Help me find volunteer work for theater gigs in Philly.

November 17, 2013 6:30 AM

For reasons related to an interest in playwriting, I want to volunteer for Philly theater companies. I'll do anything as long as it is related to the theater and in the company of other theater folks. THE BIG CHALLENGE: I'm a wheelchair user. What is the best way to approach this looking-for-volunteer work situation?
posted by angrycat to Work & Money (5 answers total)

The best way to approach a theater company and say that you want to volunteer is - just call them and ask! Most companies will be thrilled, especially the smaller ones.

The big companies may be limited when it comes to volunteer opportunities - my hunch would be that they'd mainly be looking for ushers, and that may be a bit tricky for you. But here and there you may find someone who'd need a box office volunteer, an office volunteer, or spare hands stuffing envelopes for fund drives, etc. The smaller companies would DEFINITELY need people for those tasks because smaller companies are chronically understaffed and underfunded. So maybe stick to the smaller, non-profit companies.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:24 AM on November 17, 2013

As a house manager of just the sort of theater company the Empress describes, I can report that she is 100% correct. Small and mid-size theater nonprofits are in perpetual need of good front end volunteers, special event volunteers, promotional volunteers, etc, etc, etc. Heck, in my town even the great big roadhouse performance space with pro touring acts needs volunteers all the time.

Start with the modest sized local theaters you like, especially the non-profits (most of them will be), and start making calls. Wheelchair or no, I predict many opportunities just because of the nature of the business. Good luck, both with this and your long term playwriting goals!
posted by EatTheWeek at 9:26 AM on November 17, 2013

Definitely call and/or email! The smaller and poorer the company, the more help they will need, but everybody is looking for volunteers, especially for front-of-house and administrative work. If you were in my hometown instead of Philly, I'd be twisting your arm as we speak!
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:59 PM on November 17, 2013

Response by poster: Okay, thanks guys!
posted by angrycat at 4:23 AM on November 18, 2013

I'd call the more established companies that definitely are handicap accessible, such as the Wilma, the Arden, Annenberg if you are in University City, and the Walnut Street Theatre. Even if they don't have opportunities for you - and I bet they do, they are theatre anchors in Philly and will have loads of contacts. I agree that the smaller companies are more desperate for volunteer assistance, but they are sometimes housed in converted spaces that are not handicap accessible, and these Philly theatre stalwarts can help you sort through volunteer opportunities. Not every volunteer position requires physical agility, either. The box office, for example, might be very grateful for additional help.
posted by citygirl at 8:49 AM on November 18, 2013