Volunteering

It would be impossible to present the entertainment at the Moisture Festival without the help of our fantastic volunteers. With each great show there are important jobs that must be done to make sure the show runs smoothly and that the audience is happy.

We all have a lot of fun together, mainly because we have been so fortunate to have a diverse array of talented individuals to fill the volunteer positions. You can volunteer to help build sets, create the Palladium, meet and greet the public, help in the office, clean and sweep, take tickets, feed the artists, provide security, and the list goes on.

Our volunteer coordinator for 2010 is Shanika Davis. To reach her about volunteering for the 2010 Moisture Festival, email: volunteers@moisturefestival.org

General Volunteering Information:

The festival is fueled by volunteers - almost everyone involved in the festival is a volunteer, from the producers to the Door Babes. Even the volunteer coordinator is a volunteer! We all work together to make this festival happen. Many of our volunteers have been with us for years - and they keep coming back to work for free because they love the festival. Our shows run Wednesday through Sunday. The shows are at ACT in downtown Seattle and Hale's Palladium in Fremont. Other venues may be added for 2010. On Friday and Saturday nights, one shift covers both the early evening (7:30pm) and late night (10:30pm) shows. All other shifts cover only one show.

Most volunteers help with the daily set-up and clean-up for each show. We make sure the theater is set and stocked, prepped for aerial acts and special performances, and kept sparkling.

* No matter what volunteer team you are on, please come wearing something you can push a broom in, and then change into your festive duds before the show.

* You may be asked to help in an area other than the one you signed up for, especially if we are over or under-staffed in a specific area. We all pitch in where we can, so please be flexible!

* Volunteers must arrive 90 minutes before show time to check in with the on-site volunteer coordinator, meet their volunteer leads, and get to work!

* When you arrive for your shift, please check in at the volunteer desk immediately inside the theater. You will need to read and sign the volunteer agreement/waiver, which will be provided by the on-site volunteer coordinator.

* We have a space where volunteers are able to stash their personal items while they work.

* Our volunteers work hard, but are able to watch most of the show. Although you are able to see most of the show, you are still "on duty" - please remain where the volunteer leads can find you, and be sure to check in periodically.

* Volunteers are welcome to join the cast for dinner after the show (or between shows on Fridays and Saturdays), but are not permitted to go backstage during the show, or after the show until the theater is cleaned and set for the next show. Space is very limited backstage, and performers need space to dress, warm up and relax.

If you are available for daytime work or pre-festival work and would like to help with administrative, publicity, theater construction or decoration tasks, please let us know! If you have experience programming for SalesForce, we urgently need your assistance to help set up our new database!

Volunteer Jobs Include:

"Door Babe/Dude" or greeters/ticket takers: we welcome the guests, keep them company while they wait in line outside the theater, take their tickets as they enter and help them to find seats, as necessary. Our Door Babes/Dudes are the face of the festival and the beginning of the show. Costumes are encouraged and playful attitudes are a must! Door babes help with setting up the theater and cleaning up after the show.

Security: Our security crew is primarily there to keep everyone safe and happy. Our security is very light, primarily because our audiences are fantastic. Security people help with the set-up and clean up of the theater, and are stationed both outside the theater and inside before the show. During the show security volunteers are stationed throughout the theater and the brewery. Security volunteers help with setting up the theater and cleaning up after the show.

Box Office: We run a cash and check only box office, both selling tickets for the current show and handling the will-call list from Brown Paper Tickets. If you have box office or cash handling experience and work well with people, this may be the job for you! Unfortunately (and fortunately) we have many sold-out shows, so we have often had to be the bearer of bad news to walk-ups. We aim to do it with grace and style. Warm costumes are encouraged - our box office is in a gypsy caravan outside the theater. The box office volunteers are responsible for setting up and shutting down the box office.

Stage Crew: If you have experience as a stage hand please drop us a line! We have an ever-changing lineup with frequent last-minute additions/changes. We will keep you on your toes with glee!

Food Babe/Dude: Help us man (or woman) our Green Room. One of the greatest joys of the festival is the gathering for dinner at the end of the show - our Food Babes/Dudes make it happen. Help set up the Green room and keep it stocked with snacks and drinks during the show, and prepare for, serve, and clean up after the meal. You'll be everyone's favorite babe!

Merchandise: Help Robin, our merchandise coordinator, sell the Moisture goods! Have cash handling experience and work well with people. We sell t-shirts, umbrellas, CDs, books, and whatever else performers may bring.

If you have experience with Theater Tech (lighting, sound, rigging, stage management), please contact Heather Mead, as we might be able to put your special skills to good use. Thank you, and we'll see you at the festival!