There are over 500 people who volunteer some of their time at RLT. Some of those have been at the theatre over 25 years and there are some who have just joined this year.

So why would I want to get involved?

Here are some reasons:

• Learn a new skill. For example, wood-working, making props, sewing, project management, leadership, organization. There are many opportunities where no prior skill is required.
• Act on stage. Perhaps you'd like to try "treading the boards"? (no, you don't have to work backstage on a show before you can audition at RLT)
• Have a sense of accomplishment. There's nothing better than to see a show open that you know you had a hand in getting off the ground.
• Make new friends. There are plenty of friendly people who will always greet you with a smile and are happy to see you.
• Spend quality time away from your family, or with your family :-)
• Community Service. Perhaps you just want to "give back" to the community you've grown up in (or are new to). Some schools give you extra credit for this.

What can I do?

As you can imagine, activities at RLT revolve around the shows we do.  The theatre puts on 11 productions every season (July-June), so its just about one per month.  And each production runs for 2-3 weeks. So as you can see, as one show closes, the next one is just about to start.

As to the shows that are planned for this season, see our Season Schedule and check out the information there.

So here are some of the tasks volunteers do at the theatre. Click the links to read more about these roles. The theatre maintains a series of volunteer handbooks which describe many of the volunteer roles.

Auditions and rehearsal:

• Audition coordinator
• Assistant to the Director
• Stage Manager
• Props Crew Chief
• Light Crew Chief
• Sound Crew Chief
• Running Crew Chief
• Dresser Crew Chief

Construction:

• Set assembly and construction (woodwork, metal work, painting, etc)
• Costume construction (sewing, etc)
• Props Master

Advertising and box office

• Assemble mailings for member ticket order forms, etc
• Poster design
• Playbill assembly
• Answering the business office phone
• Taking ticket orders in the box office from patrons over the phone or in person
• Other office activities

Productions:

• Assistant Stage Manager
• Props crew member
• Light crew member (including follow spotlight operators)
• Sound crew member
• Running crew member
• Dresser crew member
• Ushers
• House Managers
• Concessions crew member

Where do I start?

If you're new to the theatre the best place to start is work on a show as one of the crew members (props, lights, sound, running, dressing) or to work as an usher (handing out playbills, showing patrons their seats). Here's some simple steps:

1. Join the RLTvolunteers mailing list
2. Watch out for emails from crew chiefs asking for crews or other emails from people asking for volunteers
3. Reply, saying you're interested and you're new
4. The crew chief will provide training

In addition, you may also want to come to the next RLT Back Stage Night (see below).

Once you're been on a crew, next you could try another crew, or try your hand as a crew chief. You could also help with construction (set, costumes or props).  If you've tried ushering, perhaps next as a House Manager.

How much time must I commit?

You pick the activities you want to do, based on how much time you have. For example:

• As an usher, 1 night of your time.
• A crew member will probably need to commit to 2-6 nights of time.  One of these will be during a rehearsal where you can get taught how to perform your duties, and the remainder will be the nights of the performances you will be working on.
• As someone who's helping during a construction session, or a strike (where the set is pulled down at the end of the show), just that time (eg 4 hours)
• As a crew chief, you'll attend many of the shows, all of the rehearsals in the week before opening night plus other time away from the theatre organizing your crews
• As Assistant to the Director, you'll attend many if not all of the rehearsals.  Rehearsals typically go for 4-6 weeks, 4-7 days a week, depending on the show and the Director.
• As Stage Manager, you'll attend every rehearsal and every show.  You typically are the first to arrive, and the last to leave.  The Stage Manager has to commit the most amount of time of all volunteer positions.

Back Stage Night

The theatre holds a Back Stage Night every six months, typically in January and in July.  This is where members of the public are invited to see how the theatre operates behind the scenes.

• You'll hear about the different volunteer positions
• You'll meet the RLT staff members
• You'll be invited to go on a tour of the building, with stops at various areas such as the scene shop, both indoor stages (main stage and the Gaddy Goodwin), constume shop, and more
• You'll have the opportunity to chat to other volunteers out in the lobby with drinks and snacks

Back Stage Night is advertised via the RLTvolunteers mailing list and on this Web site, as well as in newspapers.

Who do I contact for more information?

If you need more information about volunteering call or email either of the following people.  See the staff member listing for contact info.

• Jim Zervas, Technical Director
• Wayne Olson, Office Manager

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