Join Us

Being part of a society is so rewarding and really helps unleash your creativity, whether you love to act, dance, sing or be more hands on backstage or even directing!

How to Join

1. Email secretary@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk (or fill in our Contact Form) and tell us who you are, how old you are, your contact details and why you want to join. (For details on how we use your personal data please see our privacy policy)

2. We’ll ask you to pay our £10 annual membership fee. (Membership runs from 1st April to 31st March. Please note that Membership fees become due again on 1st April no matter what point in the calendar year you originally joined us).

Watch our Join Us Video

Testimonials

I must admit to not knowing anything about COS before joining. I hadn’t performed since I was at school some 15 years earlier and just knew I wanted to start up again and COS just happened to be auditioning for Jekyll and Hyde at that time. I went to the first audition not knowing a single person but, some 4 years later, I have some of the best friends anyone could hope for! Add in the fact that Colchester Operatic put on absolutely stunning shows year after year is really the icing on the cake. It has some of the most welcoming and inclusive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and I’m so glad I took the plunge when I did

[Steve Woodward, joined COS in 2016]

Thank you for being the most welcoming society EVER!. It’s been a real treat getting to know each and everyone one of you. It’s not often you work with such kind, funny and talented people. As a new member to the society it’s always daunting not knowing what you are walking into but luckily for everyone new to the show its those warm COS open arms. One of the best parts about this cast is the level of inclusion and just how amazing you all are. There aren’t even words to describe how thoughtful and supportive you all are. Thank you for the gifts, kind words and delightful memories. As a performer you need shows like this to remind you that it’s just as wonderful off stage as it is onstage. The dressing rooms these past few weeks have been so much fun. Open doors and open hearts. Please no one stop performing in shows or concerts or events because the little sparkle each of you give is truly magical. “Thanks for giving this moment to me When just for a moment things stop Here at the top of the world”

[Keegan Featherstone, joined COS in 2021]

We welcome members aged 16 and over

We have a junior members group, aged 11 – 23, known collectively as ‘CO2′ (Colchester Operatic Society Second Edition), which is incredibly popular. CO2 produces an annual show in the Autumn for a two week run at The Mercury Theatre . If you are between 11-23 and want to be part of our CO2 Youth Group, click here.

Why Join?

Regular newsletters.
The opportunity to audition and perform in prestigious venues with high production value.
Theatre experience – a platform for learning & perfecting your performance and/or technical skills
Regular social events.
An incredibly nurturing environment that drives creativity.
A fun and fulfilling experience – and amazing memories!
Be part of and support the local theatre community

Membership Costs just £10 per year!

A Show Fee is approximately £85 and a Concert Fee is approximately £35

As a charity and local community group we pride ourselves on putting on the best level show year on year.

Membership and Show Fees help to cover some of our expenses including:

Theatre Hires (Either at the The Mercury Theatre seating up to 530 people or The Headgate Theatre seating up to 79 for smaller concerts)
Rehearsal Space Costs (we usually rehearse two or three times a week for shows)
Director & Musical Director Fees
Set Hire
Costume & Props Hire
Show Licensing & Script/Score Hire
Equipment Hire
Orchestra/Band Hire
Expenses (Moving show items from storage to theatre, van hire for various transport to and from theatre)

We understand paying show fees upfront may not be easily affordable for some and are happy for them to be paid by instalments. In addition, thanks to a funding grant from Provide CIC, we have set up a show fee bursary for members to enable those with low or no income, who can’t afford to pay their show fee, to participate in our productions. Members simply apply using an online form found in the members area of the website. If you would like to generously Donate towards the Bursary fund please visit our Donate Page for details.

If you’ve heard of us or seen one of our shows and would like to join us then drop us an email at secretary@colchesteroperaticsociety.co.uk or fill in our Contact form

Come and audition!

You can audition for more than one role, as well as audition for chorus, usually in groups of four. There will be a small audition panel of around 5 people, including the musical director and the director. We follow an open audition format so you’re welcome to stick around and see everyone else audition. Don’t worry, we provide all the audition pieces, and videos for choreography, before the day so you have plenty of time to practice.

Auditioning is quite simple, although as with any auditions, they can be a little scary or daunting but you are not alone in feeling like this; we all feel the same, even the seasoned COS members!

Before joining COS I was apprehensive because I had heard that operatic societies can be very ‘cliquey’ and unwelcoming to newcomers. Although there are friendship groups that have been formed from many years of doing shows together, I never felt unwelcome and in time formed my own friendship group. I love being a part of COS and look forward to what’s next.

[Becki Lee, who joined COS in 2019]

Get in touch to find out about our next auditions and then come and meet us at our friendly pre audition rehearsals. It’s a great way to familiarise yourself with the audition pieces and we will run through the process so that you know what to expect.

COS is a company with a long history and a reputation for shows of a high calibre, so it’s understandable that I was nervous going into the pre-audition workshop. But once there, I found the existing members were very welcoming. As we went into the rehearsal stage, I felt a real sense of support and encouragement from my fellow cast members, which allowed me to give as much as possible to my performance.

[Kate Cavill, who joined COS in 2019]

To view and/or download our Audition processes click here.

View answers to Frequently Asked Questions about COS here