BRIEF:

Volunteer Opportunities – A Thousand Threads 

Women & Theatre is looking for people to volunteer on an outdoor theatre production from May – July 2022. 

The project

Inspired by Women’s Cricket featuring in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 2022, Women & Theatre is producing a new community production about women, girls, & cricket. Performances will take place at three outdoor locations – in Ward End, Edgbaston & Smethwick – involving different community casts who will then come together for larger shows at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in July 2022. 

The productions will involve an audio soundtrack with pre-recorded material and music, which audiences will listen to via a silent disco style system, whilst watching the live action and choreography. 

The role

There are different Volunteer opportunities, to work alongside the creative team and community participants, and assist with the overall production of the show. These include Production Volunteers, who will be involved in rehearsal & production stages and Event Volunteers, who will support the smooth running of our Performance Event Days. 

Please note because A Thousand Threads is highlighting women’s experiences, the production volunteer positions are only open to women (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, part 1). 

Production Volunteers will work collaboratively with the creative team, assisting in rehearsals,  production meetings and performances. Women & Theatre aims to be responsive to Volunteers’ areas of interest (e.g. stage management or performance) and where possible will endeavour to offer tasks / specific roles to maximise the value of the experience for them. 

Production Volunteers will be involved with a range of aspects of the project which could, but not exclusively, include:

  • Engaging with community cast members, assisting in rehearsals & supporting the creative team. 
  • Attending production meetings and being open to contributing ideas and suggestions. 
  • Proactively working alongside the creative team and taking on delegated tasks. 
  • Performing alongside community participants.
  • Working alongside the Production Manager & Stage Manager; assisting with the management of props and costumes; the set up and take down of the set; and the use of equipment. 
  • Undertaking other duties to ensure the smooth running of the productions, as required.

Event Volunteers will be involved on production days, assisting the creative team with the event day. Duties include: 

  • Being a friendly & welcoming face; providing information to the public about the performances and attached participatory activities. 
  • Stewarding the show; checking tickets, issuing headphones and assisting audiences to their seats.
  • Supporting the stage management team to ensure the smooth running of the performances. 
  • Supporting the implementation of health & safety plans, including, where relevant, Covid-19 Risk Assessments.

What we need

We are looking for Volunteers who are kind, committed, organised, flexible and can work well in a team. Volunteers should have an interest working within the arts, have a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. 

Our productions will take place in different areas in Birmingham & Smethwick. Volunteers should be based in Birmingham or within the surrounding areas. 

Key Project dates

A Thousand Threads comprises 4 productions in local outdoor venues in Smethwick, Ward End, Edgbaston, and at MAC. We welcome applications for Production Volunteers that can work across all dates and areas, as well as those who can only work on one, or some, of the production phases. 

Event Volunteers will be required on Event/ Performance Days only as well as a prior Volunteer Briefing to be mutually agreed. 

A Thousand Threads – Activity Schedule

EDGBASTON: Selwyn Rd Playing Fields / The Red Shed, 79 Selwyn Road, Birmingham B16 OSL

Tues 3 May: 4.30-7pm

Thurs 5 May: 4.30-7pm

Sun & May: 10.30am-4.30pm

Tues 10 May: 4.30-7pm

Thurs 12 May: 4.30-7pm

Sat 14 May: 10.30am-5.30pm

Sun 15 May: 10.30am-6.30pm – to include performances at 1.30pm & 5pm

WARD END: Community Garden @ Ward End Park, Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham, B8 2HB

We will also be working in an indoor venue, a short walk away.

Tues 17 May: 4.30-7.30pm

Thurs 19 May: 4.30-7.30pm

Sun 22 May: 10.30am-4.30pm

Tues 24 May: 4.30-7.30pm

Thurs 26 May: 4.30-7.30pm

Sat 28 May: 10.30am-5.30pm

Sun 29 May: 10.30am-6.30pm – to include performances at 1.30pm & 5pm

SMETHWICK: Uplands Manor Primary School, Smethwick, B67 6HT

Wed 4 May: 6-8pm

Wed 11 May: 6-8pm

Tues 7 June: 5.30-8.30pm

Thurs 9 June: 5.30-8.30pm

Sun 12 June: 10.30am-4.30pm

Tues 14 June: 5.30-8.30pm

Thurs 16 June: 5.30-8.30pm

Sat 18 June: 10.30am-5.30pm

Sun 19 June: 10.30am-6.30pm – to include performances at 1.30pm & 5pm

Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH

Saturday 2 July: 10.30-4.30pm

Tues 5 July: 5.30-9pm

Fri 8 July: 5.30-9pm

Saturday 9 July: 10.30-4.30pm

Tues 12 July: 5.30-9pm

Thurs 14 July: 5.30-9pm

Fri 15 July: 11.30-8.30pm – to include performances at 1pm and 7pm

Sat 16 July: 11.30-3pm – to include performances at 1pm

Sun 17 July: 10-6pm – to include performances at 11.30am and 4.30pm

Volunteers will be offered expenses of up to £25 per day to cover food and travel. 

Women & Theatre

Women & Theatre is an award-winning theatre company with nearly 40 years’ experience of working with diverse groups to create exciting drama projects about things that matter. We create engaging theatre and use interactive drama to promote the wellbeing of the whole community.  Working in a range of contexts, our work is united by core values of inclusion and empowerment.  We work closely with communities to develop projects which foster positive changes, stimulate debate and bring diverse people together.  

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please send an email by 9am on Monday 2 May to Rosie Gunn,

Project Manager at rosiegunn@womenandtheatre.co.uk stating which Volunteer Role you are interested in, what you hope to gain from the project, and any relevant experience. You can send us a cover letter / email or if you prefer a video or voice recording. Please also include details of your availability. 

We will invite shortlisted applicants to an informal meeting  

Please note because A Thousand Threads is highlighting women’s experiences and some activity is taking place in specific community contexts, the Production Volunteer positions are only open to women (exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, part 1).

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities, reflecting the communities we work with. We actively encourage applications from those under represented within the theatre sector including non-white British, LGBTQ+, working class and disabled applicants and value the positive impact that diversity has on our teams. We are committed to equality and diversity within our workforce and all opportunities provided by Women & Theatre.