LEARN ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Front-of-House

  • Ushers greet the public, assist with Will Call, verify digital tickets, help patrons find their seats, and hand out programs.

  • We are always in need of help running our concession counter/merchandise area during productions. As patrons purchase food and beverage, we want them to have as good of an experience in our lobby as they do in their seats.

    Having an ABC license is recommended, but not required for all positions. Volunteers who serve alcohol must be ABC certified.

  • The House Manager position is available at every CTC performance. They should be able to make sure the front-of-house area is operating smoothly and answer questions for guests. When in doubt, the House Manager should be able to make judgment calls but also have confidence that a CTC staff member is just a phone call away for more difficult issues or concerns.

Backstage

  • This is the perfect opportunity to learn and experience what happens behind the scenes of a theatrical production. Crew members are responsible for any special effects needed from backstage in addition to changing the set between scenes and during intermission. Running crew is also used to set props both backstage and onstage before and during performances. This is a great way to be a part of the exciting live performance without being on stage.

    Time Requirement: 6 evening rehearsals approximately one week prior to opening and all performances. (Sometimes we are able to split this between two people)

  • This is the right hand of the director. During rehearsals, the stage manager keeps a record of all the movements on the stage, a running list of anything added that is not in the script, prompts the actors with their lines during rehearsals, and assists the director in creating rehearsal schedules and calendars. During performances, the stage manager calls show cues and makes sure the show runs smoothly. The stage manager is also responsible for coordinating locking up after performances with the House Manager.

    Time Requirement: 5 or 6 days per week for 8 weeks of rehearsal for approximately 3 hours per day and 12 performances.

    Duties and time commitment can vary slightly by production.

  • The light board operator is the person in charge of running the computerized lighting console. This person works directly with the stage manager to ensure all of the lighting cues are executed on time. Training on how to use the light board will be provided. It is as simple as the push of a button!

    Time Requirement: 6 evening rehearsals approximately one week prior to opening and all performances.

  • Spotlight operators control movable lighting fixtures to follow various actors on stage. They sit in a catwalk above the audience and should be comfortable with heights. This is a great job for our younger volunteers. Ages 14 and older will be considered.

    Time Requirement: 6 evening rehearsals approximately one week prior to opening and all performances. (Sometimes we are able to split this between two people)

Daytime Volunteer Opportunities

  • Keeping everything in order in such a busy theatre is crucial. We’re always looking for good people willing to roll up their sleeves and clean a little or paint a little, etc. Give as much time as your schedule allows. Time Requirement: Flexible, often weekday hours, but some weekend and evenings available.

  • Volunteers who enjoy building props, painting, or crafting are great for this area! These volunteers assist with constructing and painting the set. Set construction is a great place to learn some basic carpentry and painting skills.

    Time Requirement: Normally weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, in addition to special evening or weekend workdays

  • Costume volunteers are instrumental in building costumes as well as putting finishing touches on projects. Anyone who can sew or craft—from simple alterations to full-scale constructions—can easily become involved. Give as much time as your schedule allows.

    Time Requirement: Flexible, often weekday hours, but some weekend and evenings available

  • We frequently have a need for volunteers to assist in the front office. For example: stuffing envelopes, making copies, filing, or organizing.

    Tasks and time commitments vary. However, the office is usually open from 8AM-5PM.

If you are interested in any of the volunteer opportunities mentioned above, submit an inquiry using this form, and we will contact you shortly!

You can also see some of our FAQ for volunteers by clicking here.

Chattanooga Theatre Centre abides by a Code of Conduct to ensure safety for all our volunteers, staff, and patrons. Prior to volunteering, please scroll down to read our Code of Conduct.

Setting the Standard

Our Code of Conduct

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is committed to providing a healthy and respectful environment for every volunteer. We have created the following Code of Conduct to meet this commitment and provide you with a reference guide for appropriate behavior and processes during your involvement with the CTC.

To ensure a safe environment, all of us must:

  • Know misconduct when we see it.

  • Know what to do when we experience or observe it.

  • Create a safe and supportive environment for people to share their concerns and experiences.

  • Communicate and maintain effective reporting processes.

What are the expectations?

The activities outlined below are strictly prohibited:

  • Actual or threatened intimidation, denigration, violence, bullying, or harassment (verbal, physical, or online/digital) of any volunteer, employee, contractor, or patron.

  • Sexual or gender-based harassment of any kind. This includes unwelcome advances, verbal or non-verbal actions, non-consensual physical contact, and intentionally mis-gendering or dead-naming (calling a transgender person by a former/pre-transition name) another volunteer, employee, contractor, patron, or guest of the CTC.

  • The use of abusive or offensive language toward or in the proximity of any volunteer outside of the boundaries of consent related to the production content. This includes language, references, and jokes that are sexual or racist or bigoted in nature.

  • Possession of dangerous, unauthorized, or illegal materials such as explosives, firearms or other weapons, illegal drugs, or other similar items on the CTC’s property.

  • Stealing, destroying, or damaging CTC property, or attempting to do so.

  • Endangering the life, safety, health, or well-being of any volunteer, Patron, or Staff Member. This may include interaction beyond the theatre property and will be handled at the discretion of the Executive Director and/or Board of Directors.

  • Any conduct on or beyond the CTC property that could damage one’s ability to fulfill one’s obligation to the CTC. This includes coming to CTC functions under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Taking or distributing photographs or videos of rehearsals or performances, backstage or onstage, without the consent of persons being photographed or videotaped. No photos should be taken in the dressing rooms or changing areas at any time.

  • Failure to follow any policy, procedure, or expectation as set by the CTC Board of Directors. This includes behaving with disrespect toward staff, production leaders, and educators, or failing to meet commitments.

This Code of Conduct establishes minimum standards and by no means covers every contingency. We expect our volunteers, employees, contractors, patrons, and guests to treat others with respect and in a manner in which others expect to be treated.

How to Report an Incident

The CTC is committed to providing every volunteer with an effective reporting process to confidentially communicate their concerns, experiences, and observations concerning the CTC and any violations of the Code of Conduct.

Volunteers must report an incident if they are the victim of misconduct, and volunteers must report an incident if they are a witness to misconduct. Retaliation against anyone who reports a violation of the Code of Conduct will not be tolerated.

Volunteers (cast and crew) are expected to communicate and report violations and concerns to the Director or Stage Manager during the rehearsal period or the run of a production.

Front-of-House volunteers should communicate and report violations and concerns to the House Manager, Volunteer Coordinator, or Box Office Manager during or immediately after a performance.

Should a situation arise that cannot or should not be handled by these individuals (for example, if the Director or Stage Manager is involved in the incident of concern), volunteers are entitled to report incidents and concerns first to the Business Manager (jeff@theatrecentre.com), second to the Executive Director (rodney@theatrecentre.com), and third to the President of the Board of Directors (board@theatrecentre.com). An email may also be sent to confidential@theatrecentre.com if the situation is not appropriate for the aforementioned individuals to handle or if the volunteer is not comfortable reporting incidents to an individual person.

What happens if these expectations are not followed?

The CTC expects our volunteers to act according to the rules, guidelines, and standards set forth in this Code of Conduct. Behavior contrary to these rules, guidelines, and standards will not be tolerated and will be addressed promptly, in confidence, and in accordance with standards of due process.

Any participant who violates this Code of Conduct is subject to discipline, up to and including removal from an existing production or activity they are participating in and/or probation or barring from future involvement related to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

If a violation constitutes a violation of the law, that violation may also result in referral to legal authorities.