Volunteer Positions
Keep in mind that there is no experience necessary for the majority of these tasks. If you have some experience, great. But our staff and seasoned volunteers are happy to teach you anything you need to know. Many of our most skilled volunteers came to us with no theater experience whatsoever.
Actor
SUMMARY: Actors audition, attend rehearsals and performances, memorize lines & blocking, and attend post-show strike.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies by role. Generally rehearsals run five nights a week for three hours, though you may not be required to attend all rehearsals early in the process. During tech week actors are called every night and shows typically run for three weekends with a brush-up rehearsal prior to the last two weekends.
Costume Assistant - Construction
SUMMARY: Assists Costume Designer in the sewing or finding of costume items for a production.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies by production. Contemporary shows where costumes can be “found” often take less time than plays for which costumes must be constructed from scratch.Costume Assistant -Dresser
SUMMARY: A member of the Running Crew dedicated to preparing the costumes before a performance, and assisting actors with costume changes during the performance.
TIME COMMITMENT: Attends all dress rehearsals and performance. This is every evening of Tech Week (the week preceding Opening Night) and the following two weekends. You have the opportunity to be part of the show’s company and help make the magic happen.
Lighting Assistant
SUMMARY: Lighting Assistants help the Technical Director and Lighting Designer with hanging and/or focusing lights. Some do this on the ladders, others stay “on deck” to hold ladders for those hanging and focusing the lights. They also help to pull the colored gels and other materials needed by the ladder people. Lighting assistants do not have to climb ladders, but if they can- great!
TIME COMMITMENT: Light hang is usually one Friday and/or Saturday call. Light focus is usually the following Friday and/or Saturday call. If available, Lighting Assistants can also come in weekdays to help the Technical Director with day to day lighting adjustments and equipment upkeep.
Light Board Operator
SUMMARY: A Light Board Operator runs the light board during tech week and all performances of a production. They perform the light check prior to performance, and perform cues as called by the Stage Manager during the performance.
TIME COMMITMENT: Attends all dress rehearsals and performances (Tech Week and the following two weekends). As part of the show’s company you experience the thrill of “performing” (your cues) for a live audience.
Prompter
SUMMARY: Prompters sit quietly & attentively during rehearsals and be “on book” for the actors. As actors call for “line” the prompter provides the actor with the first few words of his/her next line. Must be able to project voice clearly.
TIME COMMITMENT: A few hours. Usually you will be assigned a particular night of the week for 3-4 weeks, 3 hours each night.
Props Assistant
SUMMARY: As a Properties Assistant your would assist the Properties Designer in hunting for and/or building needed props, help with set decoration, attend rehearsals, prep prop tables for rehearsals and performances. This position easily flows into a Running Crew position.
TIME COMMITMENT: Several hours a week to begin, increasing as show opening gets closer. The Properties Assistant often (but not always) transitions to Running Crew which involves attending all dress rehearsals and performances, and being part of the show’s company, essentially performing for a live audience.
Publicity - Posters
SUMMARY: Volunteers hang posters along various “routes” within a given area. For example, one route is the east side of Broadway in Saratoga Springs; another is West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Poster hangers can sign up to hang posters along an established route or take posters to hang in an area of their choosing. They are asked to let the HMT office know where they are hanging posters so other volunteers do not hang in the same area.
TIME COMMITMENT: A couple of hours per production.
Publicity - Mailings
SUMMARY: During a mailing, volunteers will place address labels on production cards and brochures.
TIME COMMITMENT: A few hours per production.
Scenic Assistant
SUMMARY: Help construct set, paint set, etc.
TIME COMMITMENT: Open calls- if volunteers are available during weekdays, they can call the Technical Director at the production office directly at 587-8353. Weekend set calls are typically held Saturday mornings from 10am-2pm. Volunteers should contact the HMT office at 587-4427 to sign up for weekend calls.
Sound Board Operator
SUMMARY: A Sound Board Operator runs the sound board during tech week and all performances of a production. They perform the sound check, work the mini-disc player or CD player during performances, and perform cues as called by the Stage Manager during the performance. Comfort with sound equipment is a bonus.
TIME COMMITMENT: Attend rehearsals during tech week and all performances – a fun filled month of mostly nights and weekends.
Assistant Stage Manager
SUMMARY: ASM’s help the Stage Manager call actors who are late, take blocking notes when the Stage Manager isn’t available, make coffee, clean up the green room, answer the payphone, etc. ASM’s are basically a second pair of eyes and ears and hands for the stage manager. Often this position will transition into a Running Crew position, as the ASM is often in charge of “the deck” (physical stage space) during a performance.
TIME COMMITMENT: ASM’s attend rehearsal 2-5 times a week. Rehearsals generally run 3 hours. See below for ASM’s that transition to Running Crew.
Running Crew
SUMMARY: Running Crew members work backstage during the performances, helping with special effects, scene changes, costume changes, and props.
TIME COMMITMENT: Attends all dress rehearsals and performances (Tech Week and the following two weekends). You become part of the show and make the magic happen. One of our greatest needs, and one of the most fun volunteer positions.
General Office Assistant
SUMMARY: Office volunteers help with data entry, smaller mailings, answering phones, making phone calls, filing, copying, and other daily office tasks.
TIME COMMITMENT: A few hours to many (20 hours) a week. Or just when you can!
Ad Sales Assistant
SUMMARY: Contact prospective new & renewing advertisers and sell them ad space in our seasonal program.
TIME COMMITMENT: During June & July – a few hours a week.
Box Office Assistant
SUMMARY: Box office volunteers sell tickets, answer phones, keep track of seating charts, handle the box office till, and work with our patrons to answer questions and solve any problems that may come up.
TIME COMMITMENT: One box office shift is usually between three and six hours. The box office is generally open Monday thru Friday from 11am to 5pm, and performance shifts starting about 2 hours prior to curtain.
Fund Raiser
SUMMARY: Volunteers in fund raising work with a committee to help plan and coordinate fund raising events.
TIME COMMITMENT: Flexible.
Usher
SUMMARY: Ushers deal closely with our patrons and show them to their seats for reserved seating performances. Ushers are also responsible to make sure guidelines regarding safety, photography and video are followed by audience members.
TIME COMMITMENT: About 10-12 hours per production. Ushers work three performances per show. Ushers must attend an orientation meeting at the beginning of the season.
House Manager
SUMMARY: The “Head Usher” at any given performance, who gives the ushers their before-show instructions, and consults with the Stage Manager on when to start the performance, or resume after intermission. Unless there is previous experience, House Managers are usually “promoted” from the ranks of the more experienced ushers.
TIME COMMITMENT: House Managers are asked to commit to 2-3 performances per production for about 3-4 hours each.
Door People
SUMMARY: Door People (or Greeters) will greet audience members and take tickets at the door, but they do not seat the audience. However, they must have a clear understanding of the seating charts so that they can direct patrons to the correct house entrances
TIME COMMITMENT: Similar to a House Manager, Greeters work 2-3 performances per production.
Concession Assistant
SUMMARY: Concession volunteers set up the concession stand, make coffee, sell souvenirs and snacks during pre-show and intermission, and clean and put away supplies after intermission. Those willing to bake fresh home-made goodies for selling are also welcome.
TIME COMMITMENT: Concession volunteers sign up for a couple of performances per production. An average concession shift is under three hours. When not “on duty” concessions volunteers are welcome to watch the performance.
Internships & Community Service Hours
SUMMARY: We offer Internships in all areas of theater for high school and college students. These are usually coordinated with the intern’s teacher, guidance counselor, or advisor. Interns can work days in the office or helping the Technical Director with the set or lights. Interns can also work on nights or weekends directly on the production as crew members. HMT has also worked with community based groups who have clients in need of working community service hours, and also students who have community services hour requirements for class credit.
TIME COMMITMENT: Dependent on program.