WAYS TO GET INVOLVED – WITH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, MICHELLE STURM

Springfield Little Theatre is a volunteer driven community theatre and volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization. I sat down with Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Sturm to talk about what volunteering is like at the historic Landers Theatre.

Shannon: The Landers Theatre is always bustling with so many fun shows and events. What are some of the ways you can volunteer at the Landers Theatre?

Michelle: We have a lot of different ways to volunteer. You can help during the day with set construction and painting, cleaning and organizing, costumes and that doesn’t even have to include sewing, craft projects, hanging posters around town, there’s so many ways.

S: So many different ways to get involved! If someone wants to come and work with the set or props, do they have to have specific knowledge about that task such as how to use a drill, or experience with painting professionally?

M: No, not at all. No experience necessary. We have people that come in and know a little bit about this or that and Chuck (the theatre’s technical director) will sit and work with them and gage their skill level and say, okay, I can give you a project that involves this. You know, everyone can pick up a paint brush!

S: So it’s safe to say that all skill levels are encouraged to come volunteer.

M: Definitely.

S: Is there an age range that you’re looking for, or a minimum required age to volunteer?

M: Typically for set construction early teens. We’ve had some younger kids that were good as well. We have younger kids as young as elementary volunteering as ushers during the show. It also depends on the show and how hard the projects are. There are certainly projects that all ages can do. The SpongeBob Musical we had kids as young as 3 years old helping with props! There are projects that can be done by all ages, just depending on the show and the department in which you want to volunteer.

S: Does volunteering for SLT (Springfield Little Theatre) mean specifically coming into the Landers Theatre and working on site?

M: No, not always. We have things you can take home, sometimes. Costume kits, sometimes props. Hanging posters is always something you can do on your own time.

S: What kind of availability is someone required to have as far as hours when they come to the Landers to volunteer?

M: Most of the time we work during the day with volunteers, usually 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with set and props. Sometimes when we get closer to opening a show we’ll have an evening volunteer calls, and sometimes weekends.

S: You mentioned a volunteer call. How would someone in the community find out about these calls for volunteers?

M: The costume show has their own Facebook group page (SLT’s Costume Shop Volunteers) that they will put out calls. You would find it on our Facebook page (Live At The Landers Theatre), If you want to usher or work front of house during a show you can call the box office and sign up over the phone.

S: Why volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre?

M: It’s such a great organization that brings so much to the community. It feels so great to be a part that and to help support the arts. It’s fun! It really is just fun to be here (at the Landers) and be around all of these fun people.

S: It really is fun! Last question, because I get asked this a lot. If someone volunteers at the Landers, do they get a ticket to the show they worked on?

M: Yes! Ushers see the show for free. We give you a comp ticket to see the show if you helped in some way.

S: Thank you for sitting down with me, Michelle. I hope people will be emailing you like crazy to volunteer!

M: Absolutely!

 

There are so many great ways to volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre at the Landers Theatre. A few I’d like to mention that was not talked about in this interview include working backstage during a show, and general office work. Working on a show crew is a larger commitment usually for the run of the show, but so much fun and there are so many different areas to work backstage. The business office at the Landers is also a great way to get involved helping with general office work. To get involved in any area of volunteering at the Landers you can email Michelle at [email protected] or call the Landers box office for more information at 417-869-1334.

 

See you at the show!