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Volunteering at Underground Venues
Volunteering is a great way to get experience in theatre that can be invaluable in the future. At Underground, volunteers can find themselves involved in all aspects of the process learning how venues are run or how companies produce shows on the fringe, to learning particular technical and business skills. As well as valuable work experience, volunteering at Underground can be a great opportunity to meet people actors, directors and producers as well as some big name comedians and help build contacts for the future.
We aim to find jobs suited to the interests and wishes of our volunteers but the basic system we operate is as follows.
What Volunteers Help With
Main duties involve:
- publicity distribution
- working on the box office and information desk
- ushering shows
You can also be involved in:
- Helping venue technicians set-up spaces learning how to rig lights, set-up sound equipment, design a Fringe theatre
- Planning and executing various Fringe Club events
- Liaising with visiting companies
- Helping visiting companies with technical set-ups
- Helping produce publicity material
- Helping sell shows in the Fringe Club and around town
- Liaising with local and national press and media groups
- Design and construction of props / set for visiting companies
- Assisting and overseeing decoration and layout of the spaces and the Fringe Club
What Volunteers Get In Return
Helping at a major Fringe venue can give you experience in many aspects of theatre that employers particularly those in the theatre world will value very highly. If you hope to go into theatre at some stage even as an actor this is a unique opportunity.
Further to this, all volunteers will get:
- Free entry to any show thats not sold out. This is a great way to see a good deal of shows on the Fringe for free.
- Free entry to the Fringe Club every night of the Fringe including all Fringe Club events whether working or not.
- Free Underground T-shirt
- Sweets and other treats!
How Much Do I Need To Commit To?
The amount you work at the venue is completely flexible according to your availability we wont expect you to be at the venue every day of the Fringe. We will probably ask you to sign up to three or more afternoon / evening slots but if you are keen and wish to extend your experience there are no limits to how many slots you can work!
Particular Roles
If you want to concentrate on getting experience in a particular field we are happy to take people on solely as Venue Technicians, Front of House Assistants or Publicity Assistants. Alternatively you can pick and mix the various duties listed above.
