My Kingdom for a Volunteer: Shakespeare Theatre Looking for Local Staff

When Emily McQueen moved back to Madison a year ago, she wanted to get involved in the community.

She signed up to be a volunteer at the , on the campus, which she could walk to from her apartment.

"I think we are lucky to have live theater in town," McQueen said.

Though she wasn't a Shakespeare buff when she became a volunteer, she said she has enjoyed watching the shows. "It's just fun to be around the Theatre."

For every performance that volunteers work, they receive a voucher for one ticket to a Shakespeare Theatre production. Vouchers are good for all performances except Saturday and Sunday matinees.

Heather Arney, house manager and assistant box office manager, said the Shakespeare Theatre has about 200 active volunteers, and has six at every performance.

McQueen said she especially enjoyed treating her friends to a night out at the theater with the vouchers she received for volunteering.

She also likes meeting other volunteers, who range in age and backgrounds.

Madison resident Joan Huber, who has been a Shakespeare Theatre volunteer for several years, said she too likes talking to the other volunteers, including students who are members of the theater's Junior Corps and Senior Corps. "It's been fun working with the young people, seeing their enthusiasm and their knowledge of Shakespeare."

Before she signed up, Huber attended the theater occasionally. Since she has been volunteering, she has seen a number of shows, more than she would have otherwise, she said. "It's opened my eyes to the theater," she added.

Volunteers arrive at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre one hour before the show and are assigned jobs as ticket-takers, ushers or cashiers in the small lobby gift shop. During the first act, they help set up the refreshments, then work in the concessions booth or gift shop during intermission. After that, they may leave.

They are asked to wear white shirts and khaki skirts or pants in the summer and white shirts and dark skirts or pants in the winter.

Arney sends volunteers an email before each production asking them to sign up for specific performances, then confirms the dates they are needed.

There are no requirements that volunteers work a particular number of performances or even that they work every show.

McQueen said she also sold raffle tickets before shows, and volunteers generally help people find their seats and answer questions from audience members.

Huber said the work is simple and Shakespeare Theatre staff makes sure that volunteers are comfortable with the tasks they are asked to perform.

For information about volunteering, call 973-408-3694 or email harney@ShakespeareNJ.org.