Volunteer
Volunteers are an integral part of our organization and play an important role in the success of our season. From June through September, our team of 300+ dedicated volunteers serve as ambassadors for the Festival by providing a high level of hospitality and a friendly, welcoming face to our patrons. Volunteers work in the Front of House area as Greeters, Ticket Takers or Ushers; in retail as Boutique or Concession Assistants and as Event Assistants. We also offer opportunities to volunteer year-round, in our administrative office and at community events. Volunteering is a great opportunity to further develop or learn new skills.
The Bard on the Beach volunteer program is committed to promoting an accessible, safe, inclusive, and diverse environment, in which people are brought together in their shared love of volunteering, Shakespeare, and the arts. We respect, value, and celebrate the diverse experiences of each person and actively encourage everyone to consider joining our team.
For more information or if you have any access needs, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Aleks Harrison, at [email protected].
Application Process
- Participate in a 15-minute interview with a member of our Operations team.
- Successful applicants attend an orientation day with our Operations team and returning volunteers (early April)
- Virtual training and information sessions take place over Zoom (April – May)
- Equity and Diversity training sessions in person and over Zoom (early May)
- Site orientation and in-person training sessions take place in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park (early June)
Requirements
- Bard Volunteers must be available from mid-May to mid-September. While we have volunteer opportunities throughout the year, this is when our season takes place and requires our full team of volunteers.
- You must be 16 years or older
- You must be able to work a minimum of 25 hours. It is our hope that volunteers will commit to the equivalent of one shift per week throughout the season. We have shifts ranging from 2 to 5 hours and scheduling is extremely flexible.
- A basic level of English is needed (knowledge of other languages is an asset!).
Benefits
- For every 25 hours completed, volunteers will receive a promo code for 2 tickets to the BMO Mainstage or 1 ticket to the Douglas Campbell Theatre.
- Access to dress rehearsals and discounted ticket pricing for select performances.
- Be a part of the Bard community! Volunteers are invited to attend special behind-the-scenes tours, Bard
- Explored lecture series, dress rehearsals and other community events. Volunteers also have access to additional training opportunities like Sighted Guide.
- Access to discounts at the Bard Concession and Boutique.
- Invitation to the annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner and the Closing Night Celebration.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Our aim is to make our volunteering opportunities accessible to the largest number of people possible. If you have concerns over accessibility requirements for volunteer positions, please contact us so that we can work together to accommodate you and have you as part of our team. Together we can assess if it is necessary to modify relevant positions, policies, or physical environments.
You would be a part of a welcoming and collaborative operations team that is deeply committed to upholding and practicing Bard’s Company Commitments.
We are committed to our Respectful Workplace Policies and believe it is extremely important that our volunteers are treated with respect by everyone, including patrons. Bard on the Beach does not tolerate any kind of abuse towards our volunteers.
During our season, some non-customer facing volunteer positions at off-peak times will become available with limited capacities.
For more information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Aleks Harrison, at [email protected] and the Operations Lead, Nathan Smith, at [email protected].
Volunteer Roles
Village Greeters
Village Greeters are a welcoming presence for the patrons on site. They direct patrons, help with crowd control, hand out programs and assist the Village Manager where needed.
Audience Services
Audience Services volunteers help to build relationships and enhance patrons’ experience at Bard by actively engaging with patrons and providing information they may need during their visit.
Special Requirements: A minimum of year’s volunteer experience with Bard on the Beach.
Ticket Takers
Ticket takers welcome patrons at the main entrance to the site. Ticket takers operate the ticket scanners, flag any ticket issues and direct patrons to the correct tent as they come through the gate.
Boutique Assistants
Boutique assistants work in our Boutique assisting customers in a fast-paced retail sales environment, tagging merchandise, and keeping the front of the store stocked and tidy.
Special Requirements: Must be comfortable with cash handling. Experience with cash, debit, and credit card transactions and operating an iPad-based POS system is an asset but not essential. Lifting of objects weighing 25lbs may be required.
Concession Server
Concession Servers will be partnered with a cashier and work together to ensure patrons get timely service. Servers will be responsible for handling alcohol and helping the cashier fill the order.
Special Requirements: Servers must be 19+ years of age. Must have the Special Event Server Certification or Serving it Right. If you don’t have either certification or are unable to obtain it, Bard on the Beach can assist.
Concession Cashier
The Concession Cashier is face to face with the patron and oversees taking and totaling up orders on the point of sales system. They work together with a server to fill orders in a timely manner.
Special Requirements: Servers must be 19+ years of age. Must be comfortable with cash handling. Experience with cash, debit, and credit card transactions and operating an iPad-based POS system is an asset but not essential. Must have the Special Event Server Certification or Serving it Right. If you don’t have either certification or are unable to obtain it, Bard on the Beach can assist.
Coffee Station Server
Volunteers in this role will be making coffee, monitoring self-serve coffee stations and emptying and cleaning the coffee urns at the end of the shift.
Usher
Ushers ensure the safety and comfort of our patrons inside the performance tents as well as upon entering and leaving the tents. Ushers help patrons find their seats, answer questions, assist the House Manager if there are any seating issues as well as assisting in emergencies and evacuations.
House Float Volunteer
House Float Volunteers will assist the House Manager with seating patrons in the BMO Mainstage or the Howard Family Stage (this is show-dependent). At intermission the House Float will assist the Village Manager with crowd control in the Village.
Events Assistants
Event assistants help in the set-up, take-down, and running of events in the Marquee and on the site at various times during the season. These events include corporate and sponsor nights, wine tasting, YSW presentations and fireworks. Event assistants may work as ticket takers, greeters, or bar servers, along with other event-related duties.
Special Requirements: Some positions may require a minimum of one year of experience with Bard on the Beach. Servers must be 19+ years of age. Must have the Special Event Server Certification or Serving it Right. If you don’t have either certification and are unable to obtain it, Bard on the Beach can assist.