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Become Part of the TCT Family

Becoming a volunteer with Topeka Civic Theatre is a gateway to preserving the magic of theatre arts. You can offer support to artists, performers, and set crew by becoming one yourself! Time commitments may vary based on your chosen role, but the impact remains the same…everlasting.

Volunteer Opportunities

ACTORS & CREW
ACTORS
Emerging and established acting talent is welcome to explore volunteer-ship at TCT. Develop an in-depth understanding of character development and staging and gather valuable performance experiences as you memorize lines and perform onstage. Audition information located under the audition tab. Be sure to sign up for our Audition e-blast so you can stay in-the-know about upcoming auditions.

What to Expect In Auditions
Those auditioning are asked to read from the script. When auditioning for musicals, you will be required to perform the prepared song and participate in a dance audition. Rehearsals are weekday evenings and weekend afternoons. Production runs can vary from five to 20 performances, with two to five per week.

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STAGE MANAGER
A volunteer performing as Stage Manager will conduct all auditions, rehearsals and performances for a show under the supervision of the Director. Once in production, the Stage Manager oversees the cast and running crew, executes lighting design and performs as liaison to the Design Staff. This volunteer role requires the largest time commitment and utilizes a variety of theatre-specific knowledge and skills. Because of this, volunteers with an interest in the Stage Manager role are asked to first co-stage manage with an experienced volunteer or to work as a running crew member for several shows. The time commitment ranges from two to three months, four to six days a week, three to four hours a day.
RUNNING CREW
Volunteers on the Running Crew execute all of the backstage “technical” changes during a production. These changes can include moving sets on and off stage and placing lights. Running Crew volunteers generally work each night of a production; however, two volunteers can split the run of a show. The Running Crew is supervised by the Stage Manager and works closely with the actors.
LIGHT TECHNICIANS/SPOTLIGHT OPERATORS
These volunteers operate spotlights from elevated platforms facing the stage. As spotlights are frequently used for solos and dance numbers for musicals, precision and good timing are necessary.
SOUND BOARD OPERATOR
The Sound Board Operator executes all instances of recorded effects that occur during a performance. All recorded effects are on CD, cassette, or reel-to-reel tapes. The operation of wireless microphones during performances is also controlled by the Sound Board Operator. Because of the technical knowledge required for this role, experience in this position is helpful, but training is available for less experienced volunteers.
DRESSER
The Dresser oversees all of the costumes during a performance run. They also help the actors during quick changes and perform emergency costume repairs. In some instances, the Dresser also helps with hair and make-up.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Set Construction
As a set construction volunteer, your role can encompass a wide variety of construction techniques and materials, including wood, metal, foam, plastic and fabric. Projects in the scene shop depend on the degree of experience of the volunteer.

Set construction regularly involves set painting and whether you are an artist or not, you can learn to paint at TCT. Many painting techniques in the theatre are easy to learn. You can learn to paint scenery to look like brick, stone, marble, plaster, stucco, foliage, wallpaper or a variety of wood grains and master such techniques as spattering, sponging, rag rolling and dry brushing.

Scene Painting
Strike Force

Volunteers on this team will help deconstruct each set on the Sunday following the final performance of each production. Strikes take between two and four hours and involve using power tools, clearing props/furniture and tidying the backstage wings.

PROPS COORDINATOR
Properties, or “props,” are all of the set dressings used in a production. The list of possible props can be as extensive as your imagination, but common props include books, housewares, and food. The properties coordinator collects or constructs props during a show’s rehearsal period and attends Tech Week rehearsals to ensure all the props are ready for the performance run.
COSTUME COORDINATOR
HOSPITALITY
BOX Office
Daytime box office volunteers assist with every aspect of ticket sales. Taking phone calls, mailing tickets, and providing patrons with exemplary customer service are just a few of the responsibilities these volunteers encounter. Volunteers are scheduled in four hour shifts on weekdays. Great listening and communication skills are a must and training is provided.
ADMIN OFFICE/DAYTIME RECEPTIONIST
These volunteers assist with administrative tasks during daytime business hours. Office volunteers are asked to commit to a specific day and shift on a continuous, week-to-week schedule. Answering phones, routing calls and messages, and helping with various projects are typical in this role, though tasks such as filing and helping with accounting are also available.
FRONT OF HOUSE HOST/MANAGER
Typically the first HHT representative many patrons will encounter, the House Manager, supervises the entryway and lobby. Volunteers in this role will collect and counts ticket stubs, offer general information to patrons, and are responsible for managing the Hosts. A smile, neat appearance and helpful attitude are a must for this people-oriented role. These volunteers can expect to work one to two hour shifts per performance.
HOSTS
Hosts help make theatergoers’ experiences more enjoyable by greeting and escorting patrons to their seats, distributing playbills, and answering general questions regarding the theatre and performances. As with the House Manager, a smile, neat appearance, and helpful attitude are a must.
BUFFET WING

These volunteers greet our guests while collecting dinner and brunch tickets. Time commitment is about 1 hour and the position can be performed while seated.

AMBASSADORS

This volunteer serves special groups who attend our productions. Ambassadors greet groups at the door, assist and answer questions and remain with them throughout the evening to ensure the patrons’ experience is enjoyable. These volunteers do not need to stay for the performance they are assisting with.

SPECIAL EVENTS
FUNDRAISERS
OPENING NIGHT CATERING FOR CAST & CREW
TCT’s catering volunteers prepare a food or snack dish for each show’s opening night party and deliver it to the theater. This role, which is arranged on a show-by-show basis, is actually a volunteer activity that directly supports other volunteers. Cast and crew members are most appreciative of all these volunteers do!
ACADEMY VOLUNTEERS
Youth volunteers can join the TCT team as young as 12! All of our youth shows are Stage Managed and crewed by kids. Kids can also help by assisting teachers during classes or lending a hand with mailings. Opportunities for parents of youth volunteers can range anywhere from assisting with set construction and painting to being a supportive “backstage parent” to the cast and crew.

Volunteer Benefits

DISCOUNTED TICKETS – The first Thursday night performance of every Mainstage production is Volunteer Night where all volunteers may purchase up to two tickets at half price.

HALF PRICE MEMBERSHIPS – For every 100 hours you volunteer in the previous season, you are able to purchase a full-season, non-dinner membership at half price.

INVITED DRESS & PERFORMANCE TICKETS – When you volunteer as a cast or crew member on a production you receive two Invited Dress tickets that can be used for friends and family to be the first to see a production with an audience.  As a cast or crew member you also receive one free ticket to your show and one to the next production in that show segment. Cast and crew will also get the benefit of advanced ticket reservation, as well as a reduced price dinner purchase directly from our caterer. If you are a member of one of our four performance companies you also receive free tickets to all your performances throughout the season.

VOLUNTEER SALUTE – Topeka Civic Theatre honors a special volunteer from each show. Selected by fellow volunteers, this particular volunteer is someone who has done outstanding work, going above and beyond the requirements of his or her position.  This volunteer will receive public recognition on-stage during the closing weekend of the show, two complimentary tickets to the next Mainstage show and written recognition and spotlight in our next Mainstage playbill.

DISCOUNTS ON CLASSES – Any volunteer that donated 100 or more hours in a season is eligible for 50% off one class enrollment in the next season for an immediate family member.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONTRIBUTIONS – TCT’s Board of Directors go out of their way to give back to volunteers on-stage and off. They surprise the cast and crew of every show with food during Tech week, opening night break-a-legs, and we have a group of Board and non-board members that donate food for the opening night party; a great way to enjoy the excitement and all the hard work our volunteers put in to every show.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION NIGHT – If you volunteer 10 or more hours at TCT or HHT, you are invited to attend our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night in August. This is a formal event where all volunteers are treated with a night of entertainment, prizes and awards. Special awards given out each year are Volunteer of the Year, Hall of Fame and Strike Force; plus the “Renna” acting awards for both theatres and special recognition for those volunteering 400, 700 or 1,000+ hour levels!

CONTINUING EDUCATION – We want all volunteers to experience the impact of theatre in our community through our Academy, productions, activities and events. Our organization is focused on entertainment, education and learning through the many volunteer roles we offer.

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A VOLUNTEER

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