So, you want to be a volunteer, eh?
Calling all artists and arts enthusiasts! Are you passionate about supporting the arts in your community? Do you love live theatre and performance art that pushes the boundaries and takes risks? Are you a high school student looking to get those last few community service hours before you graduate? Whatever the reason, volunteering for ON THE EDGE Fringe might just be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
ON THE EDGE Fringe started out as a grassroots, volunteer-run organization. From our first Fringe festival in 2014 to now, volunteers have been the heart and soul of our operation. We rely on volunteers to help us spread the word about our activities, to help our festivals and events run smoothly, and to help make artists’ dreams come true. To be blunt, without volunteers ON THE EDGE Fringe wouldn’t exist.
By checking out our website you’ve taken the first step to becoming a volunteer with us. Below is information on what to expect as a volunteer, the different volunteer positions we have available, and how to sign-up. But right now you’re probably asking yourself…
What’s in it for me?
Not only is volunteering a great way to help us out, give back to your community, and feel good about the work you do, it’s also a great way to meet new people. As a volunteer with ON THE EDGE Fringe, you’ll get to meet amazing artists, engage with wonderful patrons, and be part of our awesome team. You’ll make new friends and memories, gain experience, and have a fun time doing it!
In addition, you’ll also get:
- An ON THE EDGE Fringe t-shirt
- An exclusive volunteer button
- Show passes (one show pass for every shift worked)
- Public recognition for the amazing work you do
- Our undying appreciation
What are the requirements?
ON THE EDGE Fringe welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, and strengths. Volunteers are expected to be friendly, courteous, and helpful to the artists, patrons, and fellow team members they engage with. You will be the first point of contact for many folks attending our events, and we need you to be a positive and welcoming representative for our company.
Certain volunteer roles have specific requirements, but in general all volunteers must:
- Be 14 years of age or older*
- Participate in orientation and/or training before volunteering
- Agree to and abide by our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy
*Volunteers under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian fill out a waiver before they can volunteer with us.
What kind of jobs can I volunteer for?
There are several different areas we need help with. Information about each can be found below.
Set up/tear down:
Generally, this takes place at the beginning and end of an event or festival. It involves activities such as setting up/putting away chairs, tables, or risers; hanging pipe & drape; transporting boxes, bins, furniture, or set pieces; and helping with displays and decorations. It is the most physically demanding of our volunteer positions, and you will be expected to do some moderate to heavy lifting.
Admissions/Doors
As part of our Front of House team, you will be responsible for greeting patrons and managing line-ups outside of the venues. You will check and scan tickets or passes before allowing entry into the venue or event, and keep track of patron attendance. You will be expected to answer patron questions, provide directions and information, and stay calm under pressure.
Merch sales
ON THE EDGE Fringe has merchandise such as t-shirts, tote bags, buttons, and magnets that we sell at our festivals and events. Volunteers at our merch table will be responsible for handling cash and debit sales, monitoring inventory, managing merchandise displays, and answering customer questions.
Venue technician
Do you have a background or budding interest in theatre tech? Then why not sign up to be one of our venue technicians. As a technician, you will be responsible for running the lighting and sound for our Fringe shows and other events. You will work closely with the artists and the Technical Director to learn all the sound and lighting cues for the shows in your assigned venue, and will be expected to work independently to run the shows during the festival or event. Ideally, we would like our technicians to commit to volunteering for the entire festival (including the day before when we do tech rehearsals), but if you are super keen and can only come for a few days we’ll figure out a way to make it work.
Fringe Ambassador
Fringe Ambassadors are our friendly greeters and mobile information points that will be available around the festival. They are there to enhance our festival patron experience by answering questions, directing patrons to the festival venues and box office, and welcoming patrons to our festival.
Where do I sign-up?
We are currently seeking volunteers for our 2024 Fringe Festival. Signing up is easy. Simply fill out our Volunteer Sign-up Form (see link below). Once we have your info, our Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you to discuss your interests and the opportunities we have available. They will also be the one to schedule your shifts and track down any missing information we might need (such as parental consent forms).
Who do I contact for more information?
If you have any questions about our volunteer program or our organization, please feel free to contact our Administrative Director, Tara Windatt at info@ontheedgefringe.com.