CREW POSITIONS

Actors alone do not a theater make!  We need you! 

Do you know that all of our backstage positions are filled by volunteers just like you?  No matter what your chosen career, if you can help to move set pieces, locate or create props, or sew trim on a costume, we could use your help. 

The official reward for volunteering your time to one of our productions is fun and the satisfaction of teamwork.  Come and get involved—become part of the volunteer team at Theatre Harrisburg! 

To better acquaint you with some of the backstage volunteer positions available, click the on the Position in which you have interest and you’ll see short descriptions of the position and a photo of someone working in that position.

The description also includes some information about the degree of experience necessary (NONE-ENTRY LEVEL; SOME; MUCH) and the time commitment involved (LOW = a few hours at a time, over a few nights or weekends; MODERATE = a few hours at a time over several weeks; and HIGH = several hours most nights and weekends for 6-8 weeks

We hope this additional information helps you decide on the position that suits you.  If you have other talents not described on these pages, send us your information and how you want to contribute (your talent) and we’ll find a place for you.    

If you think any of these volunteer positions sounds like you—or you’re interested in other opportunities available, contact the Theater Office 717-232-5501, ext 24, or email our volunteer coordinator by clicking here.

• Required to attend all rehearsals and production meetings.
• Works with the director and cast during rehearsals to capture the show’s blocking (the actors’ essential movement in the show).
• Maintains general order and safety during the show’s rehearsal process and keeps the rehearsals organized.
• Participates in technical meeting (“paper tech”) with the artistic director, sound and lighting designers, and assistant stage manager(s) to outline the production technical and shift cues.
• Runs the technical rehearsals and every performance (calls the cues for the show).
• Maintains security for the Hurlock Street Production Center and Whitaker Center (locking and unlocking appropriate doors).
• THIS IS A POSITION REQUIRING A HIGH LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY—prior experience required = MUCH.
• HIGH time commitment.

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• Works closely with the artistic director and technical director manager to ensure the artistic director’s vision for the show is realized.
• Responsible for obtaining the technical crew for the show.
• Meets with both director(s) and appropriate backstage personnel to discuss the show’s needs and progress.
• Helps to coordinate crew volunteer rehearsal and production schedule, and post it.
• Works closely with the set crew chief(s) and assistant stage manager(s) to ensure the smooth running of the show.
• Makes time available in case a need arises to work a crew position for the show.
• Checks the progress of the show with the stage manager, assistant stage manager(s), and set crew chief(s).  Assists in resolving production issues as needed.
• Receives support and guidance from the Theatre Harrisburg Production Committee, as needed.
• THIS IS A POSITION WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY—Prior experience required = SOME.
• MODERATE-HIGH time commitment.

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• Assists stage manager during the last weeks of the rehearsal period (as needed), and during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Attends production meetings and technical meeting (“paper tech”) to receive production and shift cue information. 
• Provides communication between the stage manager, cast and crew during performances.
• Responsible for the backstage area during performances:
  • Oversees the crew
  • Maintains order in the backstage space and in the wings
  • Keeps the backstage area orderly and organized before, during, and after performances
• Responsible for relaying cue execution to the crew for scene shifts, and reports cue completion to the stage manager during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Prior experience required = SOME.
• MODERATE time commitment.

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• Consults with the artistic director and technical director about the sound requirements for the show.  Attends production meetings to discuss progress of sound design.
• Gathers/records appropriate sound effects for the show.
• Determines the appropriate place for onstage microphones and sets them up with the assistance of the technical director.
• Attends a technical meeting (“paper tech”) with the director, stage manager, lighting designer, and assistant stage manager(s) to discuss technical cues and placement in the show.
• Sets up a cue sheet/script for the sound operator as needed.
• Responsible for microphone assignments for musical productions.
• Prior experience required = SOME (Technical experience a plus).
• MODERATE time commitment.

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• Operates sound system in the theatre at Whitaker Center during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Works with computerized sound cue system to execute sound cues.
• Runs checks of sound effects and wireless microphones before each performance.
• Good entry-level position for someone with a technical background—prior experience required = SOME.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Meets with the producer and artistic director to determine makeup requirements for the production.
• Reviews Theatre Harrisburg’s makeup inventory and acquires any special makeup products (designs or creates specialty makeup appliances as needed, examples: mustache, scar, false nose.)
• Meets with actors prior to technical rehearsals to determine special makeup character requirements.
• Instructs actors during technical rehearsals and performances (as needed) on makeup application.
• After the show’s run, assists with replacement/clean up of makeup products to the Theatre Harrisburg makeup inventory.
• Prior experience required = SOME (experience with makeup for the theatre).
• LOW time commitment.

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• Meets with the director to obtain the production props list and to discuss the needs of the show.
• Coordinates with the technical director on the props budget and the procurement of specialty items.
• Provides rehearsal props for actors to use during the rehearsal period.
• Acquires, borrows or makes the essential props for the production using whatever resources are necessary (props room at the production center, external sources, etc.).
• Organizes placement of props and how they fit into the show.
• After the show’s run, returns all borrowed props and places the theatre props back in their places in the production center props storage area.
• Prior experience required = SOME.
• MODERATE time commitment.

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• Responsible for overseeing scenery changes.
• Coordinates and assists movement of drops, wagons, flats, and/or large set pieces.
• Assists in flying set pieces/drops in and out of scenes.
• Helps to assess production crew needs, and assigns crew personnel to specific shift duties.
• Helps to coordinate production crew schedule and develops shift cue sheets for use by the crew.
• Coordinates efforts with the assistant stage manager.
• Good entry-level position—prior experience required = SOME.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Attends a few rehearsals to become familiar with the show and the characters.
• Under guidance of the stage manager and lighting designer, operates spotlights during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Good entry level position—prior experience required = NONE.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Consults with producer, stage manager, and costumer on timing and place for costume changes.
• Works with actor to determine costume change requirements and the coordination/speed required for special costume changes.
• Assists actor with costume changes, preparation for dressing, and returning of costume to a dressing rack or dressing room.
• Assists with limited costume repairs during the run of the show.
• Good entry-level position—prior experience required = NONE.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Operates lighting system for the theatre at Whitaker Center during technical rehearsals and performances.
• Works with computerized light controls to complete lighting cues (No special computer skills are required).
• Runs checks of light controls before each performance.
• Good entry level position—prior experience required = NONE.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Assists the props chair by taking notes on needed props during rehearsals.
• Assists the props chair in obtaining rehearsal and performance props for the show.
• Responsible for props care and placement during performances.
• After the show’s run, assists the props chair in returning props.
• Good entry-level position—prior experience required = NONE.
• LOW time commitment.

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• Attends a few rehearsals to become familiar with the show and the set changes involved.
• Under guidance of the assistant stage manager(s) and/or set crew chief(s), completes scene shifts for technical rehearsals and performances (examples: move furniture onstage and offstage, move set pieces, set wagons, and sliders, fly scenery in and out).
• Note—this position is physical in nature.
• Good entry level position—prior experience required = NONE.
• LOW time commitment.

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