Get Involved

Holiday Actors is always on the lookout for new members! Cast members must be at least in year 7 when they audition or no older than 21 years of age on the 1st of January of the year of the current production – but if you’re outside this age range, don’t worry! There are heaps of ways to be involved with a Holiday Actors show, from helping out with Front of House, working backstage and helping to build sets to designing costumes, playing in the orchestra, or even directing!

Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of our company. We couldn’t put on the amazing shows that we do without an army of volunteers behind us. Below you will find a brief description of all the areas we need help with.

Set Construction
Generally, this entails more building skills like hammering, nailing, sawing. We have some tools but not an extensive collection, so it would be great if you’re willing to use your own tools. Depending on the requirements of the show, construction may began at any time during the rehearsal period.

Painting Sets
This can vary from general painting, a little like painting a house, to more detailed artwork. Usually a day or weekend is set and the group of painters will go to the site where the painting is to take place. Paint, brushes, rollers etc are provided and helpers will be given direction of what needs to be painted etc. Let us know if you have an artistic streak for some of the finer detail.

Costumes – Sewing
You don’t have to be a dressmaker to help out with our costumes. Most of the costumes are sourced from our extensive collection but they may need some mending or alterations such as adjusting hemlines or perhaps need some buttons sewn on. Sometimes we need to make sets of items that are all the same, so a more comprehensive set of skills is needed such as making things from scratch. In that case we will provide you with a pattern, material, zips etc.

Costumes – General Assistance
Besides sewing, the costume team also require assistance during the performance period for things like ironing, washing, simple repairs and quick-change assistants.

Hair and Makeup
Most stage makeup is fairly straightforward. If you have a flair for hairdressing and makeup we’d love your help. Hair and makeup application start around 3 hours before the show is scheduled to commence and should be finished 30 minutes before the curtain goes up. Depending on the show, there may be some makeup changes that occur during the performance but it’s mostly re-powdering shiny faces and reapplying lipstick once the show starts. It is preferred that we have the same team for all the shows as you really do get it down pat and it gets easier and faster each night.

Backstage
Backstage crew help with scene transitions during the show. They report to the Stage Manager or Assistant Stage Manager and are responsible for the safe and timely moving of large and small set pieces. We prefer to keep the same crew for every performance so you may have to sacrifice the opportunity to see the show from the audience.

Technical
If you have any experience with theatre tech, we want to hear from you! Our shows require audio technicians, lighting operators, projection assistants, photographers and videographers. If you have skills or want to learn any of these areas, please get in touch.

Bump In
This is the term for moving all the sets, props and costumes into the performance venue. Many hands make light work and it usually takes the best part of a day. If you have a ute, trailer or small truck you will be most welcome.

Bump Out
This is where we pack everything up and clean up the venue. This is usually the day after the final performance. If you have a ute, trailer or small truck you will be most helpful. Costumes are also bagged up into washing bags. There is some general cleaning of dressing rooms and cast areas. Lunch will be provided if bump out extends over a long period of time however we are usually finished by lunchtime.

Publicity
If you are interested in advertising your business in our program we have very reasonable rates. Please speak with someone from our committee. Any other ideas and help with publicity would be welcomed.

Camp – Food Preparation
There is an intensive weekend rehearsal camp at Brucknell, usually late November, early December. Although the cast provide their own lunch, dinner, breakfast and Sunday lunch is included in the camp fee. The bulk of the food preparation is done on Saturday morning when the cast arrive eg washing lettuce, making coleslaw, scrubbing potatoes, cutting up watermelon etc. The rest of the food preparation is done by the camp supervisors.

Camp – Clean Up
The camp venue needs to be cleaned during the afternoon on Sunday. The cast will pack up their rooms and sweep floors, but all rooms need to be mopped, toilets and showers cleaned.

Cast Party – Food Serving and pack up
The Junior Committee are tasked with organising a post-show cast party. The format is structured with speeches awards and performances. A light supper is served that usually consists of chips, dips, pizza and soft drink. The Junior Committee purchase the food and do the majority of the work with the help of other cast members. It is good to have some adults around to help out.

Program Sellers
We need four to six program sellers for each performance. This is an ideal job for siblings of cast members. Program sellers do need to be able to handle money and give correct change so secondary aged children are preferred. Program sellers need to be at the venue one hour before curtain and at interval. Program sellers will be given a HA apron to wear whilst selling programs.

Security
It sounds a bit daunting but it’s not really. During performances it is important that only authorised people are backstage. The security person ensures that only cast, directors, orchestra and rostered helpers have access backstage. HA has a very strict rule about this for the safety and security of our cast and property. Each authorised person will be issued a lanyard and an ID card. The card has a barcode that will be scanned in and out at the door and should be kept visible at all times (except when on stage). This is so we can easily identify anyone who should not be present.

Ushers
We may need to supplement the Lighthouse volunteers with some ushers. These people need to show people to their seats, ensure aisles are kept clear, direct people to the toilets, box office, etc. Ushers are required one hour prior to the performance and at interval.

General Help
Sometimes tasks come up that don’t fall under any particular heading so it’s great to have some people to call on should the need arise.

The best way to find out how you can get involved in Holiday Actors is by getting in contact with our secretary – click the ‘Contact Us‘ link in the menu bar for details!