Be a Volunteer
Be Part of the Team
A successful theatre production involves a myriad of tasks performed by a large team of people. We need a whole cadre of experienced volunteers and must constantly renew ourselves by welcoming and training newcomers. Even the most experienced and accomplished artists were once first-timers. So we invite you to think about the areas in which you have an interest, experience and/or expertise. All the jobs are important. Some need lots of experience and some are easier for a newcomer to do right away. For example, many people first get involved by working Front of House, which is theatre jargon for the job of welcoming patrons, serving at the concession and ensuring the safety of everyone. Training is provided for this and various other jobs.
How do I get started?
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Please note that our newsletters and most other communication is via email. If you do not have email you will need to arrange with a friend or family member to pass on the regular news to you, or you can read it on this website (look under News). Alternatively, for members, if you don’t have email, we can mail you a printed copy of The Prompter a few days after publication.
Much of the work of putting on a play happens over a few weeks or months, so it doesn’t have to be a long term commitment.
Jobs in the theatre are always evolving so please note that some job descriptions are out-of-date. However, they still give you a general idea of what’s involved. Check the date it was last revised for an idea. (Historic means it’s really old.)
| DIRECTOR | The director has the overall responsibility for the entire production and has full artistic and technical control from auditions through to the striking of the set. A fair amount of experience as an actor is needed to be a director. Job Description |
| PRODUCER | The “manager” of a production; responsible for everything that does not happen on stage; finds the crews, oversees the budget, solves problems as they occur. Often the job is divided between an Administrative Producer who handles the business side of things (Administrative Producer) and a Technical Producer who oversees technical/artistic matters such as lights, sound and set (Technical Producer). Combined Job Description |
| FOYER DISPLAY |
Arranges an attractive display in the lobby which usually reflects the theme of the play. The display includes headshots of the cast and crew members and often some rehearsal shots as well. Job Description |
| PHOTOGRAPHER | Takes portraits of the cast and crew as well as photos of the production as it develops, for publicity and archival purposes. Job Description |
| GRAPHIC ARTS DESIGNER | Prepares the art and design of the poster and the programme for a production; arranges for printing and modification of artwork to fit other print and social media needs. The primary images and design are approved by the Director. |
| ACTOR | Attends the auditions. Highly recommended to read the script ahead of time. If cast in the show, follows guidelines as set by the Society and the Director. Job Description |
| PROPS MANAGER | Responsible for the acquisition all the items on stage that actors pick up or carry on. Job Description |
| STAGE MANAGER | In charge of the physical stage area; makes schedules and records blocking; oversees and works with all technical crews; solely responsible for the show as soon as the run starts. Usually “calls the show” (calling each lighting and sound cue) during the run. Job Description |
| COSTUME DESIGNER | Fabricates the overall appearance of a character or performer. This involves researching, designing and building the actual items from conception. Job Description |
| COSTUME SEWER | Acquires, sews, alters costumes. DRESSER –Backstage stage hand involved with quick costume changes and maintaining quality and look of the costumes during the performance. |
| HAIR STYLIST | Arranges for hairstyles, hair pieces, wigs, curling iron, clips, combs, brushes, pins, hair colouring, spray, etc. Job Description |
| MAKEUP MANAGER | Determines needs for each actor; checks/orders make up supplies if necessary. Job Description |
| MAKEUP ASSISTANT | Works with Makeup Manager and applies make up during show. |
| LIGHTING DESIGNER | Makes up rough lighting plot, light sources, mood of each scene, special lighting effects, etc. Creates lighting plot sheet , instrument schedule and gives to lighting technician. Advises and/or assists with any problems encountered by the technician. Job Description |
| LIGHTING OPERATOR | Rigs and controls lights; sets up lighting equipment; works under direction of Lighting Designer. Job Description |
| SOUND DESIGNER | Works with Director to create music and other sound cues. |
| SOUND OPERATOR | Executes all sound-related aspects of show. |
| SET DESIGN | In collaboration with the Director, designs the set or sets for the play, providing detailed drawings for the Set Construction crew and Set Decor crew. Job Description |
| SET CONSTRUCTION HEAD | Works with the Set Designer, studies drawings and/or models, acquires materials, organizes work parties for the construction of the set. |
| SET CONSTRUCTION CREW | Works in collaboration with Set Construction Head to build the set. |
| SET DECOR | Following set construction, works with the Set Designer and Director to “finish” the set – including, painting, floor and wall coverings, furniture and all other objects that are not picked up by actors (those are props). Job Description |
| FRONT OF HOUSE HEAD | Responsible for the comfort and safety of the audience; purchases coffee supplies and snacks for the concession, schedules assistants for each evening, handles money, etc. Job Description |
| FRONT OF HOUSE VOLUNTEER | Assists Front of House Head: greets patrons, serves in the concession, may assist in scanning of tickets, assists patrons with mobility challenges, responds to emergencies. This position requires attendance at a training session offered regularly. |
| BOX OFFICE | We use a computerized, online source, TixHub, for selling and printing tickets. Box office personnel need to be able to use a computer and receive basic training in how to sell and print tickets during the hour before each play begins. The Box Office Coordinator recruits and trains volunteers and draws up a schedule for each production. The Box Office Administrator runs the “back end” of the ticketing system and deals with TixHub to resolve problems. |
| BAR MANAGER | Responsible for purchasing supplies, license, setup and running of bar during Opening Night. Must have a “Serving it Right” Certificate. Job Description |
| OPENING GALA FOOD | Provides or arranges to be provided a selection of finger food provided to patrons, cast and crew at each production’s Opening Night Gala following the first performance. May volunteer for one show only or for the season. |
| MARKETING TEAM | Manages marketing through various media for each production and for other events. Uses paid advertising, our own newsletter, media releases and various social media. |
| ARCHIVES | Collects and stores information, photos, programmes and posters from past and present productions for our written records and inclusion on our website. |
| SPONSORSHIPS | Sells sponsorship packages to local businesses and others who have local branches, to support each production in return for public recognition. |
| FUNDRAISING | A small fundraising team works to find sources of grants, write grant applications, and seek donations or gifts-in-kind from the public and local businesses to support special capital projects (building updates or technical equipment). |
| PROGRAMME AD SALES | Seeks local business to buy advertisements for inclusion in season’s programmes. This is mostly a once per year task. |
| SPECIAL EVENT PLANNING | Creates, manages and provides special events on behalf of the theatre or current production. These might include the September “Open House”, Fall Fair Parade, Galas. |
| WEBSITE | Maintains the company website, designing new pages, ensuring information is up to date. One person needs to be the webmaster (needs some technical skills) and others may be contributors. These people also need to be “in the know” about what is happening at the theatre. |
| WORKSHOP COORDINATOR | Co-ordinates logistical and financial aspects of workshop, arranging for leadership and/or resources. Workshop topics are often suggested by the Artistic Committee and handed off to the Workshop Coordinator. |
What Happens Now?
Because of the nature of community theatre, we don’t have a staff or tight system for managing volunteers, so there are things you can do to maximize your chances of being involved.
- Be proactive. Watch for what’s coming up and offer to be involved. Early announcements will include a contact person for that show.
- Show up. Come to the annual Open House each September. Attend the AGM, also in September. There is usually a volunteer sign-up sheet at those events. If it’s offered, come to our Theatre 101 workshop. It’s well worth your time.