“We
always need new people,” says Linda Howell, volunteer coordinator
for DFT, who is organizing the recruiting event. “It’s a great
group of people. And theater people are always lots of fun.”
The
recruiting reception on Tuesday will provide wine, hors d’oeuvres,
desserts and information on the various ways volunteers can
pitch in to help make the new season a successful one. Working
with props, costumes, sales, marketing and administration are
a few areas in which volunteers can lend a hand. Ushers, lobby
attendants and backstage crew members are also needed.
“It’s
an opportunity to learn about all the jobs available for volunteers,”
says Meribeth Reeves, who helps DFT with marketing. “The theater
runs so much on volunteer support, so we encourage everyone
to come out and see if there’s a way for them to help. The great
thing about DFT is the variety of things people can do. There
are lots of great opportunities, and it’s a great place to meet
people and have some fun.” And no experience is necessary.
“I
absolutely love volunteering for Desert Foothills Theater,”
says DFT volunteer Dee Wolf. “I really enjoy the shows and volunteering
allows me to see them several times. It is one activity I look
forward to every year.”
According
to Reeves, DFT will announce its new season in a few weeks.
“Going forward with the new season,” she says, “we’re going
to focus on popular shows in genres that have proven to be successful
in the community.”
Beyond
that, Reeves says, you’ll have to wait for specifics until they
are announced, although volunteers attending the reception may
get a sneak preview. General auditions (not for specific plays)
for next season are scheduled to begin June 25.
Naturally,
fundraising is always an issue, but Reeves says that during
the past month and a half about $30,000 has been raised, which
facilitated moving forward with plans for the new season.
Reeves
did say that DFT would be using “theatricales” in the 2006‑07
season to generate additional funding. These short, theme‑oriented,
usually one‑act plays will be performed in private homes
where food and wine will also be served. DFT has incorporated
these “theatricales” in past seasons to raise funds, but according
to Howell this will be the first time DFT has used them in many
years.
“The
theatricales are small intimate performances at somebody’s house,”
Howell says. “We’ve got some great ones. They’ll be a lot of
fun.”
“Fun”
seems to be the operative word for those involved with DFT.
Indeed, it’s clear that it is the volunteers that put the fun
in the fundraising and the theater in the foothills. Now, they
just need a few more good people...
And
oh, what heights we’ll hit.
