Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are a vital part of the Revels family. It’s a great, fun way to become part of the Revels circle. There are a variety of ways to get involved, so you can match your age, experience, and availability to what suits you.

Here are two ways to get started:
Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form [MS Word] and email it back to Revels at: info@revelsdc.org
Or, contact us at 202-723-7528

Here are some ways to participate throughout the year:

Wednesday Night Work Parties

Wednesday night volunteers meet while the chorus rehearses, doing projects ranging from preparing mailings to creating props to making small items to be sold at the shows. No particular experience or talents are needed, and no time commitment is necessary—come when you can and stay as long as you like! This tends to be a very fun, informal, and chatty group—a great way to get to know other volunteers as well as cast members, and listen to the music from rehearsals across the hall.

Publicity Crew

Help us Promote the 2007 Christmas Revels! We are looking for volunteers to help with postering, flyer distribution, program ad contacts, concierge contacts, publicity assistance, street fairs & parades, and more! The time commitment is flexible - you can help out once, or every week. For more information or to sign up, contact Debbie at: dgrossman@revelsdc.org or 202-723-7528.

Revels Merchandise

Revels sells books, CDs, T-shirts, ornaments, and other merchandise before and after the show and during intermission. This is a wonderful way to connect directly with audience members—you often are the first to hear the compliments! Sellers should be adults or high school-age teens. A two-show minimum commitment is required. Sellers must arrive at least one hour before show time to help set up and to familiarize themselves with the merchandise. During the performance you will be able to go in and watch the show.

Props Running Crew

This crew manages the props, setting the stage for each act and making sure cast members get what they need when they need it during the show. The crew consists of about eight members (adults, teens, and older kids, generally 12 years old and up); members must attend at least one of the weekend rehearsals (preferably in November), every Lisner week rehearsal, and every show. We will make every effort to work around one or two conflicts, but would prefer you commit to the entire run. If possible, the crew may get the opportunity to watch one show from the audience, but you can watch every show from the wings!

Please Note: Because of the small size of the crew, slots for new volunteers are few but please contact the office if you are interested.

Makeup Crew

The makeup crew helps the teen and adult chorus, and sometimes the principal actors and the musicians, put on their stage makeup before each show as well as check for needed touch-ups during intermission. No experience is necessary as training is provided during one of the weekend rehearsals, probably December 2nd. A minimum commitment of two shows is needed, plus attendance during most of the Lisner week rehearsals. Because makeup is completed before the cast goes onstage, you get to see most of the show even when you work!

Wardrobe

Wardrobe assistants help the chorus members and principals with their costumes during the run of the show as well as during tech week and the November costume rehearsal. The dressers assist the wardrobe mistress with ironing or steaming costumes, making minor repairs such as sewing buttons, snaps or fixing hems, and checking that each chorus members' costume is complete before they go on stage. Basic sewing skills are helpful, but much of the work consists of throwing a robe on someone dashing in for a quick change or pinning a hem as an emergency repair. Volunteers need to be at the theater two hours before show time. They can leave after all the chorus members are in costume. Dressers are asked to volunteer for at least one rehearsal night and one performance during the run of the show.

Stitchers

There is some need for volunteers to do light sewing on costumes during the months of October and November. This sewing would be removing or adding trims, minor repairs, changing buttons or snaps and changing hems. Volunteers need to be able to pick up and return the costumes to the Revels office.

Other Volunteer Opportunities Throughout the Year

• Office helpers on a regular or occasional basis. Help prepare ticket orders, mailings. Hone your computer skills! Flexible schedule: a few hours 1-2 days during work week.
• Schleppers with strong backs to move props, set, etc. Truck or van an asset.
• Callers to phone BackStagers about specific assignments.
• Gofers: car & weekday hours desirable
• Wednesday Night Work Parties take place during Fall Christmas Revels rehearsals -- volunteers meet while the chorus rehearses, doing projects ranging from preparing mailings to creating props to making small items to be sold at the shows. No particular experience or talents are needed and no time commitment is necessary -- come when you can and stay as long as you like! This tends to be a very fun, informal, and chatty group -- a great way to get to know other volunteers as well as cast members, and listen to the music from rehearsals across the hall.
• Helpers at weekend rehearsals: fetching, carrying, taking notes.
• Costume assistants: help create, mend, maintain costumes... excellent machine sewing skills a plus.
• Wardrobe assistants: to help fit costumes at weekend rehearsals. (Sewing skills not a first priority!)

  To help, contact us at: info@revelsdc.org or 202-723-7528