Gray Wood

I have been an active and enthusiastic member of several PA societies over my 3 years at uni, spanning music, theatricals and stage tech, as well as extensive PA experience outside of uni. As a result, I am very passionate about performing arts, and the role they can play in bringing people together and being a force for change. I have been on committee for 3 different PA societies, and have gained a thorough understanding of the behind-the-scenes mechanisms, and challenges, of running a society.

As PA Officer I would hope to bring the PA community together, as well as widening outreach, through 5 main aims:

1. Facilitate effective communication between SUSU and PA societies

PA societies do so many different activities, and have such different needs, and it is vital that these are effectively communicated to SUSU, so that they can best provide support. I would hope to act as a direct communication link with societies, through both meetings with the VP Activities, and PA committee meetings.

2. Improve the publicity of PA society events to the general public

I am loving the work that Amy is doing in creating the @sususocs social medias – I’d love to work with her to further that work and make sure societies can easily communicate to get their events promoted. I’d also like to explore whether there could be more physical advertisement on campus, around venues such as the Turner Sims and Annex Theatre.

3. Help PA societies to improve the sustainability of their activities

As an environmental science student, I would really like to bring in my knowledge of sustainability and environmental management to help societies assess where the most effective changes could be made to reduce their climate impacts, and to work with SUSU to find support to make any changes necessary. This work would tie in to the University’s wider commitment to sustainability.

4. Work to develop the accessibility and inclusion of PA societies

Accessibility and inclusion are vital to making societies welcoming and supportive, which is one of the main reasons people join societies in the first place. I would like to work to make societies more physically accessible, ensuring they are able to meet in accessible rooms, as well as supporting societies in any internal work they are doing. I would hope to be able to bring in the valuable work that societies such as BSL society and NDDsoc are doing, in further informing how this could be effectively done.

5. Represent and advocate for PA to SUSU and the University

But overall, I would most like to be able to represent the PA societies to SUSU and the University as a whole, acting as a channel for communication, and advocating for the needs of the Performing Arts. The arts are so important to wellbeing and community, and often get forgotten, and through my experience working with leadership teams and communicating with different groups, I would hope I could bring a positive, assertive voice to the team.