Lake Country Playhouse will always be driven by the dedicated volunteers who help us provide the best guest experience everyday. From corporations and arts organizations to community leaders, families and individuals, our volunteers do more than just donate their time and resources – they form the roots that connect us to the communities that fuel our future growth.                                     

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FALL 2024 - CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

To volunteer at Lake Country Playhouse, or for more information, please fill out the form below.
Scroll down for volunteer position descriptions.

HELP MAKE THE MAGIC HAPPEN…

There are many important people who help to make a production go smoothly--on and off stage.
Below are positions that are often needed:

Production Manager
The production manager generally is responsible for budgeting, scheduling work, and coordinating the various production departments. The production manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the production are completed within budget, according to the designer's and director's wishes, and in time for the first public performance. He or she oversees the cost effectiveness and planning of the entire production process. Read more here: https://aact.org/production-manager

Stage Manager typically provides practical and organizational support to the director, actors, designers, stage crew and technicians throughout the production process. They also are the director's representative during performances, making sure that the production runs smoothly. The role of the stage manager is especially important to the director in rehearsals. Here the director and the stage manager work side by side, with the stage manager recording the director's decisions about blocking and notes for the actors, keeping track of logistical and scheduling details and communicating what goes on in rehearsals to the rest of the team. This enables the director to concentrate his or her full attention on directing. Read more here: https://aact.org/stage-manager

Assistant Stage Manager
Often needed in larger productions, the ASM is often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage manager (who is out in the house) and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The ASM often helps with complex set changes, quick changes offstage, or preparing the stage for performance.

Choreographer
Designs and directs the dance or stylized movement in musical productions, working closely with the director and musical director. A choreographer works with dancers to interpret and develop ideas and transform them into the finished performance. This might mean taking overall control of a production, or working under the director of an opera, play or musical. Previous experience required.

Properties Master/Designer
Most productions use a properties master to deal with the large number of small items that a play needs. In larger shows, there may also be a props designer who decides what the props should look like and how they will function, in coordination with the director and set designers.

Prop Manager/Master
This person is responsible for designing and securing all stage properties needed for each character in show. (Note: Some companies have two positions--a Prop Manager who is responsible for building, storing and cataloging all props for the company, and a separate Prop Master for each production.)  Key duties may include:  Works with director to understand his/her vision and needs related to time period or other limitations; determines needed props for each show considering script, time period of show, and usage of props; works with producer to communicate budgetary needs and work within the assigned budget; collects all receipts for expenses and turn in to producer; works with producer as necessary to find alternate sources of props if unable to find what is needed; works with producer and director to ensure props are ready according to schedule; works closely with each actor to develop understanding of usage of any special props; works with stage manager and props crew to explain and develop mechanics of running the show, including setting up prop tables and assigning specific tasks to each crew member; strikes all props at end of show and return to prop shop or place of origin.

Costume Designer Create the look of each character by designing clothes and accessories the actors will wear in performance. Depending on their style and complexity, costumes may be made, bought, revamped out of existing stock or rented. Creative collaboration among the costume designer, the director and the set and lighting designers ensures that the costumes are smoothly integrated into the production as a whole.

Hair Dresser
Responsible for the design and execution of hairstyle and color for cast members appearing on stage. Key duties may include: Submitting hair design and color samples for cast members appearing in a production, in consultation with director, costume designer and make-up artist; creating designs as agreed upon while instructing cast members in the proper procedure for execution of the design; monitoring and maintaining hair designs and color throughout the run of the production; maintaining an inventory of design tools, dryers, and related hairdressing materials for use in each production; collecting, maintaining and preserving hairpieces and/or wigs as property of the theatre company; supervising clean up and storage of all hair products; working within prescribed budget; training hairdressing volunteers in method and practice.

Make-Up Artist
This person is responsible for preparation and application of make-up to cast members. Key duties may include: consulting with director, costume designer and hairstylist for final approval of characters’ appearances; make-up design; maintaining an inventory of make-up products consistent with general makeup requirements for cast members; acquiring any make-up products specific to character cast members’ appearance on stage; applying make-up for cast members unfamiliar with basic requirements and techniques, to be done in an instructional manner so as to allow cast members to learn techniques; supervising and maintaining make-up requirements throughout the run of each production; supervising removal of make-up, preserving pre-cast and/or pre-made pieces for use throughout the run of the production; supervising clean-up of make-up room and inventory of products; cleaning and storing make-up to preserve product life and allow maximum use; working within prescribed budget; and training make-up volunteers in methods and practice.

Set Designer
All the scenery, furniture and props the audience sees at a production of a play make up the set design. The set designer's job is to design these physical surroundings in which the action will take place. Read more here: https://aact.org/set-designer

Master Carpenter
The master carpenter's job takes the working drawings from the TD, and using them, builds the set. After a quick glance at the working drawings, the MC should be able to schedule the build, order lumber, and then just pass that information on to the crew chief and TD, who make sure that the carpenters are there at the appropriate times. In many theatres, these duties having been absorbed into the TD position. If your show can come up with a master carpenter, use them wisely.

Master Electrician
The ME is responsible for taking the lighting plot and making sure that all lighting units on the plot are hung in the correct locations and actually work. Coordinating the numbers of lights and circuits and allocating cabling, gels, and other accessories are the most important aspects of this role. In many theatres, the light designer often ends up sharing many of the typical ME roles, so the job gets done by both.

Carpenters/Electricians
When sets need to be built or lights hung, shows need carpenters and electricians to do the grunt work of sawing, hammering, lifting, hanging. In many companies, no experience is necessary to serve in one of these roles as you will be taught on the job. Often, actors serve in these roles when they aren't needed in rehearsal.

Master Painter
The Master Painter is responsible for painting set elements under the direction of the set designer, but often the Master Painter has the freedom to choose many of the design elements him/herself.

Set Decorator
This person is responsible for securing all items needed to decorate the set that are not considered to be stage properties. Key duties would be similar to Prop Manager/Master above, replacing the word "props" with "set pieces."

Lighting Designer
The lighting designer begins by reading the script to be produced noting the type of light it calls for in each scene. Designer and director share their ideas about how light could be used to enhance the production concept at their first meeting. Early meetings with the set designer are also important because the set and lighting designers must collaborate on how to achieve the desired "look" for the play. The plan for the set may influence the placement and direction of the necessary lighting instruments, so flagging any potential problems in this area as early as possible makes sense. Previous experience required. Read more here: https://aact.org/lighting-designer

Sound Designer
The sound designer plans and provides the sound effects in the play, including music from existing sources. In addition, a composer may write original music for the show. All the music and/or effects in a play considered as a whole make up the "soundscape." In addition to the sounds of the words spoken by the actors, a play may also call for sound effects to recreate lifelike noises or use music or abstract and unidentifiable sounds to support the drama. Read more here: https://aact.org/sound-designer

Sound Engineer
The sound engineer must take the sound design and ensure that it can be created in a given space. This involves selecting equipment to reproduce the various sound elements required, installing and testing it, and usually running the actual show.

House Manager
The house manager schedules, trains, and supervises the ushers, who take tickets and lead patrons to their seats. This means making sure that ushers have a sense of the seating scheme, so that they can lead patrons to their seats in the quickest possible way. Some ushers may be assigned to hand out programs. Ushers must also be made familiar with the latecomers policy. The house manager makes sure that ushers have whatever supplies are needed to their job, such as a flashlights.

Social Media Marketing Specialist
Expert understanding of various social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook and Instagram. Ultimately, you should be able to handle a social media presence ensuring high levels of web traffic and customer engagement while maintaining a positive image for Lake Country Playhouse.