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Get Involved in the Arts!

Discover Rewarding Volunteer Opportunities in Naperville, IL

Are you passionate about giving back to your community? Do you have an interest in theatre, set building, marketing, grant writing, multimedia design, photography, or fundraising? Join us at Summer Place Theatre, where we welcome individuals eager to make a difference. Check out volunteer opportunities below! Feel free to reach out if there's another way to contribute!

Why Volunteer with Us?

Whether you can spare a single night, commit to an entire summer, or contribute an hour now and then, we have a place for you on our dedicated team. We offer a range of volunteer opportunities to match your skills and interests.

Student Volunteer Opportunities

If you're a student in need of volunteer hours, we have opportunities available throughout the year. Make a positive impact on your community while gaining valuable experience.

How to Get Involved

Ready to contribute your time and skills? Reach out to us via email at apply@summerplacetheatre.org or connect with us on social media. We're eager to start the conversation and welcome you to our passionate team.

Make a difference today - join Summer Place Theatre in Naperville, IL!

Paid Artistic and Production Staff Positions

 


Summer Place Theatre is seeking an experienced and skilled Master Carpenter for our 2025 season productions of Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde. The Master Carpenter will be responsible for transforming scenic designs into fully realized, safe, and functional sets. This role requires leadership, advanced carpentry skills, and a commitment to maintaining high safety standards while working with a team of volunteers and assistants. This is an independent contractor position that includes a stipend ($500 per show)

Key Responsibilities:

  • Set Construction: Build platforms, walls, stairs, and other scenic elements according to the scenic designer's specifications, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
  • Leadership & Collaboration: Lead a team of volunteer carpenters and assistants, delegating tasks effectively and ensuring a positive and productive work environment.
  • Safety & Compliance: Ensure all set pieces are safe for actors and crew by adhering to industry safety standards, conducting safety checks, and maintaining a hazard-free workspace.
  • Material Management: Order and manage lumber, hardware, and other necessary materials within budget, coordinating deliveries and inventory.
  • Technical Collaboration: Work closely with the Scenic Designer, Technical Director, and Stage Manager to ensure set functionality and integration with lighting, sound, and choreography requirements.
  • Problem Solving & Adaptation: Troubleshoot construction challenges and make necessary adjustments during the build and tech rehearsal process.
  • Load-In & Strike:
    • Load-In: Late May 2025
    • Set Strike for Little Shop of Horrors: June 29, 2025
    • Set Strike for Legally Blonde: August 3, 2025
      Lead the load-in, installation, and final adjustments of set pieces. Oversee the safe and efficient strike of the set after each production.
  • Communication & Scheduling: Collaborate with the production team to create build schedules, meeting deadlines while maintaining high-quality construction standards.

Important Dates:

  • Load-In: Late May 2025
  • Set build for Little Shop of Horrors: begins June 1st
  • Tech week for Little Shop of Horrors: Begins June 15th
  • Set Strike for Little Shop of Horrors: June 29, 2025
  • Set Build for Legally Blonde: Begins July 1st
  • Tech Week for Legally Blonde: Begins July 13
  • Set Strike for Legally Blonde: August 3, 2025

Qualifications:

  • Experience: At least 2 years of carpentry experience, preferably in theatrical set construction. Experience leading a team and working with volunteers is highly desirable.
  • Technical Skills: Advanced knowledge of carpentry tools and techniques, including power tools, rigging, and scenic construction methods.
  • Safety Expertise: Proven understanding of safety protocols and best practices in theatrical construction and set installation.
  • Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team. Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with creative and technical teams.
  • Problem Solving: Proactive and resourceful in troubleshooting and adapting scenic elements to meet production needs.
  • Availability: Must be available for build days, technical rehearsals, and load-in/strike days for both productions as outlined above.

Link to apply: Link to Apply: https://form.jotform.com/242637138325154

Direct any questions to apply@summerplacetheatre.org

 

Volunteer Opportunities

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

Box Office

This person will play a key role in managing ticketing operations for Summer Place Theatre’s performances. This individual will handle customer inquiries, oversee ticket sales at performances, manage the cash drawer, and coordinate additional box office volunteers as needed. This position is ideal for someone organized, customer-focused, and interested in supporting local theatre.

Responsibilities:

Customer Service: Respond to customer calls and emails related to ticket purchases and performance inquiries, using our electronic ticketing system on Tix.com.
Event Ticket Sales: Attend each performance to manage on-site ticket sales, starting an hour before the show. Ensure a smooth and friendly check-in experience for patrons.
Cash Management: Count the cash drawer after each performance, accurately tracking ticket sales and handling funds responsibly.
Volunteer Coordination: Recruit, train, and schedule additional box office volunteers to assist with ticketing and customer service as needed.

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.

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. 

Commitment:

These volunteer roles offer flexibility. Whether you prefer a one-time commitment or want to be involved in multiple performances, we welcome your support.

Stage Crew

Stage Crew fills in behind the scenes as requested by the Stage Manager. They may help with loading in to the theatre, move set pieces,  run the light board,  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, including assisting with load in and set strike. They may be asked to attend a rehearsal prior to tech week. We are currently looking for crews for both "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Legally Blonde". 

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 the crew, cast and any volunteers wishing to help 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

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

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

Auditions

Follow us on social media, join our mailing list to learn more about upcoming auditions for  "Little Shop of Horrors" and "Legally Blonde" this spring!

The latest Audition information is on our Auditions page.

Stay Informed

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.

GET ON THE MAILING LIST

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