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. Volunteers who contribute substantial time are also eligible to sing with our May Revels chorus in the spring!

To get started, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form [MS Word] and email it to us at: volunteeer@revelsdc.org

If you have questions, please contact us at 301-587-3835 or send an email to volunteeer@revelsdc.org

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 upstairs.

Please Note: In 2009, the work parties will start on Wednesday, October 7, at the Washington Revels' new home at 531 Dale Drive in Silver Spring <view map>, a 15-minute walk from the Metro or a 5-minute trip on the #15 Ride-On bus.

Publicity Crew

Help us promote the 2009 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 Chris Payton at: cpayton@revelsdc.org or 301-587-3835.

Development and Fundraising

Conduct research on opportunities for grants and sponsorships. Assist with writing proposals. Help with donor development and relations. Help create and manage online and silent auctions (solicitations, item descriptions and pricing, promotional materials). Assist with transition to a new database system (data entry and manipulation). Help plan and run special events and fundraisers. For more information, contact Karen Schofield-Leca at: kschofield@revelsdc.org or 301-587-3835.

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!

Hair Crew

The hair crew assists the chorus, and sometimes the principal actors, to prepare their hair styles based on instructions from the hair designer. Training is provided but having some knowledge of hair is encouraged. If you are unsure whether or not this would be a good fit for you, please ask. Interest and energy are more important than experience. You will need to attend a training session on Sunday, November 29, as this will be a small crew. You will also need to attend most of the Lisner week rehearsals as well as a minimum commitment of three shows (committing to more performances is encouraged to help with consistency for the chorus.) There may be some checks and adjustments that will need to happen at intermission, but you will get the chance to see the vast majority of the show.

Wardrobe Crew

Wardrobe Crew members help the chorus 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 1-2 performances 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.
• Helpers at weekend rehearsals: fetching, carrying, taking notes.
• Education assistants for our new education programs starting in January 2010.

See the Volunteer Interest Form for many more ways to be involved!