Summer Events Need Your Help: A Call for Volunteers - Shakespeare on the Shoreline

Shakespeare on the Shoreline
August and Shoreline Arts Alliance brings the 13th annual Shakespeare on the Shoreline production and ‘theatre under the stars’ to the Guilford Green.  Today, like boating, baseball and barbecues, Shakespeare on the Shoreline is the most popular and well recognized cultural mainstay of the community, drawing crowds from all over the area with its engaging, entertaining, and educational performances (according to the Wall Street Journal).


The 2014 season features the renowned Shakesperience Productions, Inc. of Waterbury, CT presenting this summer’s main stage performance of King Lear.  Shakesperience leads a highly trained theatrical troupe which employs the Shakesperience Approach.  This Approach blends artistry, positive behavior, interactivity, and business sense into a singular voice of leadership, thought and action, onstage and off.  Their productions are always family-friendly and provide opportunity for conversation about topics and subject matter that enhance family dynamics.  Performances are August 6 – 10.

Read below for the many volunteer opportunities in and around the Shakespeare performances.  Call the Shoreline Arts Alliance office at 203-453-3890 or email donita@shorelinearts.org to sign up or for more information.

Set Construction: The volunteer will work directly with the Managing Director and technical crew to build and paint the stage, sets and lighting towers.  Work days will be July 30, August 1, August 4, 5, & 6. No prior experience necessary.  Tech crew will provide instruction and supervision.

Housing:  Host families are needed to provide accomodations for members of the cast and crew from Monday, August 4 until Monday, August 11.  Cast and crew are responsible for their meals and transportation.  A great opportunity to show Guilford’s hospitality and to get to know the actors and technical crew.

Ushers: Volunteers are needed to assist in escorting audience to seating areas (especially those with special needs) for the pre and post show discussions and for the main production; to distribute playbills; collect surveys; take donations at intermission; assist in escorting those with special needs to their vehicles at the end of the show. In-service nightly at 5:45pm.  Volunteers may offer services for pre-show events, post-show events, intermission or all of the above.

Information Booth Assistant: One volunteer per evening is needed to assist in the Shoreline Arts Alliance information booth from 6pm until 10pm. In-service nightly at 5:45pm

Set Breakdown: Volunteers will work with the Sound and Lighting crew and the managing director to breakdown the set.  Help is needed Sunday night, August 10 at the close of the show and during the day on Monday, August 11. No prior experience required.  Tech crew will provide instruction and supervision.

Stage Hands: Jobs will vary based on the theatre company's needs. Volunteer needed nightly from Tuesday, August 5 through the close of the show August 10.  This is a great opportunity for a high school theatre student to learn 'behind the scenes' work.