Volunteer Performance & Production Positions
Various Volunteer Performance & Production Positions
Hours: 10 – 20 monthly
Dates: January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2023
Background
ChatterBox Theatre Society has been dedicated to delivering a meaningful theatrical experience to young audiences through interaction and humour. We aim to teach children positive values and offer them support in all stages of their development. In addition, we strive to build a stronger community by encouraging public engagement and dialogue, while nurturing and promoting our local artists.
What Do We Do?
ChatterBox Theatre provides positive and interactive theatrical experiences for children in the community. Our purpose is not only to create unique and enjoyable productions, but also teach children concepts of feelings and how they influence the world around them.
Apart from the education and entertainment of our unique plays, we also offer support for the local artistic community by creating development opportunities for young performers. We also help connect the public with emerging artists, offering space for exhibitions and periodic events.
Why Should You Volunteer For This Opportunity?
ChatterBox Theatre Society is a grass roots non-profit organization about to embark on a period of significant growth. We need your passion and expertise in shaping that for the future! Our volunteers are very committed and passionate, and help ensure successful outcomes of programs. Upon successful completion of the volunteer role or project, you can use us as a reference for your future roles. Volunteer hours may be used for maintaining your professional designation and/or program studies.
How to Apply
We encourage interested and qualified candidates to review the job descriptions below. Please send a brief email explaining why this is an opportunity you are passionate about, as well as your resume and brief biography to hr@chatterboxtheatresociety.com.
You may apply for multiple positions on one email. Include the subject line: Title of Position (s) in your email.
To learn more about ChatterBox Theatre Society, or to donate to our cause, please visit chatterboxtheatresociety.com.
Professional Positions
Artistic Director
The artistic director will oversee the performance of one or more theatrical plays within the organization’s annual production program, which is developed by the program director. Shows will address complex social issues and may include topics like bullying, gender inequality, peer pressure, trust, and more. Using humour and a safe environment, that includes parents/guardians in the audience, they will guide theatre performers in performing with children to help them increase their confidence and creativity. They will lead the performance and production team of that play, comprised of theatre performers, script & story writers, costume designers, and others.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Establish the production schedule for the play and ensure enough volunteers are available.
- Support a recognizable artistic identity or brand for the organization through productions.
- Lead theatre performers through rehearsals and additional training to build skills in acting, improvisation, theatrics production, interaction with children, ethics, and teamwork.
- Read and understand scripts, offer or direct cues, and lead the performance and production team to create memorable shows for the audience that they will enjoy.
- Support theatre performers in interpreting the work of the script writer.
- Provide direction to theatre performers on how to convey characters with special personality traits and emotions to connect with the audience and foster learnings within the story.
- Incorporate humour into roles through speech, gesture, and body movements to entertain or inform the audience about the social issue(s) being portrayed in the play.
- Provide feedback on the reactions of a character within a particular social situation.
- Encourage audience participation for an optimal theatrical experience.
- Ensure costumes are properly maintained and that the costume designer is aware of any deficiencies that need to be addressed.
- Ensure all props and equipment are handled with care before, during and after performances.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Demonstrated leadership skills with leading and coaching teams to successful outcomes, with a strong preference for theatre, music, dance, or related experience.
- Creative or artistic skills in directing, producing, story/script writing, stage management, professional acting, choreography, stage set design, costume design, music, dancing, lighting, etc.
- Previous experience teaching theatrical improvisation to others considered an asset.
- Previous involvement with theatre productions to share stories and connect with audience members on an emotional level considered an asset.
- Ability to collaborate with other team members to achieve desired outcomes that support the mission of the organization.
- Strong problem-solving skills to improvise when technical challenges arise during shows.
- Strong work ethic and passionate commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.
- Willingness to teach new techniques related to theatre, performance, voice, and dance.
- Strong communication skills to cultivate community and audience connections.
- Friendly, professional demeanor and considered approachable by others they interact with.
- Strong organizational and process-driven skills, with an excellent follow-through on actions
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated work, school or volunteer experience or knowledge in theatrical or other artistic performances with audiences.
- Diploma or bachelor’s degree in fine arts.
- Bringing a network of potential collaborators would be considered an asset.
- Passionate interest in theatre and education of the fine arts in the Calgary community.
- Legally entitled to volunteer in Canada, with the ability to meet volunteer screening requirements (e.g. criminal check, including a vulnerable sector verification).
- Class 5 driver’s license considered an asset.
- Experience working with non-profit organizations considered an asset.
Program Director
The program director will create the performance and production schedule for the year and develop the organization’s production program by proposing shows to the board that could be performed during the season. The shows will address complex social issues and may include topics like bullying, gender inequality, peer pressure, trust, and more. Using humour and a safe environment, that includes parents/guardians in the audience, they will guide theatre performers in performing with children to help them increase their confidence and creativity. They will lead the overall performance and production team, comprised of the artistic director, theatre performers, script and story writers, costume designers, and others. They will oversee the theatrical development, catering to the audience, while still bringing forward new and interesting performances.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Plan and implement the annual production program, choosing social themes to explore.
- Establish the production schedule for the season and ensure enough volunteers are available.
- Develop a recognizable artistic identity or brand for the organization through productions.
- Partner with the marketing and communications, and fundraising managers to align on decisions affecting performances, events, etc.
- Promote ChatterBox Theatre Society productions within the community, through interviews, posts on social media platforms, etc.
- Collaborate with the board and other organizations and groups within the community to build partnerships and enhance sponsorship activities to increase participant involvement.
- Invite existing and new theatre partners to get involved with special events being organized.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Demonstrated leadership skills with leading and coaching teams to successful outcomes, with a strong preference for theatre, music, dance, or related experience.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Strong networking and communication skills to establish private and professional networks that recognize the benefits of investing resources in the organization and its mission.
- Ability to collaborate with other team members to achieve desired outcomes that support the mission of the organization.
- Strong problem-solving skills to improvise when technical challenges arise during shows.
- Strong work ethic and passionate commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.
- Strong communication skills to cultivate community and audience connections.
- Ability and confidence in telling a compelling story about the organization that others believe in.
- Friendly, professional demeanor and considered approachable by others they interact with.
- Strong organizational and process-driven skills, with an excellent follow-through on actions.
Qualifications:
- Demonstrated work, school or volunteer experience or knowledge in theatrical or other artistic performances with audiences.
- Diploma or bachelor’s degree in fine arts or related discipline.
- Bringing a network of potential collaborators would be considered an asset.
- Passionate interest in theatre and education of the fine arts in the Calgary community.
- Legally entitled to volunteer in Canada, with the ability to meet volunteer screening requirements (e.g. criminal check, including a vulnerable sector verification).
- Class 5 driver’s license considered an asset.
- Experience working with non-profit organizations considered an asset.
Website Developer
The website developer will be responsible for refreshing and designing the layout of the ChatterBox Theatre Society website according to company specifications. Using their combined graphic design skills and technical computer skills, they will create designs on web pages that are both functional and secure. Once the website has been refreshed, the website developer will assist with the maintenance and upkeep of the website.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Understand the annual marketing and communications strategy to support website development that will help attract users to the platform.
- Research audience preferences and understand current website trends to ensure maximum effectiveness in customer/donor engagement.
- Use approved marketing and communications materials and branding to use on the company’s website to promote the mission and cause.
- Create page layouts (headings and paragraphs), website styling (colours and fonts), and page features (animations and pictures) that help increase website traffic.
- Review prototypes of the web pages with senior management for approval prior to publishing to the website.
- Complete coding, design, and layout of the website according to the company’s specifications.
- Ensure interactive features, such as submitting online payments or donations through the website, are performing optimally and securely.
- Partner with the graphic designer and social media coordinator to use social media and other technology platforms to maximize communication efforts and activities on the website.
- Monitor website traffic and leverage search engine optimization (SEO) to increase efficiency.
- Troubleshoot website problems and maintain the website by ensuring website features do not disrupt the day-to-day operations of the company.
Skills & Knowledge:
- Knowledge in building and updating professionally designed web pages in Squarespace.
- Skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or other relevant web design coding languages.
- Strong attention to detail and troubleshooting skills, to ensure coding does not have a significant impact on the website’s functionality or appearance.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
- Self-starter, who is motivated by achieving website development goals for the organization.
- Strong organizational and process-driven skills, with an excellent follow-through on actions.
- Strong work ethic and passionate commitment to advancing the mission of the organization.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating with other team members to achieve desired outcomes that support the mission of the organization.
- Friendly, professional demeanor and considered approachable by others they interact with.
Qualifications:
- Two to five years demonstrated work or volunteer experience in developing websites, preferably on a Squarespace platform.
- Diploma or bachelor’s degree in web design, computer programming, computer science, graphic design, or equivalent self-taught experience.
- Certifications or online courses taken in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, or other coding languages.
- Desire to learn how to develop compelling websites that drive website traffic and engagement.
- Passionate interest in theatre and education of the fine arts in the Calgary community.
- Legally entitled to volunteer in Canada, with the ability to meet volunteer screening requirements (e.g. criminal check, including a vulnerable sector verification).
