Volunteers are the lifeblood of the community theater. Listed below are descriptions of many of the types of volunteers always needed at the Purchase Players Community Performing Arts Center. Please download, fill out, and send in our Volunteer Form if you find an area that interests you.

• Box Office

These volunteers work in the box office to help sell tickets, answer telephone calls and provide information.

• Ushers

Volunteer ushers/ticket takers are needed for each performance. Ushers come to the theater approximately forty five minutes before the performance and show people to their seats. Ushers also help straighten up the theater after each performance.  No previous experience is necessary; however these volunteers should enjoy greeting and working with the public.
 

• Concessions

Volunteer concessions workers are needed for each performance. Concessions workers come to the theater approximately forty five minutes before the performance and ice down the drinks and start the popcorn. No previous experience is necessary; however these volunteers should enjoy greeting and working with the public.
 

• Actors

Open auditions are held prior to every Purchase Players CPAC production. Previous acting experience is not required. Actors must attend all rehearsals and performances. The Purchase Players CPAC does not use understudies.
 

• Stage Manager

The volunteer in this position serves as an assistant to the director, supervising the cast and crew during technical rehearsals and during performances. The stage manager calls the sound and light cues and keeps in touch with the director during performances. The stage manager is expected to attend all rehearsals and must be present for every performance. The stage manager has many other responsibilities; including recording the director's blocking, giving line cues for early rehearsals off book, and being present at pick-up rehearsals.

 

• Lighting Technician

Volunteers are needed to hang lighting instruments, cut gels and focus lights. During performances lighting technicians run the follow spot lights and the lighting control board in the booth and are responsible for executing the lighting cues. The lighting technicians are expected to be present at all technical rehearsals and performances. Previous experience is not necessary, but lighting technicians must be trained on the theater’s lighting equipment.
 

• Sound Technician

The volunteer sound technician runs the computer sound software for each performance and works in the booth during performances to play sound for the show; including sound effects and music. The sound technician is expected to be at all technical rehearsals and all performances. Previous experience is not necessary, but the sound technician must be trained on the theater's sound equipment.
 

• Properties Master

The volunteer props master works with the director in deciding what props will be used. This may involve pulling props from our storage and/or locating props elsewhere. The props master is also in charge of gathering a props crew to work during performances to maintain and organize props, pre-set them for actors, change them between scenes, and put them away after performances. The props master is also responsible for making certain that props are returned to the proper place after the production closes.
 

• Properties Crew

The volunteer props crew need not have previous backstage experience. They are expected to come for rehearsals during technical rehearsal week and for performances. This is an ideal position to get to know the theater and how its backstage operations work.
 

• Costume Designer and Crew

Costume volunteers work with the costume designer creating new and altering existing costumes. Help may be needed in the form of sewing, distressing or dyeing fabric, fitting or finishing, or decorating hats and shoes.
 

• Set Construction and Painting

Any number of volunteers is needed to help build sets for our performances. No special skills are necessary and most tools and equipment are provided.

• Other Volunteer Positions

Many other volunteer positions are available at the Purchase Players CPAC, including running errands, mailings, filing, special event support, etc.