Galway University Musical Society (GUMS) is known for being the only college musical society to let everyone take part. It doesn't matter if the closest thing to being on stage was your Junior Infant Nativity play - all that you need to have to be in GUMS is enthusiasm, a love of musicals (or at least to be prepared to love musicals) and a willingness to get involved.
GUMS is the most active society on campus, having won the Most ALIVE Society for three years in a row at the annual Socs Awards. Not only do we put on a full scale musical production annually, but we also have a collaborative musical with the University of Galway drama society, Dramsoc, a Freshers' Showcase for all of our new members to showcase their talent, a competing Musical Intervarsities (Féile Ardáin) Team, our Semester Two Mini Musical, along with many other exciting opportunities to perform.
GUMS' main aims are to stage a fantastic show while also encouraging creativity, fun, new friendships and new experiences for all its members. As we're so busy, GUMS is so perfect for first years who feel a little lost when coming to college. We love welcoming new members, and our committee and older members are always ready to help anyone who ever needs it.
Along with all our other events, GUMS like to have a lot of house parties (for bonding), our annual GUMS Ball (full of cheesy music to delight anyone who loves that whole 90's/00's vibe AND of course show tunes) and plenty of other social events in collaboration with other societies and our amazing sponsors around Galway City!
Our main musical takes place in the Black Box Theatre of Galway every year. Most recently, our production of 'Follies' (2026) took to the stage, earning 3 AIMS nominations - Best Director (Keith Hanley), Best Actor (Jonathan Newman), and Best Actress (Kate Timothy). Other past shows include 'Guys and Dolls' (2025), 'American Idiot' (2024), 'All Shook Up' (2023), 'Carrie' (2022), 'Kipps: A Half Sixpence Musical' (2020), 'Pippin' (2019), 'The Producers' (2018), 'Urinetown' (2017), 'The Addams Family' (2016), 'Cabaret' (2015), 'The Drowsy Chaperone' (2014), and more.
And if you can't commit to our main musicals there are other ways to take part including:
All in all, whether you are a seasoned performer with an ache for front and centre, or someone who wants to try their hand at something new either on or off-stage, or even if you just want to make some solid friendships and have a laugh - GUMS is the place for you and our door is always open to new family.
You can find us on Instagram (gumsagram) and Facebook (GUMS: Galway University Musical Society)
Email: musical@socs.universityofgalway.ie
Instagram: gumsagram
Facebook: GUMS: Galway University Musical Society
TikTok: gumsug
