volunteering

The volunteers make it happen - without the volunteers, no Fringe Theatrefest.

Fringe Theatrefest brings together a whole variety of people and organisations to make something extraordinary happen. And the volunteers are the lifeblood of the whole enterprise.

Volunteers supervise the venues, run the venue box-offices, help with the technical side, assist with publicity and are the warm and welcoming public face of Fringe Theatrefest.

They also have an important role to play in building and maintaining the profile of Fringe Theatrefest in North Devon.

The primary "reward" is being part of an exceptional team and having a major impact on the development of an exciting event. There are also free tickets for shows to be earned (one ticket for each 3-hour shift).

We offer First Aid training and training for working with young people and vulnerable adults along with appropriate certification.

join us!

If you're ready to be part of this year's Fringe Theatrefest, please fill in the form on this page.

If you want to find out more about what it might involve, then please e-mail us at info@theatrefest.co.uk or contact us via the comments form.


Detailed job descriptions
Job Description for role of: Box Office Assistant

supported by: Volunteer Co-ordinator

This is a flexible voluntary position to be undertaken from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2020, plus training prior to the festival (dates will be negotiated when all positions are filled). The role will also require reliable communication via email and phone prior to the festival dates. Completion of the online volunteer form is compulsory for each year.

Principal Responsibilities

The Box Office Assistant operates the box digital box office in order to sell tickets, badges and vouchers to festival participants. Their responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Sell tickets, badges and vouchers to festival participants using the festivals digital box office
  • Ensure all customer data is recorded correctly following the festival’s Confidentiality Policy
  • Keep all front of house materials organised to festival standards
  • Ensure that all festival policy and procedure is followed
  • Answer or find answers to customer questions and concerns
  • Ensure a high level of accuracy on both the digital box office, with cash and any paperwork
  • Communicate any discrepancies or errors to Front of House Supervisor
  • Report any issues, injuries, incidents or near misses to Front of House Supervisor
  • Know the evacuation procedure and undertake the relevant role in the event of an evacuation
  • Maintain reliable communication via both email and phone during and prior to the festival

Personal Attributes

The Box Office Assistant is someone that customers can comfortably approach and who listens to their questions and concerns. They are able to remain calm and focused during peak times or when under time constraints. They make decisions with the needs of customers in mind. They can relate to and work with a wide variety of personalities. They are able to adapt to new or different environments and teams. They are not phased by technology and are able to learn new systems on the fly. A Box Office Assistant will therefore demonstrate a good proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Approachability
  • Composure
  • Customer Focus
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Learning on the Fly
  • Technical Learning

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • Experience working in a performing arts organisation
  • Experience assisting members of the public
  • Good IT skills
  • Experience working with a computer or paperwork based box office
Job Description for role of: Front Of House Steward

supported by: Volunteer Co-ordinator

This is a flexible voluntary position to be undertaken from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2020, plus training prior to the festival (dates will be negotiated when all positions are filled). The role will also require reliable communication via email and phone prior to the festival dates. Completion of the online volunteer form is compulsory for each year.

Principal Responsibilities

The Front of House Steward ensures that festival participants have a welcoming, exciting, fun and safe experience at Fringe TheatreFest. Their responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Guide audience members to their seats
  • Observe the auditorium during performances to ensure festival policy is being followed
  • Keep all front of house materials organised to festival standards
  • Ensure that all festival policy and procedure is followed
  • Answer or find answers to customer questions and concerns
  • Maintain a tidy and safe front of house area, putting into practise risk assessments
  • Read the Front of House Announcement to the audience before the start of each performance
  • Assist with crowd control during highly attended performances
  • Report any issues, injuries, incidents or near misses to Front of House Supervisor
  • Reset the auditorium after/before each performance
  • Know the evacuation procedure and undertake the relevant role in the event of an evacuation
  • Maintain reliable communication via both email and phone during and prior to the festival

Personal Attributes

The Front of House Steward is someone that customers can comfortably approach and who listens to their questions and concerns. They are able to remain calm and focused during peak times or when under time constraints. They make decisions with the needs of customers in mind. They can relate to and work with a wide variety of personalities. They are able to adapt to new or different environments and teams. They are able to keep time in mind to help ensure their venues compliance with the strict festival schedule. A Front of House Steward will therefore demonstrate a good proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Approachability
  • Composure
  • Customer Focus
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Learning on the Fly
  • Time Management

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • Experience working in a performing arts organisation
  • Experience assisting members of the public
Job Description for role of: Street Steward

supported by: Volunteer Co-ordinator

This is a flexible voluntary position to be undertaken from Thursday 25th to Sunday28th June 2020, plus training prior to the festival (dates will be negotiated when all positions are filled). The role will also require reliable communication via email and phone prior to the festival dates. Completion of the online volunteer form is compulsory for each year.

Principal Responsibilities

The Street Steward ensures that festival participants have a welcoming, exciting, fun and safe experience during Fringe TheatreFest Alt Space performances. Their responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Accompanying and supporting street performers on the lead up to, during and after performances
  • Observe performances and their audiences to ensure festival policy is being followed
  • Look after street equipment and keep it organised to festival standards
  • Collect money from the general public, in collection buckets, for performances
  • Answer or find answers to customer questions and concerns
  • Hold a festival flag during performances to mark the location of a performance
  • Ensure performances take place safely and don’t obstruct the normal function of public spaces
  • Report any issues, injuries, incidents or near misses to the Street Captain or Volunteer Coordinator
  • Follow a strict timetable and know the locations for each relevant performance prior to the start of the festival
  • Maintain reliable communication via both email and phone during and prior to the festival

Personal Attributes

The Street Steward is someone that performers and the general public can comfortably approach and who listens to their questions and concerns. They are able to remain calm and focused during peak times or when under time constraints. They can relate to and work with a wide variety of personalities. They are able to adapt to new or different environments and teams. They are able to keep time in mind to help ensure their venues compliance with the strict festival schedule. A Street Steward will therefore demonstrate a good proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Approachability
  • Composure
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Learning on the Fly
  • Time Management

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • Experience working in a performing arts organisation
  • Experience assisting members of the public
Job Description for role of: Greeter

supported by: Volunteer Co-ordinator

This is a flexible voluntary position to be undertaken from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2020, plus training prior to the festival (dates will be negotiated when all positions are filled). The role will also require reliable communication via email and phone prior to the festival dates. Completion of the online volunteer form is compulsory for each year.

Principal Responsibilities

The Greeter is the first person that customers meet when entering a regular venue. They guide customers through their journey ensuring that they have a smooth and safe experience. They have a good understanding of the customer journey and are able to best deploy their position and skills to support their colleagues. The Greeter ensures a welcoming, exciting and fun experience at Fringe TheatreFest. Their responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Guide customers to the box office or auditorium depending on whether they have pre-booked tickets
  • Tick names off the admission list in exchange for admission tokens
  • Keep all front of house materials organised to festival standards
  • Ensure that all festival policy and procedure is followed
  • Answer or find answers to customer questions and concerns
  • Maintain a tidy and safe front of house area, putting into practise risk assessments
  • Assist with crowd control during highly attended performances
  • Report any issues, injuries, incidents or near misses to Front of House Supervisor
  • Know the evacuation procedure and undertake the relevant role in the event of an evacuation
  • Maintain reliable communication via both email and phone during and prior to the festival

Personal Attributes

The Greeter is someone that customers can comfortably approach and who listens to their questions and concerns. They are able to remain calm and focused during peak times or when under time constraints. They make decisions with the needs of customers in mind. They can relate to and work with a wide variety of personalities. They are able to adapt to new or different environments and teams. They are able to keep time in mind to help ensure their venues compliance with the strict festival schedule. A Greeter will therefore demonstrate a good proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Approachability
  • Composure
  • Customer Focus
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Learning on the Fly
  • Time Management

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • Experience working in a performing arts organisation
  • Experience assisting members of the public
Job Description for role of: Technician

supported by: Technical Supervisor, Technical Manager, Volunteer Coordinator

This is a flexible voluntary position to be undertaken from Wednesday 24th to Sunday 28th June 2020, plus training prior to the festival (dates will be negotiated when all positions are filled). The role will also require reliable communication via email and phone prior to the festival dates. Completion of the online volunteer form is compulsory for each year.

Principal Responsibilities

The Technician ensures that companies have a welcoming, exciting, fun and safe experience at Fringe TheatreFest. Their responsibilities will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Operate lighting and sound for performances
  • Assist with technical get-ins and get-outs
  • Set up and strike technical equipment
  • Keep all technical materials organised to festival standards
  • Ensure that all festival policy and procedure is followed
  • Answer or find answers to company questions and concerns
  • Maintain a tidy and safe venue, putting into practise risk assessments
  • Report any issues, injuries, incidents or near misses to Technical Supervisor
  • Reset the performance area after/before each performance
  • Know the evacuation procedure and undertake the relevant role in the event of an evacuation
  • Maintain reliable communication via both email and phone during and prior to the festival

Personal Attributes

The Technician is someone that companies can comfortably approach and who listens to their questions and concerns. They are able to concentrate and focus their attention on the task at hand. They are able to remain calm and focused during peak times or when under time constraints. They can relate to and work with a wide variety of personalities. They are able to adapt to new or different environments and teams as well as picking up new technical knowledge on the fly. They are able to keep time in mind to help ensure their venues compliance with the strict festival schedule. A Technician will therefore demonstrate a good proficiency in the following competencies:

  • Approachability
  • Composure
  • Interpersonal Savvy
  • Learning on the Fly
  • Technical Learning
  • Time Management

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • Experience working in a performing arts organisation
  • Experience operating lighting and sound equipment