Whether you can help for one night, all summer, or an hour here and there, we would love to have you be part of the team!

Volunteering opportunities include set building, costuming, backstage crew, ushering, concessions and box office support, props coordination, marketing and promotion, fundraising, play reading, and more.

Remember, you can find out how you and your family can get involved by emailing us.

volunteer@summerplacetheatre.org

Keep scrolling for:

Production Jobs (w honorarium!), Volunteer Jobs, Acting "Jobs"

We pay an honorarium for these positions. Community theatre appreciates the talents of all those who take part in a production, but our overall philosophy is to bring the show to life for the love of theatre and not for financial gain. We are a non-profit company. However, we also understand a couple key things: we live in a competitive society and we realize the positions below take the lead in launching the show. For that, we want to honor these individuals with some small monetary sum at the end of the show which we hope will both cover some of their costs and their time commitment to us.

We're always on the lookout for excellent theatre professionals to direct, design, and manage our shows.

These jobs have an honorarium payment and contractor agreement associated with them. 

We are looking for people with some experience in theatre production for these spots, but for assistant roles, we'll be happy to train on the job.

The best approach is to contact us. Attach a resume (MS Word or PDF). Let's get the conversation going!

Email Apply@summerplacetheatre.org

 

 

Director-filled for 2023

You have the vision of the show, and convey that vision to each of the other production team, then work in concert with them to bring the show to life. Most of the shows we do are well-known classics, so changes to script and characters are rarely allowed, but we're open to hear interpretations which fit the spirit of the show or help messages behind the book and lyrics come across strongly. You'll be there from concept in early January through tech week where you hand off the show to our Stage Manager.

Vocal Director-filled for 2023

You bring out the best in our singers! You'll work to ensure clear, clean notes from our soloists, and strong, tight harmonies from our choruses. You'll work with the entire production team and have input on how the songs are sung and interpreted. You should be able to play piano so you can accompany sections as they learn their parts and then play the songs' accompaniment. 

Music Director-filled for 2023

You're responsible for hiring musicians and planning rehearsals for the pit. You're part of the creative team and will give input to how the music helps tell the story. Most of our productions are well-known classics, so the score and all the parts are provided. You'll begin in the early part of the year and plan rehearsals, including sitz probe and tech week, then conduct the orchestra and singers in the shows throughout the run of the show. You'll have a budget for hiring musicians.

Choreographer-filled for 2023

You will make the actor's movements come alive on our stage!  You'll give input as part of the creative team on the vision of the show,  how it flows, of course on major dance numbers and consulted on some blocking depending on the mix and experience of the other directors. You'll begin in the early part of 2023 and work through tech week of the show. 

Scenic Designer-Seeking for Newsies

You'll begin ASAP with the directors to design the look of the show, then create plans to pass to the master carpenter and prop master. Most designers of our shows assist with set construction as well. Experience with set design, access to drafting tools, and a cooperative demenor, are all desired traits in our scenic designers. 

Costumer-filled for 2023

You'll design the look of our actors on stage and source all costumes and accessories (like purses and wigs). Sewing skills are a plus, but the most important qualities are a great eye and a creative use of the costume budget! Rentals, thrift store purchases, and hand-made pieces are usually combined to create a cohesive costume design, but start with Summer Place's storage unit. You should also be available during the run of the show to repair or clean costume pieces as needed. 

Lighting Designer-filled for 2023

You'll be using the new lighting system at Naperville Central HS Auditorium, supplemented with some of our our equipment, to put our show in its best light--pun intended! You'll start ASAP and help form the vision of the show with the directors, and then be responsible for procuring the appropriate equipment, setting it up, adjusting throughout tech week, and operating the light board through the run of the show. Experience with lighting a show is required. 

Sound Designer-filled for 2023

Our Sound Designer is responsible for balancing the singers with the orchestra, creating a mic plot, and ensuring that our audience hears every word and melody. You'll have access to all of our sound equipment, and if you determine that there are additional sound needs, you'll work within the budget to rent extra equipment. Ideally the Sound Designer runs the board during the performances. 

Prop Manager-filled for 2023

You'll scour the script for mentions of props and use your imagination--or your Googling skills!--to create, purchase, or borrow the needed pieces. Start the search in our storage unit, and use the prop budget and your clever negotiating skills to find anything we don't already have. Work with the director and set designer to make sure the props fit the look and time period of the show. You should also be available during the run of the show for any repairs or replacements. 

Stage Manager-filled for 2023

You're the person who assists the director through the entire production period and assumes responsibility for the show as it moves into final rehearsals and performances. You'll also be concerned for the safety of all people involved in the production. Your involvement runs now through strike on July 31. You'll help facilitate auditions and rehearsals and be liaison to the cast. Communication, thoroughness and attention to detail are key required skills. 

Assistant Stage Manager-filled for 2023

You'll assist the Stage Manager as we reach tech week and the run of the performances. You'll help communicate between cast and crew as well as perform crew work as well. A friendly disposition, upbeat manner, and ability to work in a rapidly changing environment are critical traits. 

Technical Director-filled for 2023

The Technical Director will oversee all technical aspects as well as coordinate a build schedule with the Master Carpenter.  You'll need well-rounded experience in all technical aspects of production, and a friendly, mentoring outlook on volunteers and fellow crew to create an inclusive learning environment. You'll begin ASAP and work with the creative team to help form and fulfill their artistic vision. Work will continue through load-out up to August 4. 

Master Carpenter

The Master Carpenter's job is to take the scenic design and bring it to life! With the help of your assistant and the build crew, you will do the hands-on work of ordering the lumber and building platforms, walls, stairs, and other set pieces to the appropriate dimensions. You'll work closely with the scenic designer, the director, and the choreographer to ensure that the set is safe to use and gives the actors enough space to move around. The ideal candidate has several years of carpentry experience, especially building stage sets or other structures. 

Musicians

Our musicians bring the score to life! You'll prepare your part on your own, attend orchestra rehearsals prior to the show, and attend all tech rehearsals and performances. Professional and amateur musicians alike are welcome to submit a resume, and you may be asked to send in a recording or attend an audition. 

The honorariums may be changed per season based on economic conditions and without prior notice.

Here's a partial list of what our awesome volunteers do:

Usher

Ushers greet audience members at the door of the theatre and pass out programs, point out bathrooms, assist people with the elevator, and help people to their seats as needed. They open the doors at intermission, monitor the bringing of concessions into the theatre (politely remind them to finish their concessions in the lobby), and assist the House Manager as requested. Ushers may watch the show in the theatre once the audience is seated. This is a one-time commitment.

Box Office Staff

The Box Office staff checks in season ticket holders, scans tickets, sells tickets (either by collecting cash and returning correct change, or scanning a credit card), and directs audience members to the theatre. They may perform other tasks as requested by the Box Office Manager. This is a one-time commitment.

Concessions

The volunteers who sell concessions during intermission will collect cash and return correct change, replenish concessions as needed from the provided supply, and report any food or drink items that need to be replenished to the House Manager. This is a one-time commitment. 

Stage Crew

Stage Crew fills in behind the scenes as requested by the Stage Manager. They may move set pieces, place props on stage, run the sound or light board, operate spotlights, relay instructions from the Stage Manager, and perform other tasks as needed to ensure the show runs smoothly. They often work in very low light and lift heavy objects. The stage crew is committed for tech week and each performance.

Set Building

Tech Week: Volunteers who help to build the set will work under the Technical Director and/or Master Carpenter to construct, paint, and dress the set. They use power tools, paint set pieces and furniture, and perform other tasks as requested to prepare the stage for the opening of the show. This is a short-term commitment of one or two weeks.

Strike: At the end of the run of the show, the strike crew will dismantle the set and assist the staff with cleanup so we can vacate the theatre or prepare for the next show. These tasks could include

• Helping the Lighting Designer unplug and remove or reposition lights
• Helping the Sound Designer collect and inventory microphones and cables
• Helping the Props Master collect and inventory props
• Helping the Stage Manager collect and erase scripts
• Helping the Costume Designer collect and inventory costumes
• Helping the Technical Director or Master Carpenter take down the set and set dressings
• Helping the Music Director dismantle the pit by moving instruments or chairs and music stands
• Taking set pieces, furniture, props, and costumes to storage

This is generally a one-time commitment.

Production Team Volunteers

We need plenty of help to get the show from rehearsal to final curtain. Our production team needs help with costume design, props, operating the sound or light board, assisting the director or the stage manager, and acting or playing in the pit. These volunteers are committed for the run of the show.

Publicity

Publicity volunteers help spread the word about Summer Place Events. They create and post flyers, brainstorm marketing campaigns, post on social media, and perform other tasks as requested by the Publicity Chair. Some other tasks may include:

• Collecting cast and crew bios and headshots
• Taking cast and crew headshots
• Photographing rehearsals, shows, and other events
• Updating the website with news articles
• Visiting retirement communities to distribute publicity materials to their program director
• Posting information about upcoming events on online calendars
• Sending press releases to local newspapers

Volunteers may serve on the publicity committee for the whole year, or simply put up posters one Saturday morning. There’s something to fit every schedule.

Fiduciary Committee

Volunteers on the Fiduciary Committee help to keep Summer Place running throughout the year. They research and write grants, brainstorm and plan fundraisers, balance our accounts, sell ads and solicit donations, and act in the best interests of Summer Place Theatre. These positions can be long-term, or you can join us for a single grant-writing night.

Can you do one of these tasks?

Send us an email:

Email Volunteer@SummerPlaceTheatre.org

All our actors are unpaid. In fact, there's a script and costume offset fee that each actor pays per performance with us. 

The latest Audition information is on our Auditions page.

We send out an email when we are in need, or to keep you informed of upcoming volunteer opportunities. 

If you want to be notified, click the button below to add your name to the mailing list.

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