Our Society

Amateur dramatics have been at the heart of the towns entertainment for well over 100 years. Since its inception in 1930, Sturminster Newton Amateur Dramatics Society (SNADS) has been one of Sturminster’s most energetic groups.

In the early years, the regular venue was the Comrades Hut (now the British Legion), where a portable stage would have to be assembled before each production.

SNADS put on its first locally written pantomime, Dick Whittington, in 1955, thus starting a tradition which has seen most of the pantomimes penned by local writers.

SNADS has also been a stalwart of the Carnival, frequently winning the coveted Championship Rose Bowl. There have been festival entries and the occasional touring production - two plays have been taken to the local prison, Guys Marsh.

In 1967, SNADS moved into the then new Sturminster Hall and for the first time had a permanent stage on which to perform their usual offerings of two plays and a pantomime every year!

A new chapter opened for SNADS since their current home, The Exchange, opened in 2007. Now, for the first time, the society has a professional-sized stage and storage for costumes, scenery and props, all under one roof. SNADS has a large and enthusiastic membership which brings together a wide variety of people who enjoy each other’s company as well as putting on entertainment to a very high standard.

More recently, SNADS have been nominated and have won NODA awards over the last 3 years, including nominations and wins for Rabbit, Directed by Toby Greenfield, nominations for Aladdin and Sweet Sorrow, with Sue Ashby winning a writers award for Sweet Sorrow, and a nomination for Best Small Pantomime for Cinderella.

Over the coming months, SNADS are in preparation for a number of shows and workshops, including the upcoming Juniors’ workshops of The Write Gang and the Summer Workshop, alongside plays of All Over Lovely & Easy Access (For The Boys) and The Vicar of Dibley Part 2! All gearing up to our next pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears. More information coming soon!

The Current Committee

The committee generally meets on a monthly basis at The Exchange. Anyone is welcome to attend a committee meeting. If you have an item, issue or suggestion you would like to be discussed then please contact the secretary and ask for it to go on the meeting agenda.

  • Trevor Puckett

    A point of contact for questions and advice and a key role in conflict resolution within the society.

  • Toby Greenfield

    To lead and guide general discussion and decision making within the society, with the societies best interests in mind. Ensuring focus and that the society is heading in the right direction.

  • Alice Ralph

    A key member in supporting the chairman in their roles and responsibilities, taking on the duties of the chairman should they become unavailable.

  • George Lipop

    Minute Taking, Newsletter Making, Handling Communication and our first point of contact to the wider community.

  • Chris Hawkins

    Managing Finances, Budgeting, Banking and Finance Reporting.

  • Jessica Allen

    A valuable member of committee assisting all other members in their individual roles, without whom the society would struggle to run smoothly.

  • Sophia Olford

    Liaison between Junior members of the society and the committee.

  • Tasmin Allen

    Managing publicity and advertisement for the society.

  • Laura Drew

    Jane Filby

    Matt Rawson-Bates

    Joe Selby

  • Alice Ralph

    Deputy - Open Position

    Role of safeguarding and child protection within the society.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!