Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival

What services does your organization provide?
Celebrating its 24th Season in 2012, Bard on the Beach is one of Canada's largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare Festivals. Presented in a magnificent setting on the waterfront in Vancouver's Vanier Park, the Festival offers Shakespeare plays, related dramas, and several special events in two performance tents from June through September.

A custom-built Mainstage was erected in 2011, offering expanded seating (742 seats), a redesigned stage and more comfortable seating for patrons. The Mainstage tent is open-ended so that the actors perform against a spectacular backdrop of mountains, sea and sky - a highlight of the unique Bard experience. Two productions are performed in repertory in the tent from early June through late September.

The Douglas Campbell Studio Stage tent seats 240 and its two repertory productions run from the end of June through September. This intimate performance space features Shakespeare's lesser-known plays or his great classics presented with less traditional staging.

Both tents are located in the Bard Village, a lively gathering space for Bard theatre patrons where they can meet and chat with fellow event-goers, take in a range of educational events, enjoy full concession and bar services and browse the Bard boutique. The Village is open to patrons for one full hour prior to curtain.

Do you have any age requirements?
16 years of age during current year

What time commitment(s) are you expecting from a volunteer?
Our expectation is that volunteers will make a commitment to do the equivalent of one shift per week throughout the season from late May through September, but based on our recognition levels the minimum commitment of time required is 25 hours.

Are there any specific skills and experience required?
- You must speak English fluently
- You must be out-going and comfortable in dealing with the general public.
- You must be able to navigate the site safely.

What type of volunteer positions are typically available?
Volunteers work in the Front of House area as Greeters, Ticket Takers or Ushers; in retail as Boutique or Concession assistants and as Event assistants. We have limited volunteer opportunities in administration.

Do you provide training for volunteers?
All volunteers are required to attend an orientation session as well as training session(s) in any areas they wish to volunteer

Do you accept high school students?
We offer high school students the opportunity to gain valuable hospitality work experience with a professional theatre company. Work experience will include Front of House, retail and food services. Volunteers will receive customer service training that includes ushering, cash handling and debit/credit sales. They will experience interactions with the general public while working with people of all ages and backgrounds. At the completion of their work experience, volunteers will get a record of their volunteer hours and completion of any required forms. Participants will also receive all volunteer benefits.