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 Patron and Volunteer Supervisor, Aidan De Lacy, at adelacy@bardonthebeach.org.
Application Process
- Complete an application form on My Impact
- 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)
- Site orientation and in-person training sessions take place in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park (late May/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 complement of volunteers.
- You must be 16 years or older
- You must be able to work a minimum of 25 hours, but we 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.
- Access to discounted ticket pricing for select performances.
- Be a part of the Bard community! Volunteers are invited to attend special behind-the-scenes tours, the Bard Explored lecture series, dress rehearsals and other community events.
- 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 accessibility requirements that you aren’t sure could be accommodated in a volunteer position of your interest, please contact us, so 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.
Be a part of a welcoming and collaborative operations team that is deeply committed to upholding and practicing Bard’s Company Commitments.
During our season, some non-customer facing volunteer positions at off-peak times will become available with limited capacities.
For more information, please contact Patron and Volunteer Supervisor, Aidan De Lacy, at adelacy@bardonthebeach.org.
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.
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 and 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: Concession Cashiers 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 and 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. Preference will be given to people under 19 years old.
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: 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.
FAQs
What is Bard on the Beach doing to keep volunteers and staff safe during the COVID pandemic?
Our top priority is to create safer spaces for our guests so they can enjoy their experience at Bard. We are committed to transparency, accessibility, and diligent care when it comes to our health and safety measures. As of February 2023, volunteers are not required to be fully vaccinated to work at Bard on the Beach.
Our health and safety measures can be found here
Can I use my volunteer hours for work experience?
We are happy to support the student work experience programs around the city. We provide a record of your hours or a reference letter on written request. Please fill out the application form and indicate that you are a work experience student.
What’s different about volunteering at Bard than at other festivals?
Most festivals require a volunteer commitment over a very short period. Bard on the Beach is a theatre company that runs in an outdoor, festival atmosphere for four months. We have 7 – 8 shows per week that require over 30 volunteers per show. While we only ask volunteers to commit to a minimum of 25 hours, it is our hope that they will be available for all four months to fill our many shifts.
Why do you do interviews and reference checks?
Bard on the Beach Volunteers are asked to make a significant commitment and are an integral part of our hospitality team. We want our volunteers to have the best experience possible. By using a professional recruitment campaign, we can get to know our potential volunteers and make sure they understand the level of commitment we require.
What if I am going on a holiday during the season and must miss shifts?
We know that people are going to take holidays during the summer, so we offer flexible scheduling options. Volunteers can schedule their shifts around their holiday plans and those who are signed up for a weekly shift can pick up extra shifts to make up for any shifts they will miss.
What do Volunteers wear?
The volunteer dress code is casual, but neat and professional. We are an outdoor venue, and weather and terrain should be taken into consideration when deciding what to wear to a shift. Volunteers should be dressed according to the following guidelines:
Preference for Khaki or black pants, capris, or shorts of an appropriate length
Denim is also acceptable
Bard t-shirt or black or white top (no non-Bard logos)
Comfortable, low-heeled shoes
All volunteers receive a special edition Bard on the Beach Volunteer t-shirt at training and are provided with an apron or a vest to wear during their shift.
* Volunteers can wear any item of clothing we sell in our boutique during their shift
SPECIAL THANKS to the Peoples Group for generously sponsoring our Volunteer Program.
