Get Involved with the Community Theatre League
The Community Theatre League eagerly welcomes new and renewed faces. No experience is necessary, so if you have any interest in the areas below, please check them and a volunteer committee member will contact you shortly. Each production is staffed independently, so if you have a strong desire to work on a specific upcoming production, please indicate it in the notes area at the bottom. You may also contact the box office if you would prefer to speak to somone on the phone.
CTL has a vibrant Board of Directors and several committees who determine the direction of the organization, schedule appreciation events, fundraise, and a slew of other monumental tasks. If you have an interest in fundraising, event planning, playreading and production planning, or marketing, there might just be a committee for you. Minimal to moderate time commitment depending on the committee.
Several of the essential behind-the-scenes volunteer positions offered at the CTL can be found within the costume department, including Costumers, Costume Seamstresses, and Wardrobe Staff members. These positions vary in their time commitments and skill levels with tasks ranging from no-sewing to complete costume design and creation and time commitments that can encompass either some or all of a production. Costume department volunteers may have a great working knowledge of fashion history, excellent organization skills, a great creative mind, or just a willingness to be part of the backstage magic.
Each CTL Maintstage and Sprouts production makes use of a Costumer, who will work with the director from the beginning of rehearsals to establish the time period of the show and gather the director’s vision for the costumes. This person will then measure and begin to compile and fit the actors with costumes. While some CTL productions require costumes “made from scratch,” many others merely require someone to “pull” costumes from our expansive costume shop, or hunt them down at yard sales or stores.
If you enjoy sewing and creating, however, being a Costume Seamstress might be the thing for you. Costume Seamstresses can double as the Costumer, depending on the show. However many large productions, such as musicals, may make use of part-time Costume Seamstresses to help with construction or finishing work. (Moderate to significant time requirements depending on time needed to collect or create costumes. Musicals often require a larger commitment than plays so inquire per production.)
Can’t sew? No problem! Just as essential to the costume department are the Wardrobe Staff, who typically come into a production during tech week and stay through the “run” of the show. If you like being in the heart of the action, working on the Wardrobe Staff is a great way to jump right in. Each performance requires a few people to help with quick costume changes, or to fix small costume problems that might pop up. If you can commit to the full run, that is great, if not, you can sign up to work a few performances–whichever works best for you. Moderate time commitment but should be able to attend some or all performances and tech week of a given production. Usually a 2-week commitment.
Each production requires a House Staff for each performance. CTL has in upwards of 75 performances a season and 4-6 house staff are needed each night. They hand out programs, take tickets, man the “will call” table, show people to their seats, sell concessions, and more. The great perk of being on our House Staff is that you are often able to view the show for free if there are open seats available for that performance. Minimal time commitment.
Volunteers looking to work behind-the-scenes, but don’t want to be left out of the on-stage action can opt to work as a Light Technician, a Lighting Designer, or a Sound Technician. These essential people work directly with the show, making sure sound is balanced and that the lighting effects and transitions work seamlessly. Light and sound people range in age from 10-90. No experience? No problem! CTL’s modern light board makes lighting the stage a breeze. If you can push a “go” button, you can be a Light Technician. People with a more advanced knowledge (or interest) in lighting can volunteer for Light Design. These volunteers work closely with the director to create many of the wonderful lighting effects that enhance each show. Moderate time commitment limited to the tech rehearsals and performances of a show.
Sound Technicians cue microphones, sound effects CD’s, music–whatever is needed for a particular show. A little knowledge of sound equipment is helpful, but anyone can learn! Moderate time commitment limited to the tech rehearsals and performances of a show.
If you frequent yard sales and flea markets, and enjoy a great scavenger hunt, then try Props Gathering. “Props” are the everyday items used by actors in shows to make the production realistic and each show requires something a little different. Volunteers willing to take on this position can make use of the CTL’s vast collection of antique and modern props, but may also be required to search for or recreate some period-specific items. This position is great for someone who may not be available during the actual run of a show, but would like to help out in their free time. Minimal to moderate time commitment based on the needs of the show.
Props Runners are the crew people who work the performances of the show to ensure that props are placed onstage or on prop tables for each show and then cleared when necessary. Shows often require a few runners each night, and people can sign on to work as many performances as they are able. Moderate time commitment limited to tech rehearsals and performances of the show.
Stage Crew volunteers are the muscle behind each show. These people help with the moving on and off of set pieces during the performances. Stage crew people may also double as Props Runners, depending on the number of crew people needed for a performance. Because each show is different, the number of people needed can vary widely. Stage Crew volunteers can work as many nights of a show as they are able, but it’s often best if they can commit to the complete run. Moderate time commitment limited to tech rehearsals and performances of the show.
The set of any production has the power to make or break a show. Some comedic productions rely heavily on the slamming of doors, while many musicals require platforms to hold the large cast. Each set’s requirements can be vastly different and because of that creation of the set is likely one of the largest undertakings in any production. However, set volunteers are not just construction people. Most productions also make use of artists and people with a passion for interior design because creating and finishing a set on time requires many man hours and a wide-variety of dedicated and talented people.
If you are handy with a hammer or a drill, you may find yourself at home volunteering in Set Construction. These volunteers work with our Set Director to build the physical set pieces for the production and make sure they are safe for the actors to use. Depending on the show and its schedule, set construction crews meet at varied times of the day and some weekends, so if you have daytime availability, this may be the place for you. Moderate to significant time commitment per show, but usually last no more than a couple weeks per project.
If you are more artistic, however, you may consider volunteering as a Set Painter. Set Painting volunteers at the CTL work with the newly constructed set, rolling a base color onto the set pieces and/or completing the finishing work. The CTL is always looking for volunteers who can create murals, stone finishes, etc. to make the sets look more realistic. Minimal to moderate time commitment based on the needs of the show. People can commit to a few hours to a few days work.
Likewise, Set Decorators are volunteers who help to bring together the “look” of a set. A volunteer in this area should enjoy interior design and may help in obtaining furniture and finishing decorations, such as paintings, carpets, and lamps. At CTL we take details seriously and thus, this position is vital to the completion of a show. Minimal to moderate time commitment and may require the acquisition of furniture items.
Our Programs
In addition to putting on performances for the public throughout the year, the Community Theatre League hosts a variety of programs to promote and encourage local youth to get involved in musical theatre and drama. From our annual summer camps to our high school workshops and Oscar-like awards show, we strive to share our talent and passion for the performing arts with the community.