Volunteering Theatrically will consider anyone for the volunteers’ programme regardless of background or previous experience; its open to anyone aged 16 or over. We  endeavor to support volunteers’ personal goals and to consider each individual’s interests in volunteering.  We offer training, shadowing and experiential opportunities in back and off stage theatre and commit to supporting volunteers in return for their support for us.

Our main aims are:

• To facilitate the local community, especially the young, to support, enable, experience and enjoy the arts.

• To use volunteering a means of access into the non-performative aspects of the arts

While you’re a volunteer here, we’ll try to give you lots of opportunities to get involved and to help you to get to where you want to go!  We now offer a signposting service (see the application form), alongside vocational training, accreditation, informal career advice and chances to try out new things and learn new skills, no matter what your previous experience.

How does the programme work?

1. SIGN UP!    Each volunteer signs up for one season at a time. A season is about the same as a school term – spring, summer, and autumn.   There are up to 80 volunteer places on the programme per season and application packs can be downloaded at www.barbicantheatre.co.uk/volunteering.htm

2. GET IN THE KNOW All new volunteers will go through an induction at the beginning of the season where you get to know how Volunteering Theatrically works, what type of activities and productions you can get involved in, meet some of the current volunteers and the project leaders and ask any questions you have.   You’ll be able to sign up then and there to upcoming events, or you can wait till nearer the time

All volunteers then undertake basic training, in small group which should enable skills that can be used in all aspects of volunteering at the Barbican.  Taking part in the induction and training is mandatory.   

3. START VOLUNTEERING!  Three weeks before each show info is sent out about it e.g. a synopsis, how many volunteer places are available, times, dates etc.  Volunteers reply on a 1st-come-1st-served basis. We recommend ushering as a great way to get started here as it is an easy way to get used to how the volunteering here works, but it completely up to you what you choose to get involved in.  

Some projects such as the InTheFlesh festival may be recruited for separately and hold their own specific volunteer training. 

Volunteer positions like Box Office assistants or workshop facilitators that have a high degree of responsibility or are long-term are sometimes advertised inside and outside of the Barbican volunteer pool.   For these positions we are likely to hold interviews, or ask for examples of work, or references, etc, but you still don’t necessarily need previous experience to apply, and currently none of our volunteer positions require you to have any academic qualifications.

At the end of each season you have the choice whether to sign up for another season or to take a break from the programme.  We then have a recruitment period of about a month to get volunteers for the next season.

200 WORDS OF....
JAMIE SMITH - VOLUNTEER TECHNICIAN AND STAGE MANAGER

For those of you who don’t already know me, my name is Jamie and I’m a volunteer technician. Volunteering as a technician gives me great pride to help out with the running of the shows at the Barbican Theatre, there is nothing more exciting to see all the hard work you have put in all come together in the live performance. From interpreting a lighting plan to rigging, focusing and plotting it can be very diverse and electrifying, especially when things don’t go to plan and being able to quickly think on your feet to keep the show running is a very good skill to have. I have learnt many other new skills in theatre lighting and thanks to Doug, Mark and the other staff I have been fortunate to work on  
some fantastic performances such as this summers project ‘Voyage to change the world’ to which I would like to thank greatly. This invaluable experience and drawing from my film and broadcast experience has sparked my passion to become a lighting designer/ technician in the near future, which I hope to continue to pursue.

- Words by Jamie Smith

Image Left: Jamie at work in the auditorium pre-rigging for A Voyage to Change the World.

Photography by Duncan Ketley.

What we cannot currently offer volunteers:

Travel expenses

To take on anyone under 16

Taking on work experience placements

To guarantee to find the volunteer position an individual is looking for.

Though we welcome applications from disabled persons, we cannot provide facilities for those with disabilities other than those that the Barbican Theatre already offers

Qualities we are looking for from you as a volunteer:

Commitment

Willingness to work with others

Desire to learn

Enthusiasm

An interest in the Arts

Reliability

Opportunities for personal development and to get involved

A foot-in-the-door

Career Advice

Participation in a wide variety of arts activities

Networking opportunities

Work alongside industry professionals.

Take individual interests into account

To take you on as a volunteer whatever your level of previous experience.

A high level of support

Accreditation

Experience in a professional environment

Confidence building

Meet people interested in the same things as you and make contacts

Vocational training in back and off-stage skills

References

See shows for free

Your questions answered…

How much volunteering is enough volunteering?

It is expected that all volunteers as a minimum – unless recruited for specific positions – will sign up to either usher or help tech at least once per season to qualify for the benefits of volunteering
We expect a high level of commitment from our volunteers, however exactly how far you take volunteering is up to you.  You may want to come in every week and try out everything going; or you might want to just do a couple of ushering slots.  The exact dates and times of volunteering are negotiated with you and we’ll do our best to fit it in their existing commitments.

So what type of things can I volunteer for?

Here are just a few examples of volunteer positions and opportunities that were offered at the Barbican Theatre in the past year:

Photography by Kevin Clifford

Hair and Make-up artist

I don’t understand the volunteer application form- what’s it for?

The application form is just to get a general idea of your interests, experience and availability, as well info such as contact details.  You don’t need to write very much, you could just write a few words.   From the tick box areas, you will go onto a opportunities mailing list for each area of the Arts you tick, so you will only get send info about the aspects of the Arts you are interested in.  If you are having difficulties with the form, you can ask someone like your parents, a friend or even a teacher to help you.  We are also happy to help or talk you through it, just email volunteer@barbicantheatre.co.uk, or ring 01752 267131.

CONTACT US

If you have any other questions or want to talk about any aspect of volunteering here, contact…

Gina Sherman – Project Leader: Co-ordination, Volunteering Theatrically
volunteer@barbicantheatre.co.uk
01752 242 020

Barbican Theatre, Castle Street, PLYMOUTH, PL1 2NJ