The Oxford Players to make their debut at Kellogg College

A new student-led drama society, founded by Kellogg student Maximilian Stecher (MSt Film Aesthetics), is preparing for its debut performance next month – and it all started with an idea sparked by the College community.

Soon after arriving in Oxford, Maximilian was inspired by the creativity he saw among his fellow students at Kellogg and across the University. This led him to establish The Oxford Players – a collaborative group bringing together writers, directors, performers, artists and creatives, both within Oxford and beyond.

“I wanted to harness the creative potential among the student body here, but also to establish a group that could tap into professional networks and draw on talent from elsewhere in the University,” says Maximilian.

After initial conversations with supportive tutors and peers, the idea quickly gathered momentum. Just a few months later, The Oxford Players boasts 77 members, ranging from students and researchers to theatre professionals from Oxford, London and further afield.

More than just a drama group, The Oxford Players has grown into a vibrant creative network. It offers opportunities for students to collaborate – whether finding a cinematographer for a filming project, casting actors for a new play, or sharing skills in voice coaching and audition technique.

However, performance remains at the heart of the society’s mission. Its first production, Stories that Changed the World, will be staged at Kellogg College for one night only on Monday 9 June at 7pm. The show features five original short plays – some fact-based, others fictional – all exploring moments, people or ideas that helped to shape the world.

The performance will open this year’s Community Week at Kellogg – a celebration of the people who make up our College, and a central part of our Giving Day 2025 campaign.

“I think it’s fitting that our inaugural performance marks the start of Community Week,” says Maximilian. “The Oxford Players was founded because of the exceptional people I met when I arrived at Kellogg – and it was only made possible thanks to the generosity of donors who support student-led initiatives like this.”

Stories that Changed the World takes place at 7pm on 9 June in the College Hub, with the show due to last about an hour. A drinks reception will take place immediately following the event.

• Reserve your seat for Stories that Changed the World
• Find out more about Giving Day 2025 and how you can support student initiatives at Kellogg