Volunteer

From beginner to the most seasoned actor, we welcome everyone to audition. Those with special needs please feel free to contact the theatre before the audition to make arrangements for the assistance you may need.  This volunteer area does require a commitment to rehearsals, full availability during tech week and performances.

Rehearsals are typically held:

• 7-10pm Monday through Friday
• 4:30-6:30pm for Civic Youth Theatre Productions
• 4:30-6pm for Penguin Project
• 6:30-9:30pm for Senior Class Reader’s Theatre

Are you a person who has always wondered what is like to be a part of a theatre experience but did not want to be in the spotlight? There are many backstage positions that may be of interest to you, including:

• Stage Management – (5-8 week commitment plus some daytime hours)- These volunteers work with the show from the beginning to end of the process. The stage management team is required at all rehearsals, tech, and performances. Duties of this team include taking blocking notation and maintaining the prompt book, assisting with rehearsal needs for the directors and actors, reporting and communication to the production team, setting up with rooms, safety of the actors, just to name a few.  Stage management teams are asked to attend meetings prior to auditions and attend auditions and callbacks.  Strong commitment to the show is required.  Kindness and friendliness are a must for stage management teams.
• Light board operator – working with computer equipment to ensure that lighting cues are execute at the correct time.
• Sound board operator (A1 operator ) – works with sound equipment to regulate the sound in the theatre that the patrons are hearing.
• A2 sound – Works behind the scenes with the actors to ensure microphone accuracy during the run of the show.
• Playback operator – works with a computer to execute sound cues and projection cues.
• Dresser – Works directly with the actors to ensure that costumes are changed quickly during the performance.
• Floor crew – assist to change out scenery for the show.
• Fly crew – brings in scenery from above the stage by a rope and weight system.
• Follow spot operator – executes lighting cues with the use of special light to highlight an actor(s) on the stage.
• Props crew – assists with presetting and handoffs of items that actors use onstage.

Crew members must be able to remain quiet during the performance.

Tasks that may be required of crew members include climbing a ladder or stairs; lifting or pushing heaving items; working from high locations in the theater.

Crew members may also be asked to work with technology.

Training and guidance will be provided.

All positions require a commitment of tech week (4-5 consecutive days of rehearsals) and performances.

• The greatest perk to volunteering as an Usher is that you have the opportunity to see our performances for free!
• Ushers should observe two important rules when Ushering: safety first and kindness always.
• Ushers should always be courteous and kind to our patrons, as well as their fellow ushers.
• Our Ushers observe a dress code: White and black, in any combination.
• Ushers need excellent interpersonal skill and will be required to greet patrons as they enter the building, hand out programs, assist patrons to their seats, help with any special needs, such as assisted hearing devices or special seating arrangements.
• Ushers may also be called upon to assist in emergency situations.
• We ask that when you usher you do not bring a friend or family member with you. If they would like to usher they must sign up for an usher position and fill out the appropriate paperwork.
• We love to have our younger volunteers usher! Volunteers who are 9 to 15 years old may usher, but must be accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian over the age of 18.

This position may include helping people to their seats and assisting those with special needs, taking tickets, and assisting with cleaning of the theatre before and after the show. Ushers are the first faces that the patrons see and should be welcoming and helpful.  Those working in this volunteer area may stay and watch the performance the day of their service. This volunteer position requires a few hours of time commitment.

• We use Square and tablet devices to sell our concessions. Volunteers must be comfortable with these devices.
• Volunteers must be good with customer service and money handling.

Helps to prepare for special events, tech dinners or other social occasions. Volunteers are asked to prepare food and drink, maintain cleanliness, and assist in any other way needed. When working in hospitality you will be asked to wash hands frequently and wear gloves. When volunteering for a tech dinner, volunteers will be asked to help prepare, serve, and clean up for dinners for the actors on long technical rehearsal days. 4-5 hours of time commitment needed. For volunteers assisting with special events, in the event you are not able to watch the performance on the day of your assignment, we will provide a voucher for a future performance. This area requires a few hours of time commitment.

Volunteers who serve on a Play Reading sub-committee will be required to read scripts on their own, and share in collaborative discussions as a committee. Committees are required to meet no fewer than 4 times, from August to October, and to submit thoughtful recommendations to the Civic for consideration in the next season.

Interested volunteers may be asked to perform a variety of office tasks, including filing, answering phones, computer work, copying, proofreading and other clerical tasks as needed. Flexible hours and scheduling available for this volunteer position.

The Civic houses a  script library that requires maintenance from time to time. This involves cataloging, shelving, pulling and organizing scripts. Flexible hours and scheduling available for this volunteer position.

Join our staff in their workspaces to help build costumes, scenery, or props. Those wishing to paint sets would need to contact the Director of Volunteers to talk about scheduling a time.

Work with the Director of Volunteers, Director of Education and Outreach, or Stage Management teams to process those auditioning or preparing to audition through with paperwork or help in one of the rooms with needs of the Directors.