AUDITIONS
Audition notices are often posted on our social media pages with details and more information. Be sure to join our Auditions mailing list where we promote most auditions via email. When possible, we will also post the audition information below.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization, and are always looking for those who may be interested in being part of our community, from production staff to cast members, backstage to front of house! We welcome volunteers of all experience and skill levels.
FRONT OF HOUSE STAFF
House Managers are responsible for the care and well-being of the audience and the areas of the theater that the audience uses. Responsibilities include:
- making sure the seating area and lobby are ready for the audience
- supervising the taking of tickets, seating of audience
- informing the Stage Manager when the audience is in place
- overseeing the intermission, including concessions/refreshments, flashing the lights at the intermission and and informing the Stage Manager when the audience is reseated
- supervising the safe and efficient exiting of the audience when the show is over
- sometimes supervising the superficial clean-up of the house (picking up discarded playbills, tickets, cups and refreshment wrappers, etc.) after the audience has left
The House Manager is assisted by, and in charge of, Ushers and Concessions.
Facilities Coordinators are responsible for the general monitoring/upkeep of the public and cast/crew areas of the building. Responsibilities include:
- supervising the cleaning vendors and ensuring they are performing their responsibilities
- purchasing toiletry supplies (toilet paper, paper towels, misc. cleaning products) for the public restrooms and cast restrooms
- making sure the public restrooms and dressing rooms are ready for the public and cast (vendor cleaned and toiletries are supplied, and plumbing is working)
- ensuring the air conditioners and heat are working, and HVAC filters are clean
- hiring repair crews, in an emergency, after confirming allowable budget with President & VP
- informing the President & VP of any facility issues or repairs that need to be made
The Box Office Manager supervises the Box Office Attendants and ticket sales. Specific responsibilities may include:
- becoming an expert at usage of ticketing software systems
- troubleshooting website issues
- troubleshooting refund issues
- creating new seasons and other needs such as coupons or discount codes
- training Box Office Attendants
The Box Office Attendants often help manage the box office over the course of several shows during a season. Specific responsibilities may include:
- taking prepaid tickets at the box office, and providing a playbill
- selling new tickets at the door, and answering general questions about times/seating, etc
- processing gift certificates and other discounts or coordinating complimentary admissions
- listening to the answering machine and answering the telephone and taking telephone orders/requests and answering general questions
- responding to emails, to look for reservation requests as opposed to prepaid tickets
- using ticketing software to process the above, or running other reports at the request of Villager staff
Ushers are recruited on a show-by-show basis in exchange for the chance to see the show for free. Responsibilities may include:
- ensuring proof of purchase is shows at the audience entrance to the stage
- greeting the audience at the doors, handing them playbills and showing them to their seats
- holding late-comers outside the doors until an appropriate moment to seat them and then unobtrusively showing them to their seats
- dealing with any audience disruptions including flash photography, disruptive audience members, sickness, fights, emergencies of any kind
- helping the House Manager prepare the house ready before the performance and straighten up after the audience leaves
- sometimes helping with Concession preparation and sales
Concession Attendants volunteer behind the concession stand and in the lobby for special events. Responsibilities may include:
- handling purchase/delivery/setup of food/drink that will be sold at theater concession stands
- selling food/drink and handling cash transactions at the theater concession stand
- straighten up/clean the concession stand area before/during/after show
- sometimes, setting up tables and food/drink in the lobby for special events such as opening night wine/cheese parties
- sometimes, helping the House Manager and/or Ushers with other misc. House tasks
ADVERTISING/PR
Contact print magazines and online services to negotiate advertising rates for print or banner ads to be placed in/on third party locations, relating to musicals and plays which will be performed at the theater; coordinate vendors who will sponsor ads in PlayVills.
Brainstorm marketing tactics and promotions that will help to spread the word about Villagers Theatre and our productions.
Obtain publicity for musicals and plays which will be performed at the theater; writing press releases and distributing via online services and message boards/blogs.
FUNDRAISING/GRANTS
Income from ticket sales only cover a portion of our operating funds. Other income streams are necessary, in order to continue operating. Fundraising, large or small, is one of the most important jobs that anyone can do!
Large expense items have to be planned for, such as: roofing, HVAC, renovations, technical improvements, etc. This requires working with Facilities to obtain quotes for large items.
Smaller/easier to manage activities may include: Selling ads in our Programs/PlayVills, special events, 50/50’s, silent auctions and raffles.
More involved activities may include leading a steering committee to obtain large corporate donations.
Grants are available from various federal, state, county, municipal or private/corporate grants. It takes time to research what is available, and also to put together the documents each grant requires, and to fill out the grant applications.
PRODUCTION LEADERS
- Responsible for planning, engineering, executing and supervising all technical aspects of the theatre and productions including set builds, lights, sound, electrical and other technical elements. Participates in recruiting and training technical resources.
- Participates with Producers in the development of preliminary budgets and production schedules (meetings & implementation plans) of technical elements of a production.
- Collaborate with designers/directors to assess financial and practical feasibility of designs and to establish methods for executing the design and construction of the set, scenery, lighting, and their integration with other technical elements of the productions.
- Prepare, organize, and communicate relevant technical information to other staff members, ensuring production needs are scheduled, purchased, built, installed and struck in a timely, safe, and resource efficient manner, in line with the artistic vision and available resources.
- When required, provide suggestions on scope adjustments as needed.
- Supervise the maintenance and security of workshop storage, equipment and supply inventory.
The Master Carpenter reports to the Technical Director and will be in charge of setting production policies and procedures as they pertain to all aspects of Workshop use and Set Building and Striking. S/he is responsible for supervising the material purchasing, building and subsequent strike of production sets. They also ensure that Set Builders, in their show specific production tasks, are following policy and procedures.