382 posts
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Post by stevemar on Mar 1, 2024 12:54:56 GMT
I thought this was a nice article about volunteering at theatres, particularly when there is a fair bit of negativity about theatres/audiences: www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/mar/01/theatre-volunteers I see that some members here have talked about volunteering before, but just wondered if you wanted to share? I volunteer not at a theatre, but for a walking group, and in the past at a vaccination centre and for charity. For me, it’s about getting a sense of achievement and building confidence, teamwork and bringing people together. |
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8,153 posts
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Post by alece10 on Mar 1, 2024 13:31:30 GMT
I've been doing it on and off for most of my life from helping out in an old people's home when I was a kid and, more recently, at our streets summer and Christmas street fairs. Also at my GP surgery as part if the PPG group.
But the longest and, without doubt, best volunteer job I had was at a London fringe theatre where I worked for 10 years. I only stopped because they decided to have paid ushers rather than volunteers otherwise I'm sure I would still be there. It was an amazing time and, as it was a small theatre I was part of the team so got to meet all the creatives, casts and the many celebrities who came to see the shows.
It was a totally different world than my 9-5 job in the public sector.
I retire this year so would love to maybe go back to volunteering in a theatre or, better still, do a couple if days a week and get paid somewhere. Then I could still afford to go to the theatre which I probably wouldn't be able to do as much on a state pension.
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235 posts
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Post by Jane Parfitt on Mar 1, 2024 14:53:16 GMT
I volunteered front of house at my local theatre for seven years and it was great for meeting new friends and seeing theatre that I wouldn't necessarily have chosen to see but actually really enjoyed! When COVID struck and we closed for the duration many of the paid staff were made redundant so when we finally reopened it was very different. Initially on reopening the audiences were extra lovely but as time went on they have become more and more rude and entitled. Our theatre has quite a draconian bag policy and the abuse we received about it was completely unacceptable. I finally decided that I wasn't prepared to put up with it any more so I left.
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Post by bigredapple on Mar 1, 2024 15:55:22 GMT
This sounds really interesting. Does anyone know of any London theatre volunteering opportunities atm? Preferably central or SE
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1,862 posts
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Post by Dave B on Mar 1, 2024 16:05:40 GMT
This sounds really interesting. Does anyone know of any London theatre volunteering opportunities atm? Preferably central or SE Southwark Playhouse for sure
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7,179 posts
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Post by Jon on Mar 1, 2024 16:07:37 GMT
I get volunteering for community stuff but I think if I wanted to work for a theatre, I'd rather be paid.
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Post by aspieandy on Mar 1, 2024 17:50:02 GMT
I volunteer in the sense of solo campaigning for change. I don't present well in person but can be surprisingly effective in email/online. I have changed policy at some London theatres, still some to go. The main issue with that is the belief that 'disability' = wheelchair. Reality is that something like 90% of disabled people don't need a chair (for many, like me, it's a brain difference). If you believe your theatre complies with the Equality Act because you provide wheelchair spaces, you are not legal (Hi Barbican!). A bigger success is I have around 1,000 out every weekend participating in a couple of events a London council blocked for over a decade. That took a couple of years to realise. Don't want to say more as it could ID me. It's a thrill, tbh. Volunteering is surprisingly fulfilling. All ages. Key is to empower people in their role. Only needs take a few minutes and they become much more confident and likely want to return.
People moderating this board are volunteers.
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