Volunteers

VPA has many volunteers that work many, many hours to put on shows. They are the unseen forces that keep VPA going and receive so little recognition for their efforts. They don't get their names headlined in the newspapers, yet they continue to ensure that the performances continue at VPA. There are scores of talented and hard working volunteers in your community theatre.

Following are available volunteer jobs and their descriptions. If you are interested in volunteering, please call our main office at (907) 373-0195.

VPA Job Description: Actor
Reports to: Play Director and Stage Manager During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Learns lines and blocking as determined by Play Director
• Memorizes lines –off book—on schedule determined by Play Director
• Participates in all rehearsals in schedule determined by Play Director
• If singing and/or dancing, works cooperatively with Music Director and/or Choreographer to learn performance expectations

• Consistently performs lines, blocking, and notes as determined by Play Director
• Works cooperatively with other cast and the crew members
• Follows list of properties provided by Properties person
• Provides information and cooperates with Costumer
• Provides information requested by Public Relations
• Participates in all rehearsals in schedule determined by Play Director
• Arrives and departs rehearsals based on scheduled determined by Play Director
• Sets own properties and keeps track of own costumes and properties
• Receives and applies constructive criticism notes from Play Director

• Participates in all performances
• Works cooperatively with Stage Manager and may assist the stage crew
• Arrives at time determined by Stage Manager
• Sets own properties and keeps track of own costumes and properties

• Works with Scenic Director & Stage Manager for directions on strike
• Participates in strike

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VPA Job Description: Apprentice Play Director
Reports to: Play Director Throughout Preparation of Show Prior to Auditions through Show Strike:

• Participates in the operations of the entire production, from planning to auditions to rehearsals to strike
• Observes Play Director’s attention to staying within approved production budget
• Participates in the artistic content of the production
• Participates in the technical content of the production
• Observes and participates in interactions with Public Relations and Marketing Director and play personnel to insure production advertising
• Assists Play Director to meet all publications deadlines and expectations
• Assists Play Director with other duties as assigned

• Observes the functioning of all personnel within the production, both cast and crew
• Observes and assists with the organization of auditions and rehearsals
• Observes and assists the Play Director, Facilities Manager and play personnel for all theater technical functions
• Assists Play Director in preparing for all aspects of directing
• Creates a calendar of rehearsal dates and times prior to start of rehearsing & tracks actor and crew attendance

During Auditions

• Attends auditions assisting Stage Manager with photos and forms  

During Off-Stage and On-Stage Rehearsals

• Observes procedures for effective, timely and efficient rehearsals
• Keeps notes on the blocking of the entire play
• Assists Play Director in insuring the integrity of production set when rehearsing on the set of a currently running production Insures theatre space and lobby space is clutter-free after each rehearsal
• Assists in meeting all publications deadlines and expectations of poster and show program

During Run of Show

• Observes procedures for cooperating with House Manager during the production run
• Attends most performances, assists Play Director in insuring the smooth functioning of personnel and production

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions for strike
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Choreographer
Reports to: Play Director

During Auditions

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of dance cues and needs
• Designs and collaborates with Play Director with dance and movement aspects of auditions

During Off-Stage Rehearsals and On-Stage Rehearsals

• Plans extensively with Play director and Musical Director for orchestrationCollaborates with Play Director, Properties, Costumer for costumes, shoes, and props that permit and support movement
• Communicates with Play Director and Scenic Director on stage needs for dance surface
• Responsible for the organization of dance and movement rehearsal in schedule determined by Play Director
• Teaches warm-up and cool-down techniques, as needed

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions for strike
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Costumer
Reports to: Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Creates list of costumes needed from those listed in the back of script plus those needed that are referred to in the lines and directions within the script
• Discusses list with Play Director and makes any changes
• Discusses budget with Play Director and stays under/within show budget for costumes
• Works with Play Director of approval of reimbursable costume expenses by actors
• Creates list of costumes per performer
• Gathers sizes from performers
• Gathers or delegate gathering, creating of costume items
• All items need to be gathered and finalized two weeks out from opening
• Stores items collected out of the way of the show in current production
• Keeps list of items that need to be returned to VPA props room, returned to lenders
• Gives any names of thank you of lenders to Public Relations prior to program due date

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Works with Stage Manager on labeling areas for hanging costumes in dressing rooms and green room
• Posts list of costumes per actor in green room
• Gives copies of these lists to Stage Manager
• Turns receipts into Play Director

During Run of Show

• Checks with Stage Manager for any repairs needed
• Arranges for lenders to pick up items on day of strike

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director & Stage Manager for directions on strike
• Washes and dries costumes before returning items to the correct place in the VPA properties room
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Light Board Operator
Reports to: Light Designer, Stage Manager, and Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of lighting cues and needs

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Responsible for operating light board equipment
• Works with Light Designer to learn cues and operating procedures for all aspects of production lighting
• Cooperates with the Stage Manager to insure correct cuing of lights
• Operates the light board during Cue-to-Cue and final week of rehearsals

During Run of Show

• Responsible for operating light board equipment at all performances
• Arrives at the time designated by the Stage Manager
• Works silently in the light booth
• Cooperates with Stage Manager to insure correct cuing
• Notifies Light Designer immediately about any non-functioning lights or cues on the light board
• Communicates with Stage Manager to solve problems that may arise.
• Perform check on light equipment prior to each performance

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Light Designer
Reports to: Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of lighting cues and needs
• Works with Play Director to arrange for production lighting
• Create a preliminary lighting plot
• Responsible for the safe and effective preparation of the lighting equipment

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Responsible for all aspects of production lighting
• Sets lights for all aspects of the production and revise light plot as needed
• Sets cues with Play Director
• Installs pre-sets on light board
• Cooperates with the Stage Manager to insure correct cuing of lights
• Cooperates with the Facilities Manager to insure lighting elements are functional and performance ready
• Attends and fine tunes lighting during Cue-to-Cue rehearsals
• Directs the operations of the Light Board Operators
• Insures the Light Board Operator is competent and prepared

During Run of Show

• Checks with Play Director on production lighting and Light Board Operator

During Strike

• Works with Set Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists in strike

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VPA Job Description: Music Director
Reports to: Play Director

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of music cues and needs
• Designs and collaborates with Play Director with musical aspects of auditions

During Off-Stage Rehearsals and On-Stage Rehearsals

• Conducts the operations of the musical portion of the production
• Stays within VPA Board approved production budget for musicians
• Responsible for the instrumental content of the production
• Responsible for the vocal content of the production
• Plans extensively with Play Director and Choreographer
• Provides information requested by Public Relations
• Hires and fires musicians to work for the production
• Directs the functioning and performance of all musicians
• Responsible for the organization of instrumental rehearsals
• Responsible for being well prepared for all aspects of directing vocal and instrumental music
• Cooperates with production choreographer
• Creates a calendar of rehearsal dates and times prior to start of rehearsing musicians
• Assigns and distributes sheet music and parts, both vocal and instrumental

• Participates in all performances
• Wears performance attire
• Arrives at time determined by Stage Manager
• Collaborates with Stage Manager on cues
• Directs all musicians during all performances, insures the smooth functioning of personnel and production musicians

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions for strike
• Assists with strike
• Distributes Musician checks
• Collects and assembles rented sheet music for return

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VPA Job Description: Musician
Reports To: Music Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals and On-Stage Rehearsal

• Becomes familiar with storyline of production
• Participates in all rehearsals in schedule determined by Music Director
• Provides information requested by Public Relations
• Participates in all rehearsals in schedule determined by Music Director
• Arrives and departs rehearsals based on scheduled determined by Music Director
• Receives and applies constructive criticism notes from Music Director
• Learns music in a timely manner

During Run of Show

• Participates in all performances
• Wears performance attire
• Arrives at time determined by Stage Manager
• Keeps track of own music and instruments

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions on strike
• Participates in strike

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VPA Job Description: Play Director
Reports To: Artistic Director

During Preparation of Show Prior to Auditions

• Conducts the operations of the entire production, from planning to auditions to rehearsals to strike Hires and fires personnel to work for the production
• Directs the functioning of all personnel within the production, both cast and crew
• Responsible for the organization of auditions and rehearsals
• Stays within Board approved budget
• Coordinates with the General Manager to insure theater availability and usage
• Coordinates with the Marketing Director and play personnel to insure production advertising
• Coordinates with the Facilities Manager and play personnel for all theater technical functions
• Responsible for being well prepared for all aspects of directing
• Creates a calendar of rehearsal dates and times prior to start of rehearsing
• Blocks all stage movement prior to the start of rehearsals
• Plans extensively with play personnel for all aspects of production needs
• Responsible for the artistic content of the production
• Responsible for the technical content of the production
• Meets all publications deadlines and expectations of season ticket brochure and audition poster

During Auditions

• Runs effective auditions
• Posts audition results on the VPA website in a timely manner  

During Off-Stage and On-Stage Rehearsals

• Runs effective rehearsals
• Contacts Artistic Director with any concerns Insures integrity of all rehearsal spaces used Insures integrity of current show’s set when rehearsing on their set
• Meets all publications deadlines and expectations of poster and show program
• Coordinates with crew for all production needs and deadlines  

During Run of Show

• Cooperates with the House Manager during the production run
• Attends most performances, insures the smooth functioning of personnel and production

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists with strike
• Distributes crew checks

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VPA Job Description: Properties
Reports to: Play Director

• Reads the script
• Creates list of acting and set properties in cooperation with Play Director
• Discusses budget with Play Director and stays within budget
• Gathers acting properties first, set properties second
• All properties need to be gathered by three weeks from opening
• Gathers consumable properties in numbers needed for rehearsal and run of show
• Stores items collected out of the way of the show in production
• Keeps list of items that need to be returned to VPA props room, returned to lenders
• Gives names of lender to be thanked to Public Relations prior to program due date

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Works with Scenic Director for proper placement of properties on stage
• Established organized placement of off stage properties in coordination with Set Director and Stage Manager
• Posts list of properties per Actor in green room
• Gives copies of these lists to Stage Manager
• Turns receipts into Bookkeeper

Run of Show

• If any of the items are consumed during the run of the show, arrange for replenishing of items for run of show
• Arranges for lenders to pick up items on day of strike

Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions on strike: in order to clear set.  Properties are usually moved to the lobby
• Returns items to the correct place in the VPA properties room
• Clears all properties out of lobby; items cannot remain in lobby after strike
• Clears all properties out of greenroom and dressing rooms
• Clears any consumable items out of refrigerator

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VPA Job Description: Public Relations
Reports to: Play Director

Throughout preparation of show prior to auditions through show strike:

• Drives attendance to show through efforts coordinated with Play Director, Artistic Director, Publications Editor, and Marketing Director
• Works as liaison between Play Director and VPA office
• Meets all publications deadlines and expectations of VPA publications and works as liaison between Play Director, Publications Editor, and Marketing Director

During preparation of show prior to auditions

• Drives attendance to auditions, efforts coordinated with Play Director, Artistic Director, Publications Editor, and Marketing Director
• Reads the script
• Arranges for audition poster creation and distribution in collaboration with Marketing Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Creates and distributes contact information sheet
• Arranges for poster creation and distribution
• Arranges for head shots and biographies
• Gathers commitments for individual ticket sales and gives the information to the Office Assistant to complete the sale

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Arranges for director's notes and other program content
• Arranges for publicity pictures
• Arranges for lobby bulletin board photos
• Arranges for any available broadcast medium
• Arranges for show dates and times to be sent to newspapers
• Gathers commitments for individual ticket sales and gives the information to the Office Assistant to complete the sale

During Run of Show

• Continues attendance efforts
• Gathers commitments for individual ticket sales and gives the information to the Office Assistant to complete the sale.

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Scenic Director
Reports to: Play Director

• Reads the script
• Creates list of set needs and designs in cooperation with Play Director
• Discusses budget with Play Director and stays within budget
• Discusses any set challenges with Facilities manager
• Establishes timeline for completed set with Play Director
• Recruits Set Painter and Set Carpenter
• Creates plans and elevations of set
• Gathers set pieces
• Stores items collected out of the way of the show in production
• Gives names of lender to be thanked to Public Relations prior to program due date
• Attends strike of previous production to keep existing set parts

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Responsible for all aspects of set
• Reinforce safe use of tools and materials in creating a sturdy set
• Works with Play Director, Set Carpenter, Set Painter, crew and cast to create set
• Works around the rehearsal schedule
• Completes the set in the timeframe established in collaboration with Play Director
• Facilitates the use and return storage of any VPA tools and materials
• Facilitates the protection of VPA spaces from construction: curtain, lobby floor, lobby bathrooms
• Works with Works with Properties for proper placement of properties on and off stage
• Turns receipts into Bookkeeper

During Run of Show

• Periodically checks set

During Strike

• With Stage Manager creates and posts roles for strike for all cast and crewmembers.
• Oversees the correct return and placement of items
• Assists in strike
• Does not leave until set is cleared

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VPA Job Description: Set Carpenter
Reports to: Scenic Director

• Reads the script
• Works with Scenic Director to create building plan
• Creates items off site, if applicable
• Attends strike of previous production to keep existing set parts, if appropriate

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Works safely in building the set Works with Scenic Director, Play Director, Set Painter, crew and cast to create set Works around the rehearsal schedule
• Completes the set in the timeframe
• Properly uses and stows of any VPA tools and materials
• Carefully works around VPA spaces: curtain and lobby floor, etc.
• Turns receipts into Scenic Director

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions on strike
• Participates in strike

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VPA Job Description: Set Painter
Reports to: Scenic Director

• Reads the script
• Works with Scenic Director to create painting design
• Creates items off site, if applicable
• Attends strike of previous production to keep existing set parts, if appropriate

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Works safely in painting the set including the use of tools and ladders
• Works with Scenic Director, Play Director, Set Carpenter, crew and cast to create set
• Works around the rehearsal schedule
• Completes the set in the timeframe
• Properly uses and stows of any VPA tools and materials Carefully works around VPA spaces: curtain, lobby floor, etc.
• Does not use lobby bathroom for washing brushes
• Turns receipts into Scenic Director

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions on strike
• Participates in strike

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VPA Job Description: Sound Board Operator
Reports to: Sound Designer, Stage Manager, and Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of sound cues and needs

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Responsible for operating sound board equipment
• Works with Sound Designer to learn cues and operating procedures for all aspects of sound for the production
• Cooperates with the Stage Manager to insure correct cuing of lights
• Responsible for operating sound board equipment during Cue-to-Cue and final week of rehearsals

During Run of Show

• Responsible for operating sound board equipment at all performances
• Arrives at the time designated by the Stage Manager
• Works silently in the light booth during the performance
• Cooperates with Stage Manager to insure correct cuing
• Notifies Sound Designer immediately about any non-functioning speakers or cues on the sound board
• Perform daily check on sound equipment prior to show

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Sound Designer
Reports To: Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of sound cues and needs
• Works with Play Director to arrange for production sound and sound effects
• Gathers and composites sound effects to CD-ROM, or other performance ready medium

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Responsible for all aspects of production sound effects
• Sets sound effects for all aspects of the production
• Sets cues with the Play Director Installs pre-sets on sound board
• Cooperates with the Stage Manager to insure correct cueing of sound effects
• Cooperates with the Facilities Manager to insure speakers/sound elements are functional and performance ready
• Attends and fine tunes sound effects during Cue-to-Cue rehearsals
• Directs the operations of the sound board operators Insures the Sound Board operator is competent and prepared

During Run of Show

• Checks with Play Director on production lighting and Light Board Operator

During Strike

• Depending upon the technical level of the sound elements, works with Scenic Director and Stage Manager for directions
• Assists with strike

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VPA Job Description: Stage Manager
Reports To: Play Director

During Off-Stage Rehearsals

• Reads the script
• Keeps notes of blocking and lines
• May or may not attend all rehearsals
• Arrange for line prompting during rehearsals

During On-Stage Rehearsals

• Learns the operations of the production during on stage rehearsals
• Learns light and sound cues Assists Play Director in assigning tasks for set changes during production
• Directs Actors on and off stage during dress rehearsals
• Directs other crew members on and off stage during dress rehearsals
• Keeps copies of Actors’ props and costume lists from Properties and Costumer

During Run of Show

• Conducts the operations of the production during the performance run
• Directs Light and Sound board operators and cues
• Coordinates with Music Director for cues
• Directs set changes during production Directs performers on and off stage
• Directs other crew members on and off stage
• Last to leave the theater on show dates, and insures the security of VPA facilities afterward
• Cooperates with the House Manager to start shows on time
• Confirms attendance of all Actors and crew on show dates and at rehearsals.
• Cooperate with Set Director to coordinate off stage with storage/placement of properties and set pieces

During Strike

• Works with Scenic Director for directions on strike
• Clears out, cleans up Stage Manager area
• Insures greenrooms and dressing rooms are cleared and cleaned

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VPA Job Description: Usher
Reports To: House Manager

Before Each Performance

• As a representative of VPA to the community, attire and appearance is appropriateand professional for the role
• Arrive at time determined by House Manager
• Stow coats in the closet at the lobby counter and wear the silver Usher vest
• Follow directors for taking tickets and handing out programs
• Follow procedures for showing patrons to their seats
• Read situation for asking for assistance in the theater
• Assist with sales of food and beverages after washing hands
• Follow directors of House Manager of where to sit for the show

At Intermission

• Assist with sales of food and beverages after washing hands
• If using folding chair, fold it and lean against wall during intermission to clear aisle

After the Performance

• If using a folding chair, return it for storage
• Work with other Ushers to check around all seats in the theater to clear out any items
• Return silver vest to closet

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