“I keep hearing about volunteering at BDACT. But what can I do, and how do I find out?”

Here are some interesting numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

In the United States, teenagers (16- to 19-year-olds) continue to have a relatively high volunteer rate, at 26.4 percent. Volunteer rates are lowest among 20- to 24-year-olds (18.4 percent). 35- to 44-year-olds and 45- to 54-year-olds were the most likely to volunteer (28.9 percent and 28.0 percent, respectively). Volunteer rates for 55- to 64-year-olds are declining. Women tend to volunteer more often than men.

Keep in mind, those are volunteer statistics for all volunteers in all areas of life, not just the theater. However, if you ask anyone who does spend time in a community theater, they will tell you two things are certain:

Volunteers are the beating heart of community theater.
The more, the merrier!

Volunteers are what community theater is all about. The actors, the technical staff, the backstage workers, the costume crew, the props crew, the sets crew, the box office, the ushers, the concession stand…and for BDACT, even the Board of Directors and its various subcommittees. Without volunteers none of those areas function. Even the audiences are volunteers!

Let’s break this down into the basic questions. We could have a very lengthy discussion about the “why” of volunteering to give up days, nights, weeks, months and even years of your time to work in community theater. But it really all boils down to the desire to be part of this amazing culture, this world of magic, this family of some of the most creative and crazy and generous and wonderful people you will ever know.

For the purposes of this blog, I’ll focus on the “how” of volunteering for BDACT. Volunteer opportunities to work DURING performances of a particular show can be accessed via the website (bdact.org). Simply go to the “show page” for the show you want to work on, just as if you were going there to purchase tickets for the show. You’ll find info about the show, a place to order tickets, and a nice little button labeled “volunteer.” Click there. This will take you to a document which will list the volunteer opportunities available for that show. Fill in your name on one of the lines for the position you’d like to help with. That’s it! You will be contacted and reminded about when to come to the theater. We’ll tell you everything you need to succeed.

To volunteer to help CREATE the show, just reach out to BDACT at the contact info below and let us know what you’d like to do, or would like to learn to do. (We love new volunteers, and we love to share what we know how to do.) We’ll put you in contact with the right people.

If you have a member of your family who is going to audition for a show, you can volunteer to help with that show. It’s gratifying to see families in the theater together…one member rehearsing, another one helping set up the lights, or collect the props, and another family member learning how to work backstage during the performance.

If you are more interested in volunteering for something even more in the “background” of the performances, we always need people to help with mailings, with building clean-up days, with sorting, and a host of other activities. Like I said, volunteers are the beating heart of BDACT. Without volunteers, we would not be celebrating our 60th Season! (...and that’s a LOT of volunteers over the years…)

So, to recap: Who? YOU. What? Getting involved in creating magical opportunities for our community. When? NOW! Where? At the contact info below. Why? Because you’ll LOVE it! How? Call, write, visit, click, sign up.

We’re really looking forward to working with you as we all roll up our sleeves, dig in, and create something new and wonderful together…

If you are interested in volunteering at BDACT please check our website www.bdact.org for more information. It is also easy to provide your contact information through the online volunteer form. Just click the button below. And as always, I can be reached with questions regarding anything related to BDACT at [email protected] or (920) 885-6891.

Next time, we’ll discuss Auditions!