Volunteers

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Volunteer Application

SEE JOB DESCRIPTIONS BELOW

Smithfield Little Theatre is an all-volunteer organization.  Volunteers, many with no prior theatre experience, handle all responsibilities from acting to ushering.  There are needs which can take up as little or as much time as you wish to contribute.  Fill your leisure time with fun.  Make new friends.  Treat yourself to a new experience!  Join the SLT family!
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JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Actors

Auditions for roles in each SLT production are open to anyone who is interested in performing.  No prior theatre experience is necessary.  Actors must attend all rehearsals and performances.

Assistant Stage Manager

One or two Assistant Stage Managers are used backstage for each production.  They assist performers in making their entrances at the appropriate times, and help assure that actors have the necessary personal props.  They tell the Stage Manager whether the actors are in position.  Assistant Stage Managers act as the Stage Manager's eyes and ears backstage for all technical preparations, and also help coordinate the set changes called for throughout the performance.

Band Muscians

SLT is always looking for musicians to play for our shows, where there is never a dull moment!  Whether you're a Senior in High School or a Senior Citizen, we'd love to have you!  Any level of talent, skill, and experience is welcome, and we gladly adapt the music to fit your capabilities.  We play the same scores that are used on Broadway, often flip books around to give folks more to play and allow for more participation, and sometimes even write parts in to suit our needs.  The band is usually backstage, but whenever possible, we are right on stage in the spotlight.  Rehearsals are always an adventure, to say the least, and are set according to the schedules of the band members.  We usually rehearse separate from the cast until a few weeks before the show opens.  So if you play your instrument daily, or haven't played for years, don't hesitate to come play with us.  Even if you hit a wrong note now and then, we promise you'll have a fun time doing it!!

Box Office Volunteers

One person is needed prior to each performance to be in the box office to sell tickets for that afternoon's/evening's show, and to distribute tickets to patrons who have purchased them in advance on a "will-call" basis.  Good organizational and people skills are important, as well as minimal computer skills.

Costume Assistants

Some costumes may be purchased or rented, but others must be created to specifications for a show.  Costume Assistants work with the show's Costume Lead to create new costumes, or to alter existing ones.  Such volunteers may be called upon for sewing, or for decorating hats or shoes, etc.

Lighting Technician

Following completion of the light plan by the lighting designer, volunteers are needed to hang lighting instruments, place color gels on lights, and focus the beams.  During performances lighting technicians operate follow spots and the lighting control board.  Lighting Technicians need to be present at all technical rehearsals and performances, to execute the lighting cues. Previous experience is not necessary, but all volunteers must be trained on the theatre's lighting equipment.

Properties Crew

The Props Crew works behind the scenes to assure that all props are in the correct locations before and during performances, and are put away after each final curtain.  They must be on hand for the final week of rehearsals and for performances.  No previous backstage experience is necessary.  This is an ideal position for getting to know the "how-tos" of backstage work.

Property Master or Mistress

The Props Master works with the Director to decide what props are needed for the show, and then coordinates the gathering of those items.  This may involve pulling props from our storage and/or locating props from other sources to be borrowed or purchased.  The Props Master is also responsible for making certain that props are returned to the proper place after the production closes.  The Props Master may or may not be a part of the stage crew to pre-set props for actors, and then to put them away after each performance.

Set Construction and Painting

Volunteers are needed to help build and paint sets which have been designed for a show.  While individuals with carpentry skills are certainly valued, no such experience is required.  A willing attitude is the most important asset.  Tools and building supplies are provided.

Sound Technician

Following the completion of the sound plan by the sound designer, the sound technician prepares microphones for each performance and works in the booth during the show to maintain micro-phone volume levels and to insert sound effects on the appropriate cue.  The Sound Technician is expected to be at all tech and dress rehearsals and at all performances.  Previous experience is not necessary, but all volunteers must be trained on the sound equipment in the theatre's tech booth.

Stage Manager

An assistant to the Director, the Stage Manager supervises the cast and crew during performances.  He or she stays just off stage, but is in touch with the sound and light crew in the tech booth and assistant stage managers on the other side of the stage via wireless intercom.  The Stage Manager is expected to attend rehearsals per Director’s instructions and must be present for each performance. 

Ushers &/or Concessions

A crew of ushers is coordinated by the House Manager for each performance.  Ushers come to the theatre an hour and fifteen minutes before curtain time, and then serve as the theatre's ambassadors of goodwill, welcoming our patrons and assisting them in finding their seats.   Some members of this crew may also handle the sales of concessions during intermission.  No experience is necessary, but good people skills are very important.