How To Get Involved In Seattle's Theater Community

The Daily Meal Staff|July 21, 2014 6:00 am EST

"The show must go on!" is a quote often heard when referring to live theater. This is usually in reference to many of the unexpected events that can happen to the cast and crew behind the scenes including illness, faulty equipment, wardrobe malfunctions, etc. However, it can also refer to the many volunteers who help make every great live show a success. Although just about every theatre in Seattle would gladly accept your donation as a great way to get involved, that isn't the most practical for some folks. Lucky for you, each can use more volunteer help in the areas of ushering, concession sales, ticket sales, mailing crews, costuming assistants, etc. and the perks of doing so usually include free tickets to the show. Here are five local theaters that you could be involved with:

Taproot Theatre
204 N. 85th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 529-3646
www.taproottheatre.org

With Taproot's recent expansion, it is seeking to get the word out. Here is how you can help: join the Citiroots Team. Volunteers in the programs will be "in the know" on the latest Taproot shows, which is bound to make your friend envious. Participants are invited to sit in on rehearsals, are given posters and postcards to post up in local businesses and are assigned other easy tasks. Contact Sonja Lowe for more information.

5th Avenue Theatre
1308 5th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 625-1900
www.5thavenue.org

The 5th Avenue Theatre is regularly seeking detailed people who can be tactful and stay calm under pressure in the city's biggest theatre. These duties include helping find guests' tickets at the will call window, welcoming patrons to the Producer's Club lounge and answering questions, serving at the front desk during the afternoons by helping with general office work, being a helping hand at the Show Talks events, ushering during the nights of performances, passing out flyers and posters around Seattle and helping with upcoming special events. Please email volunteer@5thavenue.org to find out when the next orientation is taking place.

Jet City Improv
5510 University Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 352-8291
www.jetcityimprov.com

For some, helping with Jet City Improv may be more up your alley. Just like the theatre's improv format, volunteering at the Improv is a more casual event, but it is also more intimate as well. Jet City is always on the lookout for new volunteers willing to help sell tickets at the box office, help with the concession stand and ushering. As a thank you, volunteers get to see the shows for free and take classes at a reduced rate. A monetary way to help is to become a Future Founders member where participants give $20 a month to the theatre in exchange for two free tickets to each of the six Opening Night Galas, invites to private rehearsals and director talk backs and special VIP status. Contact info@jetcityimprov.com if you are interested in becoming part of the team.

ACT Theatre
700 Union St.
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 292-7660
www.acttheatre.org

Depending on what things you like to do, ACT (A Contemporary Theatre) has a variety of ways to become involved including ushering, helping with mailings and administrative tasks, staffing parties and galas, projects involving the historic building, distributing materials and acting as an ambassador for ACT. Perks include an annual appreciation event, discounts or passes to attend productions, and more.

Quiet Productions
Seattle, WA
www.quietonline.org

If you want to mix in a little closer to a dramatic crowd, "Quiet" might be just the place for you. As an arts community, it is run solely by volunteers and is seeking more of all kinds including musicians, performing artists, actors, painters and jugglers. This is in addition to its needs for those with skills with selling tickets, ushering, promotion, etc. For more information, fill out the form at: www.quietonline.org/contact.

Jeffrey Totey is a freelance writer living in Seattle. He has a love for the arts and is a student of pop culture. He covers stories about the performing arts, theater, museums, cultural events, movies and more in the greater Seattle area. His work can be found at Examiner.com.