including: * Preparing the Theatre for performances * Opening and closing House for each act in coordination with Stage Manager * Assisting and managing audiences as they make their way to their seats * Overseeing the front of house team (including stewards and box office) * Helping with evacuation procedures as a fire steward in the unlikely event of a fire. * The role can grow should you wish to be more involved in operations in areas such as ticketing, stock for concessions, cash/payments, planning FoH operations and collaborating with the College Bar. Perks * Free refreshments from concessions when confirmed * Free ticket to watch the show as an audience member Questions * Why would you like to be Front of House Operations Manager for this project? * What makes you passionate about theatre and operations? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to operations/leadership/hospitality? Steward Team Follies at the Robinson Auditorium is unique in bringing the chance for students to manage front of house operations to turn Robinson College into the Brickhouse theatre this Michaelmas. This steward role has no experience required. We’re looking for a Front of House team to be trained as fire stewards, run concession stands and assist audiences as usual, with the opportunity to sell tickets at the box office. Responsibilities * Preparing the Theatre for performances * Assisting audiences as they make their way to their seats * Selling tickets on the door * Selling programmes and possibly ice cream at the concession stand * Helping with evacuation procedures as a fire steward in the unlikely event of a fire Perks * Free refreshments from concessions when confirmed * Get to watch the show for free when stewarding Questions * Why would you like to be on the Front of House Team for this project? * What makes you passionate about theatre? * What theatre/non-theatre experience do you have related to operations/hospitality?