As our Season comes to a close, we’re taking the opportunity to recognize some invaluable members our Bard community – our volunteers!
Each year, Bard welcomes over 300 new and returning volunteers, who assist with everything from welcoming patrons to the Village to running our concession and Boutique and more. We wouldn’t be able to put on our Festival without them, and we’re so grateful for their ongoing support.
This week, in the lead-up to our end-of-Season Volunteer Recognition Dinner, we’ll be highlighting just some of the incredible individuals who have volunteered their time with us this summer. In this instalment of our Volunteers of Bard series, learn more about volunteers Kelly Holbrook, Jilian Tolzmann, Tomas Rocha, and Eliza Jones!
Kelly Holbrook
Photo of Kelly.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and retired dental hygienist who finds herself always busy. I may be helping my 90-year-old father and his wife sort out emails or doctor’s appointments, working with my husband doing HR in his construction business, cooking new recipes, or spending time with friends outdoors or at book club gatherings. I am a people person, I like engaging with all sorts; I am not so fond of keeping books and filing, despite the fact I must.
What first brought you to Bard?
I think it was when my kids started studying Shakespeare in high school. They both became enamoured with the Bard, and both in turn joined up with the drama department to work in stagecraft. My husband is well read and could quote lines from Shakespeare and outline the themes of assorted plays. So it seems it was my family that brought me to Bard initially, and then attending Bard on the Beach with them captivated me. This year I read my Bard newsletter and knew as soon as I read the call for volunteers that I was in. I have wanted to volunteer at something that brings joy to all that participate. Bard fit.
What is your favourite part of being a volunteer at Bard?
The people. All the staff, crew, and performers, as well as the volunteers, appear to truly want to be there. It is a happy place to be. My face hurts when I leave from all of the smiling 🙂
When you aren’t volunteering at Bard, what do you like doing in your spare time?
I like to go to the local farms in my town of Ladner and find fabulous fruits and veg, then cook up a great meal; I like to garden, losing myself in a good audio book while I do; I like to hang out with friends at the beach, or on walks or over wine; and I like to travel, be it camping in our trailer or flying away to see new places or old friends.
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Jilian Tolzmann
Photo of Jilian.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hi! My name is Jilian and I’m a multidisciplinary creative; specifically, I enjoy exploring environmental or social justice issues through a light-hearted and hopeful lens. I also really enjoy volunteering in my community.
What first brought you to Bard?
Although I’ve been a theatregoer most of my life, surprisingly, my first Bard show was only last year. My cousin’s girlfriend was in A Midsummer Night’s Dream so we wanted to come support her. I really enjoyed the show and knew I wanted to explore more of the Festival, so I thought volunteering would be a great way to experience it, which it has been!
What is your favourite part of being a volunteer at Bard?
Position-wise, I definitely am an usher the most, however I do enjoy village greeting and helping out in the Boutique. This is going to sound cliche, but my favourite part is absolutely the people. The whole Bard on the Beach team is extremely well run and supported. I really like getting to know everyone – other volunteers, patrons, staff, crew, cast. I swear the site is like a beacon for awesome people. I feel like every shift I meet someone cool and learn something interesting about them, especially because Bard brings so many different kinds of people together.
When you aren’t volunteering at Bard, what are you doing in your free time?
This summer, outside of volunteering, I’ve mostly just been working my freelance jobs and on a few indie film projects. I also really enjoy crafts and 3D art, so this summer I decided to take on a Bard-themed challenge. Over the Season I’m creating outfits inspired by each of the Bard productions, and my challenge was to only use materials that were already in my house (though I’ve bent the rules for Goblin:Macbeth, because I have something really special planned for that one.) I’ve already finished one for As You Like It and have the rest of the shows close behind. For the rest of the Season, now that I’ll be heading back to school, I’ll be focusing on that, work, and then in September I’ll also be doing double volunteering at the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Hopefully I can find some time to read some nice books too.
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Tomas Rocha
Photo of Tomas
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hello, my name is Tomas. I am a 17-year-old high schooler in Vancouver. This is my first year volunteering with Bard on the Beach and I am loving the experience and community atmosphere.
What first brought you to Bard?
Bard has been special to me for a while. Each summer when I was young (starting at around 9 years old), my dad would challenge me to read the whole play of Shakespeare that was currently being performed at Bard. As a reward for completing my reading goal, we would go see the play together, go out to dinner, and generally have just a really fun night. Those experiences were such a thrill for me. The process of reading the play on my own and imagining the story unfolding was fuelled by seeing the play interpreted and brought to life on stage by the actors and creative team. It really solidified my love for Shakespeare. For the past two years, I have participated with a troupe of friends in the Bard Youth Fest. The Bard Youth Fest allowed me to interpret and briefly perform versions of As You Like It and A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a really engaging, collaborative way. This summer, I became eligible to volunteer and knew I wanted to give my time back to an organization that I really respected in appreciation for all it has given me.
What is your favourite part of being a volunteer with Bard?
Simply put, I just really enjoy being a part of the theatre scene. I have always enjoyed acting and seeing how things work behind the scenes. Helping out the actors brings me a lot of joy and seeing the audience’s reactions is a magnetic energy. The community here is also really kind and supportive. Everyone is always willing to help each other out.
When you aren’t volunteering at Bard, what are you doing in your free time?
I stay busy with schoolwork, studying classical languages, volunteering with other organizations, and serving on a few different youth councils. I also sing in a youth choir and (of course) play video games, and I love to try new foods. I dream big dreams of performing on the Mainstage someday (Hamlet would be a great tragic role). Many people might not think to volunteer their time to organizations, but I find that volunteering can often be very relaxing and an amazing way to get involved.
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Eliza Jones
Photo of Eliza.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
After graduating from university back at home in the UK, I decided I wanted to see some more of the world, so I moved to Vancouver earlier this year. Alongside working in a café here in the city, I’ve tried to get involved in as much of Vancouver’s arts and culture scene as I can. I love theatre and film, and I hope to break into this industry one day, but meanwhile I’m enjoying the chance to travel and the freedom to explore the amazing landscape this place has to offer.
What first brought you to Bard?
When – having newly arrived in Vancouver – I told people here that I was interested in theatre, they all said the same thing: “oh, well you must check out Bard on the Beach!” I hoped that volunteering for the Festival would not only give me an insight into one of the highlights of Vancouver’s arts scene but would also be a great way to meet new people. I’d volunteered for theatre festivals back in the UK and always loved how immersed the volunteers were in the event. I was curious to know what the experience would be like in a new place, an unfamiliar city. I hoped it would show me another side to Vancouver.
What is your favourite part of volunteering with Bard?
My favourite part of being a volunteer at Bard is the sense of community. Seeing the same faces each shift, whether it be fellow volunteers, Bard staff, or regular theatregoers makes for a lovely sense of belonging at the Festival. We’ve all come from quite different walks of life, and it’s been amazing to get to know people that I might not have otherwise crossed paths with. It’s an extremely inclusive space, and it’s been really wonderful to be a part of that.
When you aren’t volunteering with Bard, what are you doing in your free time?
I love theatre and film in general and try to catch as much as I can. Live music is another interest of mine, and my friends and I enjoy trying out new bands and music venues. Since moving to Vancouver, I have volunteered for a few other arts organizations, including music festivals, film festivals and ushering at a local cinema in the city. I also love to write. Recently I set up a creative writing magazine inspired by living abroad, and I’ve really enjoyed being the editor of that.
Thank you so much to Kelly, Jilian, Tomas, and Eliza for chatting with us today – and to all the incredible volunteers who help support us each Season!
If you’re interested in learning more about volunteering with Bard, visit our Volunteer page here.
Special thanks to People’s Group for sponsoring our Volunteer program.