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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Though the actors onstage are the most visible, it takes the time and talent of nearly 150 volunteers to stage each production. So if you are not an actor and would not set foot on stage if your life depended on it, you are not alone! Our members are involved in a myriad of other activities that are required for the operation of a successful production and theater. Read through the following and then let us know how you’d like to help!
Front of the House
If you would like to work in any of these areas, please contact:
Business Manager
Virginia Lacey: 703.683.5778 x2 / virginia@thelittletheatre.com
Ushers
No experience is necessary for this volunteer work. Arrive on time before the show, stand at the door, take tickets and hand out Playbills. For intermission, Ushers prepare the punch bowls, are friendly and smile a lot. LTA needs two volunteer ushers for each performance. This is an easy commitment that allows you to get to know LTA and decide what other activities, if any, you may wish to become involved in.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Minimal
House Manager
The House Manager plays an important role both before and during each performance. The House Manger prepares the theater for the arrival of the audience, supervises the ushers, answers questions from the audience, and assists patrons with special needs—including special headsets for the hearing impaired and special attention for patrons in wheel chairs. In coordination with the Stage Manager, the House manager makes sure that everything runs smoothly from the time the first patrons arrive until the curtain opens.
Experience Required: Some / Time Commitment: Minimal
Box Office
If you would like to work in this area, please contact:
Box Office Manager
Tina Barry: 703.683.5778 x1 / tina@thelittletheatre.com
The LTA Box Office must be staffed by our Box Office volunteers during both the afternoon and evening office hours. Box Office volunteers should have good telephone communication skills, good manners and a calm demeanor to assist the public in the ticket booth or office on performance dates. Some training is required, but we are happy to work with anyone interested. No previous experience is necessary.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Varies
Productions
If you would like to work on a production, please contact:
Producer (see list) or
Volunteer Coordinator
Margie Remmers: 703.921.9015 / margie@theremmersfamily.com
Set Design
When the curtain opens, the first thing the audience usually sees is the set. Everything from walls, windows, doors, stairs, and sometimes even outdoor scenery must be designed and created. A Set Designer usually has some experience in architecture or related structural design.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Varies
Set Construction
Set construction workers are responsible for implementing the set designer’s design and turning it into a real working environment for the actors. If you like to build stuff with power tools, this job is for you.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Varies
Set Decoration
Once the set has been painted, it's time to decorate! Set Decoration includes furniture, lamps, wall hangings, curtains, books, plants and other touches to make the set feel like home. Set decorators gather materials from LTA's extensive selection and occasionally get to go shopping for new items. If you love interior designing with someone else's budget, this is the job for you!
Experience Required: None to Moderate / Time Commitment: Minimal
Paint
Once the set has been built, it must be painted. This can vary anywhere from a solid color, a pattern to mimic wallpaper, or an intricate scenic design.
Experience Required: None to Moderate / Time Commitment: Minimal
Lighting Design
Every show must have lighting. The Lighting Designer, working with the Director, lights up the stage, sets the mood and adds special effects to make the production more exciting. Do we need a follow spot? Are special color effects required? Are certain areas specially lit? The position calls for a knowledge of lighting theory and light instruments. It also helps if this individual can climb a tall ladder.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Varies
Lighting Crew
Someone has to help the Lighting Designer hang and focus the lights as well as run our computerized light board during each performance. Cues are set by the Lighting Designer and called by the Stage Manager, but we need someone to actually push the buttons that make the lights appear. You get a great view of the performance!
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Minimal
Master Electrician
The Master Electrician is the Lighting Designer’s right-hand man (or woman). He or she is responsible for rounding up the lighting crew and ensuring that the designer’s vision becomes a reality.
Experience Required: Moderate / Time Commitment: Varies
Sound Design
Yes, this almost always involves special sound effects such as a key turning in a door lock or a toilet flushing, but more importantly, it means music. Sound Designers should know something about music to be able to work with the Director to find just the right sounds and music to create the desired mood. This person also should be willing to learn how to use LTA’s state-of-the-art sound equipment. We are always looking for good sound people.
Experience Required: Moderate / Time Commitment: Varies
Sound Crew
Every production uses some sound. It may be music played in the auditorium before the show, wireless microphones worn by the singers, or it could be sound effects played during the performance. Whatever it is, we need someone to actually run the sound equipment. You sit in the sound booth above the audience, wearing a headset to stay in contact with the Stage Manager who will be calling the cues. You will attend rehearsals and run the sound for several performances during the run of the show. No previous experience is necessary; we will train you.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Minimal
Costume Design
Sometimes designing costumes for each performer is accomplished by simply pulling something from our costume room or personal sources. Other times, the costume designer may have to create entirely new costumes for most or all of the performers. If you have designing ability and would like to create costumes for a cast, this is a great opportunity. Working closely with the Producer and Director, the Costume Designer ensures that all performers are clad in attire appropriate to the story and setting all within a specific budget.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Varies
Sew Costumes
Once the costumes are designed, they must be built. We have the sewing room and the machines, but we need experienced garment makers who can help create the dresses, suits, etc. used in our productions. Even when we use costumes from our costume room, they must be fitted to the performers. This is especially true for our large musicals that require many costumes. If you enjoy sewing and are willing to work with patterns, we urge you to volunteer for this department.
Experience Required: Moderate / Time Commitment: Varies
Wardrobe
During the run of the show, we need people backstage to assist with "quick changes" and to fix costumes when they lose a button or are torn. The person in charge of wardrobe is also responsible for having costumes laundered or dry cleaned throughout the run of a show.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Minimal
Props
A prop is anything an actor touches on stage—a book, a cigarette, a sword, a cup, food—you name it. The prop designer gathers the props that the actors will need (from LTA’s extensive collection or from local stores) and ensures that they are ready and available for each performance (and some rehearsals). Props crew are also needed at each performance to get out, put away, and take care of each prop.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Varies (Minimal for Props Crew)
Makeup Design
Each production requires a makeup designer to ensure that the actors look good (or bad as the show requires). The makeup designer will coordinate all special makeup requirements, i.e., old age makeup, special effect makeup, and, when necessary, wigs and hair styling. The makeup designer and makeup crew are responsible for assisting or training the actors in applying the appropriate makeup.
Experience Required: None (Crew) to Moderate (Designer)
Time Commitment: Varies
Stage Manage
A stage manager gets involved in all aspects of a production because once the show opens, the stage manager is in charge. The Stage Manager attends rehearsals, works with the cast, discusses the light and sound cues with the designers and Director and ensures that everything and everyone is in place for each performance. The Stage Manager calls all of the cues, ensures that the cast members are in place during performances, opens the curtain and sometimes handles sound effect duties backstage. This is a position for which we will train someone. Be prepared to be very busy.
Experience Required: Moderate / Time Commitment: Extensive
Direct
Experienced Directors are always sought for our main stage productions. Directors are hired for each production after a rigorous interview process. For those interested in learning to direct, we can assign them to assist more experienced Directors, then give them a chance to try their skills on one of our one-act play productions. As a tradition, LTA tries to select at least two Directors each season who have not worked with us before (or at least for many years).
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Extensive
Produce
As with our Directors, Producers must be experienced people. We will, however, train new members who are willing to prepare themselves to produce shows in future seasons. The Producer is the CEO of the Production. The Producer hires the Designers and Crew Chiefs, keeps the show within budget, arranges meetings and handles all problems. The Producer is required to be at all rehearsals and every performance. If interested, we will assign you to assist an experienced Producer to learn the ropes (and meet the numerous people you will need to know for a successful production).
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Extensive
Choreograph
All of our musical productions require the involvement of an experienced choreographer to ensure that the actors and dancers know where and how to move. The Choreographer works closely with the Director to design all of the dances in a production and then teaches them to the cast. The Choreographer must also prepare and conduct a dance audition as a part of the audition process.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Extensive
Music Director
The Music Director is a central figure in all of our musical productions. In collaboration with the Director, the Music Director selects the cast and the orchestra, teaches the music to the singers and to the orchestra and conducts the orchestra during all performances. This position requires an experienced musician with a background in both vocal and instrumental music.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive / Time Commitment: Extensive
Catering
If you love food and adore putting on a party, LTA has two opportunities for you. First, Opening Night is always a special event at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. Following the show, we have a gala black tie party on our Green Room. The host of the party, usually with a group of assistants, selects the menu, prepares the food, sets up and decorates the Green Room and cleans up after the party. You will have a budget for the food, and LTA will provide the drinks. If you like to plan parties for 150-200 people, this could be interesting. If you would prefer a smaller crowd, LTA puts on a dinner for the cast and crew of each production the Sunday before opening night (referred to as "Double Tech"). As with Opening Night, you would have a budget to work with and would prepare the food, set up the Green Room, and clean up—with the help of your assistants, of course!
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Moderate
Audition Table
Sometimes hundreds of actors turn out to audition for a main stage production at LTA. Workers are needed to sign people in, provide information, and generally ensure everyone is where they need to be.
Experience Required: None / Time Commitment: Minimal
Behind the Scenes
If you would like to work in any of these areas, please contact:
Business Manager
Virginia Lacey: 703.683.5778 x2 / virginia@thelittletheatre.com
Work in the Office
Occasional office work is also available for mailings, data entry, and proof reading.
Experience Required: None to Moderate / Time Commitment: Varies
Join A Committee
As an all volunteer organization, LTA depends on various committees to get things done. These committees are usually appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Governors. Committees meet weekly, monthly or quarterly depending on their tasks. LTA currently has the following standing committees:
Nominating Committee
Selects candidates for our annual elections.
Director/Producer Selection Committee
Interviews prospective Directors and Producers.
Decorating Committee
In charge of making our Theatre look good.
Computer Committee
Keeps us up to date with computer equipment and training.
Advanced Planning Committee
Given tasks by the President to review and recommend.
Budget Committee
Reviews the annual budgets submitted by the individual Governors
and prepares an annual budget for approval by the Board of Governors.
One-Act Play Reading Committee
Read the new scripts received in our annual National
One-Act Playwriting Competition and select the winners.
Awards Steering Committee
Arranges for judges and all aspects of our annual awards program.
Membership Committee
Coordinates all activities regarding membership benefits, including Floodlight publication, membership parties, volunteer coordination, and membership renewals.
Experience Required: None to Moderate / Time Commitment: Minimal | | |
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