Volunteer Opportunities at Marin Ballet: Nutcracker

Marin Ballet's largest production of the year, Nutcracker, relies on a tour de force of volunteers to bring the production to the stage. We depend on no fewer than 150 volunteers to help us with everything from costumes and props, to security and set transportation. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at Marin's beloved holiday tradition, join us as a volunteer!

Nutcracker Volunteer Positions:

•  Boutique Manager

•  Boutique Sales

•  Dressing Room Manager

•  Dressing Room Helper

•  Flower Manager

•  Flower Sales

•  Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Decoration Set-Up

•  Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Face Painter

•  Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Goodie Bag Maker

•  Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Servers

•  Nutcracker Security

•  Nutcracker Transportation

•  Props Handler

•  Reception Planner

•  Wardrobe Assistant

Boutique Manager

The Boutique is a gift shop of seasonal and ballet-themed items for sale during our performances. For Nutcracker, the Boutique is held in the lobby of the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater; for other performances, the Boutique is held in the Marin Ballet lobby.

The Boutique Manager's responsibilities include:

• Coordinating with the Boutique Chair prior to the performance weekend to determine set-up and display of Boutique items.  

• Overseeing the set-up, sales, and breakdown of display on performance days.

• Helping to recruit volunteers for help with these tasks, as well as to staff the boutique and conduct sales during the performances. The Boutique Manager is not required to be present during all shifts, but rather is charged with ensuring full coverage by other volunteers.

• Training volunteers on sales transactions and cash flow accountability.

• Calculating financial transactions and report the earnings to the Boutique Chair.

Helpful skills include the ability to:

• Coordinate and manage volunteers during sale periods.

• Conceptualize eye-catching displays of items in the provided space.

• Handle "rush periods" where many people are making purchases (during intermission, for instance).  

Boutique Sales

The Boutique is a gift shop of seasonal and ballet-themed items for sale during our performances. For Nutcracker, the Boutique is held in the lobby of the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater; for other performances, the Boutique is held in the Marin Ballet lobby.

A Boutique Salesperson's responsibilities include:

• Coordinating any special instructions regarding sale items with the Boutique Manager.  

• Staffing the Boutique table before and after performances and during intermission; keeping track of inventory and cash transactions.  

• Checking out at the end of the shift with the Boutique Manager, Boutique Chair, or Volunteer Coordinator (whomever is on site) and reporting sales info to them.

• Calculate financial transactions and report the earnings to the Boutique Chair.

Helpful skills include the ability to:

• Handle "rush periods" where many people are making purchases (during intermission, for instance).  

Dressing Room Manager

Dressing Room Manager positions are available during our performances, including Nutcracker, Spring Concert, Spring Showcase, and Summer Showcase.

A Dressing Room Manager's responsibilities include:

• Overseeing backstage dressing rooms.
• Working with the wardrobe team to ensure costume changes, hair, and makeup are done correctly in the proper amount of time.
• Helping to recruit and provide direction to other volunteers for help with these tasks.
• Being available to assist during rehearsals and performances.

Helpful skills include:

• Ability to coordinate and manage volunteers
• Overseeing and directing quick costume changes

Dressing Room Helper

Dressing Room Helper positions are available during our performances, including Nutcracker, Spring Concert, Spring Showcase, Pre-Ballet Showcase, and Summer Showcase.

A Dressing Room Helper's responsibilities include:

• Following the directions of the Dressing Room Manger.
• Working with the wardrobe team to ensure costume changes, hair, and makeup are done correctly in the proper amount of time.
• Helping direct dancers to the stage when they are called.
• Dressing room helpers are needed for rehearsals and performances.

Helpfull skills include:

• Ability to coordinate and manage dancers backstage
• Overseeing and directing quick costume changes

Flower Manager

Flower Manager positions are available during our performances, including Nutcracker, Spring Concert, Spring Showcase, Pre-Ballet Showcase, and Summer Showcase.

A Flower Manager's responsibilities include:

• Meeting with the Volunteer Coordinator and Artistic Director prior to performances to determine special themes, colors, etc... for the upcoming performance.
• Overseeing flower purchasing, bouquet creation, set-up, breakdown, and sales at the performances.
• Ensuring that there are ample bouquets in stock for each performance.
• Helping to recruit volunteers for help with these tasks, as well as staffing the flower sales table and conducting sales during the performances. The Flower Manager is not required to be present during all shifts, but rather is charged with ensuring full coverage by other volunteers.
• Calculating financial transactions and reporting the earnings to the Volunteer Coordinator.

Helpful skills include the ability to:

• Work with flowers and create floral bouquets (experience helpful, but not required).
• Coordinate and manage volunteers during sale periods.
• Conceptualize eye-catching displays of items in the provided space.
• Handle "rush periods" where many people are making purchases (during intermission, for instance).  

Flower Sales

Flower Sales positions are available during our performances, including Nutcracker, Spring Concert, Spring Showcase, Pre-Ballet Showcase, and Summer Showcase.

A Flower Salesperson's responsibilities include:

• Creating floral bouquets under the direction of the Flower Manager, as needed.
• Staffing the flower sales table and conducting sales during the performances.
• Calculating financial transactions.

Helpful skills include the ability to:

• Work with flowers and create floral bouquets (experience helpful, but not required).
• Handle "rush periods" where many people are making purchases (during intermission, for instance).  

Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Decoration Set-Up

Candy Cane Parties are events held for children and their families following the matinee performances of Nutcracker. It is a chance for kids to share in the magic of Nutcracker and the holiday season as they mingle with some of the performance characters and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, face painting, and more in the Redwood Foyer at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater.

A Candy Cane Party Decoration Set-up person's responsibilities include:

• Helping to set-up the decorations in the Redwood Foyer/Theater lobby on the Friday afternoon prior to the performance weekend.
• Decorating Christmas trees with ornaments, bows, etc.

Helpful skills include:

• Ability to follow detailed instructions.

Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Face Painter

Candy Cane Parties are events held for children and their families following the matinee performances of Nutcracker. It is a chance for kids to share in the magic of Nutcracker and the holiday season as they mingle with some of the performance characters and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, face painting, and more in the Redwood Foyer at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater.

A Face Painter's responsibilities include:

• Painting simple holiday-themed images on children's faces for the duration of the party (approximately one hour). All supplies and instructions are provided.  

Helpful skills include:

• Painting/art ability (You do not need to be a professional artist! Anyone who is able to draw/paint basic and fun images is qualified.)  

• Enjoying working with young children.

Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Goodie Bag Maker

Candy Cane Parties are events held for children and their families following the matinee performances of Nutcracker. It is a chance for kids to share in the magic of Nutcracker and the holiday season as they mingle with some of the performance characters and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, face painting, and more in the Redwood Foyer at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater.

A Goodie Bag Maker's responsibilities include: Assembling goodie bags for the children attending the Candy Cane parties (approximately 300) in advance of the performance weekend (can be done well ahead of time for those with busy schedules). All supplies are provided and specific instructions are sent out in early November.

Nutcracker Candy Cane Party Servers

Candy Cane Parties are events held for children and their families following the matinee performances of Nutcracker. It is a chance for kids to share in the magic of Nutcracker and the holiday season as they mingle with some of the performance characters and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, face painting, and more in the Redwood Foyer at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater.

A Candy Cane Party Server's responsibilities include:

• Set-up and clean-up of the party on performance days (putting cookies on trays, counting out goodie bags, preparing beverages, etc...).
• Serving refreshments to guests at serving stations.

Nutcracker Security

Security positions are available during Nutcracker performances and tech/dress rehearsals at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Theater.

A Security volunteer's responsibilities include:

• Arriving at the theater before the first child arrives and staying until the last child has been picked up. (Ideally there will be enough volunteers to work in shifts so one person is not there all day.)  

• "Guarding" the stage door, so to speak; ensuring that each student and performer checks in and out properly during rehearsal and performance times.

• Ensuring that only those who are on the backstage pass list enter the theater.

• Ensuring that each child leaves with his or her parent or guardian.  

• Being by the stage door for your entire shift; the entrance should never be left un-guarded.

Helpful skills include:

• Enjoyment of interacting with children, faculty, staff, performers and parents.

Nutcracker Transportation

Transportation positions are available during Nutcracker performances (this is a great volunteer opportunity for dads!). Valid driver's license required.

A Transportation volunteer's responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Stage Manager with pick-up (from storage unit in Richmond), load-in, and load-out of the sets, props, and wardrobe boxes for the performance.

• Shilfts include the Sunday and Monday prior to performance weekend and the Sunday and Monday following the performances.

Helpful skills include:

• Ability to lift and move large set pieces, props, and wardrobe boxes.

What to wear:

• Jeans, T-shirts, whatever you don't mind getting a little dirty!

Props manager & props Handlers

The Props Manager coordinates prop handling during rehearsals and performances.

The Props Manager responsibilities include:

• Meeting with Artistic team to discuss prop handling needs for upcoming performances.

• Directing volunteers to ensure smooth flow of props during production.

   

Props Handler positions are available during our Nutcracker performances.

The Props Handler's responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Props Manager.

• Coordinating use of props in rehearsals and performances (all props handlers are required to work a dress rehearsal in order to assist during a performance).

Helpful skills include:

• Interest in behind-the-scenes work of performances

• Ability to respond quickly to direction during short periods of time for set/scene changes

Reception Planner

Marin Ballet has two post-performance receptions during the year: one after the last performance of Nutcracker, and one for the graduating students after Spring Concert.   

A Reception Planner's responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Event Coordinator with planning the event, including set-up and break-down of event.

Helpful skills include:

• Interest in event planning and organizing
• Attention to detail and organization

Wardrobe Assistant

Wardrobe Assistant positions are available during our performances, including Nutcracker, Spring Concert, Spring Showcase, Pre-Ballet Showcase, and Summer Showcase.

A Wardrobe Assistant's responsibilities include:

• Assisting the Wardrobe Mistress with making, repairing, altering, and cleaning costumes for performances.
• Being available at various times (to be determined by the Wardrobe Mistress) surrounding the performances for costume fittings, and backstage at rehearsals and performances.

Helpful skills include:

• Sewing
• Working with delicate fabrics such as satin and tulle, etc...
• Flexibility regarding work hours. Some projects may be taken home for completion, other projects will need to be done on site at Marin Ballet or the theater.

For further information about this or other volunteer opportunities, contact: Volunteer Coordinator, Carissa Sullivan Ms. Sullivan, (415) 453-6705 ext.12.