children's theatre of elgin / fox valley theatre company

We love our family volunteers! Our organization relies on our amazing team of volunteers that help make every show come to life. From box office, to set painting, to publicity, there’s something for everyone! Interested in learning more about volunteering? Contact us at 847-214-7152 or office@cteelgin.com! All purchases made by committee members for a CTE/FVTC production are fully reimbursed by CTE.

Box Office

What does the committee do? This committee helps handle box office sales, patron questions about tickets, and redeeming tickets on show days. Committee members are stationed in lobby with a laptop and a cash box for day-of-show sales one hour prior to show time. They also get a CTE Square card reader for credit card sales, which connects to their phone via Bluetooth. 
What is the time commitment? 1-2 hours for training prior to show week, as well as working 2-3 shows. Committee members arrive 1 hour prior to curtain to set up, and stay until intermission. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chair makes sure all necessary equipment is provided and stored securely, and cash is stored securely after each performance. They also work with the Director of Operations to make sure everyone is trained on the ticket platform, and set up to take sales on the Square card reader.

House Management

What does the committee do? This committee hands out playbills, assists patrons in finding their seats, answers patron questions, and assists with handicap seating. They also serve to promote audience etiquette, assist late comers in being seated during an appropriate moment in the show, and open and shut auditorium doors.
What is the time commitment? 1 hour for a meeting during show week, and 2-4 shows, arriving 30-45 minutes early and staying through the entire show.
Committee chair responsibilities: The chair makes sure each show is adequately staffed with committee members, provides lanyards and flashlights (provided by CTE or can be purchased and submitted for reimbursement), and serves as a liaison between house management and the producer if concerns or issues arise. 

Tech

What does the committee do? Committee members place microphones on performers before and during the show, remove microphones after the show, and prep the microphones for the next performance. They also assist with spotlights, and with other backstage tasks during the show as needed. No prior experience is needed. 
What is the time commitment? At least one night during tech week (typically 5 pm-9 pm) for training and 2-4 shows depending on the size of the tech committee, arriving at performer call time (90 minutes prior to show time), and staying through the entire show. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chair ensures performances are adequately staffed with committee members, assists the sound technician with the microphone map, and ensures microphone tape and batteries are purchased prior to tech week.

Set Building

What does the committee do? The primary responsibility of members of this committee is to build a theater set according to the plans and vision of the producer/ director. Materials are provided by CTE. The building takes place at a set barn located on the west side of Elgin and then the set gets transported to the theater the Sunday before opening night. Set building committee members are responsible for set construction, transportation, assembly on stage, disassembly, and transport back to the barn after the final show. A truck is provided by CTE or a cast family member.
What is the time commitment? The hours spent are dependent upon the size of the committee. Typically, this committee meets three times a week until the set is completed. Once it is completed, and the committee has helped load it in, duties are done until it is time to load it out and transport it back.
Committee chair responsibilities: The role of the committee chair is to communicate closely with the set designer, director, and producer on set design. They are in charge of set move-in, set up, and take-down, and follow up with committee members to make sure enough hands are on deck for load-in and load-out. 

Props

What does the committee do? This committee provides props for each CTE/FVTC show, either by gathering items already owned by CTE, purchasing new props, or creating custom props for the production.
What is the time commitment? The props committee is responsible for being at every tech rehearsal (the week before opening night) and at each performance. Not all committee members will be needed at every show. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The committee chair will meet with the director and go through the script, creating a list of props that the characters will need. The chair is also responsible for ensuring all necessary props are procured, and that each tech rehearsal and show is adequately staffed.

Concessions

What does the committee do? This committee is responsible for setting up concessions, selling before, during, and after each show, and cleanup afterward. The concessions committee usually sells CTE merchandise, water, chips, popcorn, candy, and other assorted treats, along with Candy Grams, which are the personalized boxes of candy with a trinket attached that are delivered to cast members during the shows.
What is the time commitment? Committee members do not need to attend any rehearsals but will usually need to work 2-3 shows, which means members will not be able to watch the shows they are assigned to work. No prior experience is needed. 

Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson is responsible for reaching out to all committee members, creating the work schedule, purchasing/obtaining all concessions and supplies, overseeing setup and cleanup before and after each show, and maintaining the cash box. Coolers for water and other drinks are provided by committee members.

Cast Management

What does the committee do? This committee makes sure all cast participants are safe, supervised, and where they need to be during rehearsals and performances. The cast management committee also supervises the backstage area and makes sure that no unauthorized persons are backstage. 
What is the time commitment? It depends on the size of the committee, and the size of the cast, but an average is twice a week during rehearsal, and then a few nights during tech and 2-3 shows. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson’s main responsibility is to make the schedule and ensure that each rehearsal and performance is adequately staffed. The chair works with the producer to find out how many separate rehearsal spaces are being used each night, and then assigns committee members to work those shifts.

Set Painting

What does the committee do? This committee works on painting and finishing the set during and after it is built. This committee is sometimes combined with the set building committee. 
What is the time commitment? It depends on the size of the committee, but members usually meet around 3 nights per week until the set is complete. They are needed during load-in, as sometimes sets are easier to paint after they are assembled onstage, and damage does occur during the move and some touch-ups are necessary. They are not needed during performances. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson is responsible for reaching out to all committee members, creating the work schedule, purchasing/obtaining the paint and supplies (fully reimbursed by CTE), and overseeing the bulk of the work. The chair works with the director, producer, set designer, and set building committee chair to understand the exact needs for the set.

Publicity

What does the committee do? This committee helps make sure that the community knows about the show! Duties include distributing fliers and posters, promoting the show on social media, and seeking out opportunities at community events to promote the show.
What is the time commitment? Members should spend a few hours putting up fliers around the Elgin and surrounding areas, as well as consistently spend time posting on social media. Members should plan on staffing at least one community event promoting the show. This committee is not needed during tech week or performances, except to keep promoting the show in the above ways. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson distributes posters, fliers, and car magnets to each cast member. They should make a list of places to post fliers and assign committee members to those places or areas. They should watch the CTE/FVTC social media accounts closely and share posts promoting the show. 

Cast Party

What does the committee do? This committee organizes a party or gathering for the cast during load-out and strike, immediately after the last performance. This committee also provides adult supervision during that party, while parent volunteers are helping to take apart the set. Utensils, plates, drinks, and food should be purchased by committee members, and then reimbursed by CTE.
What is the time commitment? Committee members should start setting up during the last performance, and stay until load-out is complete. 
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson is responsible for purchasing all materials, communicating with the producer ahead of time to make sure the room is set up properly, and making sure everything is cleaned up when the party is done. 

Hair and Make up

What does the committee do? Members of this committee work with the director to identify all hair and makeup needs for each character, including a standard to which ensemble members need to adhere. Committee members procure or create headpieces and make sure to have enough makeup for the show’s needs. During tech week and performances, they help cast members apply their makeup and put on their wigs. as well as make sure that each ensemble member adheres to hair and makeup standards set by the director.
What is the time commitment? 1-2 hours to meet and plan for each character’s needs. The time involved can vary greatly from show to show (for example, a play set in a fantasy world requires more make-up responsibilities than a play set in a high school). Then, the committee members should split up responsibilities for procuring makeup and wigs. This committee is needed during tech week and all performances – if there are enough people on this committee, these can be split into shifts.
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson is responsible for leading the committee, keeping track of all materials that are needed, and answering questions. The chair should communicate frequently with the director and costume designer to ensure a unified artistic vision. 

Costumes

What does the committee do? Members of this committee work with the director and costume designer to identify all costume needs for each character. Committee members procure or create costumes for each character. During tech week and performances, they help cast members put on their costumes if necessary, as well as mend any tears, rips, etc that may happen. Sewing experience is preferred. 
What is the time commitment? 1-2 hours to meet and plan for each character’s needs with the costume designer.  The committee meets multiple times a week to sew, alter, and organize costumes. This committee is needed during tech week and all performances – if there are enough people on this committee, these can be split into shifts.
Committee chair responsibilities: The chairperson is responsible for leading the committee, keeping track of all materials that are needed, ensuring that all costumes are finished in time, and answering questions from committee members. The chair should communicate frequently with the director and producer to ensure a unified artistic vision.