Trinity College Dramatic Society
A Trinity College Dramatic Club was formed in 1892 at the University of Trinity College
(Toronto, Ontario), apparently under the auspices of Lally McCarthy (a Trinity College
graduate of the same year). The Dramatic Club produced plays in Toronto and toured
Guelph, Woodstock, Brantford, and Hamilton in 1894, ultimately bankrupting itself later
that year.
The Trinity College Dramatic Society (TCDS) is known to have existed as early as 1919,
with annual productions beginning in 1921. Little is currently known about dramatic
activities at the University of Trinity College during the years between the insolvency of
the Dramatic Club in 1894 and the emergence of the TCDS, but a few records exist – and
are described within this collection – testifying to the existence of dramatic activities,
however casual, during those years.
In 1921 the operation of the Hart House Theatre at the University of Toronto was
transferred from The Player’s Club to the Board of Syndics. Trinity College had federated
with the University of Toronto seven years earlier and sought to obtain the Hart House
Theatre, under its new management, as the venue for its annual productions. Since the
opening of the George Ignatieff Theatre (GIT) in 1979, it has formed the main venue for
the TCDS’ productions. However, plays have also been held in Cartwright Hall (at Saint
Hilda’s College), the quadrangle, Seeley Hall, and the chapel.
Over the years, the TCDS’ activities have increased. At first, one play was produced per
year. Later, two or three additional short or student-authored plays were also produced
per year. Nowadays several major productions are mounted every school year, as well as
special events such as an orientation (or frosh) week play and “Shakespeare in the
Quad.” The TCDS arranges the College’s contributions to various intra- or inter-university
drama festivals and organizes events such as play readings, workshops, screenings,
revues, and parties. Every year, the TCDS celebrates students’ involvement in dramatic
endeavours with the “Iggies” (short for “Ignatieff”), an award ceremony in the style of the
Academy Awards, where students are presented with “Iggy Awards.”
All students of Trinity College are automatically members of the TCDS and events are
mainly student-run. An elected executive handles the administration of the TCDS.
