Volunteer Positions
The Racine Theatre Guild is
largely staffed by volunteers. Literally hundreds of people of all ages
and skill levels help to keep the RTG going strong. There is always a
need for new people. If you would like to become involved, it's easy:
let us know your area(s) of interest and your availability--we'll take
it from there. Brief descriptions of volunteer positions appear below.
Please contact the RTG Box Office for detailed position descriptions.
ACTOR
Open auditions are held before every RTG production so that interested
community members may try out for plays. Previous acting experience is
not required. Actors must attend all rehearsals and performances. The
RTG does not use understudies.
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER (PSM)
This position
serves as an assistant to the director, and is in charge of selecting
all crew chairs for a production. The PSM holds production meetings and
fills in for any missing crew person during the run of a show. This person
must have previous experience volunteering with the RTG, preferably as
stage manager and in other technical positions.
STAGE MANAGER (SM)
Supervises
the cast and crew during technical rehearsals and during performances.
The SM calls the sound and light cues from the booth and keeps in touch
with assistant stage managers backstage via headsets. The stage manager
is expected to attend all rehearsals and must be present for every show.
The stage manager has many other responsibilities, including telling
actors when to come for rehearsals and performances, giving line cues
for early rehearsals off book and being present at brush-up rehearsals.
A stage manager should have previous experience as an ASM
ASSISTANT STAGE
MANAGER (ASM)
One or two ASM's are used for each show to work backstage,
telling the stage manager whether actors and crew are in position. The
ASM's act as the stage manager's eyes and ears backstage for all technical
preparations. For example, an ASM will tell the stage manager in the
booth when the props crew has cleared the stage or whether an actor is
in position to make an entrance
LIGHTING DESIGNER
The lighting designer
works with the director to create the proper lighting effects for the
show. Design work is usually done before the beginning of dress rehearsal
week. This person hangs and focuses the lights in the grid. Training
from an experienced designer is helpful to learn how to set lights and
program the computerized system.
LIGHTING TECHNICIAN
After the lights
are designed, the lighting tech works in the booth during dress rehearsals
and at each performance to execute the lighting cues at the stage manager's
signal. Previous experience is not necessary, but the person must be
trained on our computerized lighting system.
SOUND DESIGNER
The sound
designer works with the director to create any sound effects and music
that will be used during the show. This usually includes recording music
and sound effects from sound libraries. Training can be provided to teach
people how to use the booth sound equipment.
SOUND TECHNICIAN
After the
sound designer has completed the sound plot, the sound technician works
in the booth to insert sound cues at the stage manager's signal. The
sound tech is expected to be at all dress rehearsals and performances.
Previous experience is not necessary, but the person must be trained
on the sound equipment in our booth.
PROPERTIES CHAIR
The props chair
works with the director in deciding which props will be used. This may
involve pulling props from our storage and/or locating props elsewhere.
The props chair is also in charge of gathering a props crew to work during
performances to maintain and organize props, pre-set them for actors,
change them between scenes, and put them away after performances. The
props chair should have previous experience, preferably working on a
props crew.
PROPERTIES CREW
The props chair decides how many people are
needed for the props crew, and he/she trains them in proper procedures
for organizing, pre-setting and putting away props. Props crew persons
need not have previous backstage experience. They are expected to come
for rehearsals during dress rehearsal week and for performances. Props
crew people can share responsibilities, so that all people do not need
to be present at all performances. This is an ideal position to get to
know the theatre and how its backstage operations work.
COSTUME DESIGN
The costume designer works with the director to select costumes for the
show, which may involve pulling costumes from our storage, buying clothes
from stores and secondhand shops, altering clothes and sewing costumes
from scratch. Sewing skills are vital, and it helps to be able to organize
seamstresses to sew to your requirements. Costume designers also work
with the director to accessorize actors with shoes, hats, jewelry, etc.
WARDROBE CHAIR
The chair works with the costume designer and the director
to organize all costumes throughout the run of the show. This may involve
pre-setting costumes in backstage areas and assisting actors with quick
changes. The wardrobe chair also makes sure all costumes are in good
repair, clean and pressed. Simple sewing skills are needed to sew buttons
and repair rips. The wardrobe chair is responsible for getting a crew
of people to assist as necessary.
WARDROBE CREW
The wardrobe crew works
with the wardrobe chair to organize and prepare wardrobe during the show.
The crew assists the chair in any way needed, including helping actors
change quickly, organizing costumes between shows, and helping to launder
or repair any costumes. No previous backstage experience is necessary.
MAKEUP CHAIR
The makeup chair works with the director to design makeup
for each of the actors in a show. He/she is responsible for getting a
makeup crew to work each performance. This person also designs hairstyles
and wigs.
MAKEUP CREW
The makeup crew people are on hand before and during
each performance to help the actors apply makeup, ensure that special
supplies are on hand, clean sponges, and tidy the makeup areas of the
dressing rooms. The makeup crew also helps with styling hair and wigs.
SET CONSTRUCTION
Any number of volunteers are needed to help build sets
under the direction of the technical director. People can be used during
the day and evenings to work in the RTG shop area. No special skills
are necessary. Tools and equipment are provided. For further information,
contact the show PSM or the technical director.
HOUSE MANAGER
The house
manager oversees the lobby and all patron areas during performances,
and is available for audience emergencies. This position is responsible
for checking out headsets for the hearing system and staffing beverage
sales at the concession stand. The house manager enforces the no-smoking
rule in lobby, restrooms and auditorium. He/she is in charge of balancing
the money received at concessions and the bar.
USHERS
A crew of 8 to
12 ushers is coordinated by a head usher for each of the 15 play performances.
Ushers come to the theatre 45 minutes before the show opens and show
people to their seats. Ushers sell beverages during intermissions. No
previous experience is necessary. Interested persons can give their names
to the membership chair, who notifies the head ushers.
BOX OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Volunteers staff the box office before each performance and stay through
intermissions. They sell tickets, provide exchanges, answer the telephone
and, in general, serve as customer service representatives.
SEASON CHAIR
POSITIONS
A volunteer who has worked several seasons in a particular
area or has comparable experience is eligible to serve as season chair.
These positions generally involve overseeing other volunteers to make
sure things run smoothly from one production to the next all season long.
Here are the areas with chair positions:
AUDITIONS - Attend all auditions
to hand out and gather information cards. BOX OFFICE - Staff the box
office with volunteers and train them.
CALLBOARD - Write and edit the
newsletter mailed to all season ticket holders.
HEAD USHER - Staff, train
and supervise usher crews.
HISTORIAN - Collect and file/store records,
minutes, programs, photos and archival material. HOUSE MANAGER - Train
and schedule house managers for all shows.
LIGHTING - Inventory and maintain
lighting equipment; train technicians.
LOBBY SALES - Staff the table
set up in the lobby during season ticket renewal campaigns. MAKEUP -
Inventory, order and stock makeup supplies.
MEMBERSHIP - Recruit new
members (includes helping to plan activities); keep records of current
membership.
PLAY READING - Help choose committee members and plays to
be considered, then set up meetings, compile evaluations of plays that
have been read, and guide the committee in selecting the slate for the
next season.
POSTER DISTRIBUTION - Coordinate distribution of posters
throughout the area. PRODUCTION MEALS - Prepare, serve and clean up after
meals for cast and crew between shows on fourth Saturdays. PROPS - Organize
and inventory props; oversee strike of each show. SOUND - Maintain all
sound equipment; train technicians.
SPEAKER BUREAU - Coordinate speaking
opportunities and speakers to promote
RTG. WARDROBE RENTAL - Coordinate
wardrobe rental requests.
WARDROBE - Maintain wardrobe storage; oversee
strike of each show.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Establish RTG policy, handle
personnel and financial matters in the operation of the Racine Theatre
Guild.1
