Volunteer During the Festival for a few hours or days!
2020 Shifts will be up closer to the festival.The Pittsburgh Fringe is run entirely by volunteers, and we need your help! As a fiscally sponsored non-profit organization, we rely on the kind hearts and strong shoulders of those who love the Fringe. We are looking for outgoing, dependable and friendly candidates to usher, scan tickets, help with production and pre-production activities and generally fill in wherever an extra hand is needed. Festival Volunteer - Help for a few hours or a few days! Here are some ways you can help... What we need:
Prepare for the Festival Super Amazing Volunteer - Want to do more than a few hours or a few days? See below for some tech and "executive" volunteer positions! If you need to intern or do school volunteer hours, let us know. We are happy to coordinate with your university to sign any necessary paperwork (and we have professors volunteering with us, so they know what types of experiences you need!). |
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Management Positions open for Pittsburgh Fringe
Applications open until filled. We will usually see candidates in batches to save time. We prefer to do an in person interview in the festival zone prior to acceptance.
We are looking for the following positions, but are willing to change or alter positions to fit your needs if you are a good match.
If you just want to help us during the festival to collect tickets, we will put out a call for volunteers of this sort later. This is primarily for managerial volunteers who want to help run the festival, or managerial interns.
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization. Even our Executive Director does this for the love of it, so there will be no compensation (only T-Shirts, buttons, great titles, experience, and friendship). We will have a few spots available for folks who live outside of the city, or out of town, and need some overnight housing, but we can only accommodate a few of these positions, and they are reserved for folks who help us in the weeks leading up to the festival, and are taking on more responsibility.
We are looking for the following positions, but are willing to change or alter positions to fit your needs if you are a good match.
If you just want to help us during the festival to collect tickets, we will put out a call for volunteers of this sort later. This is primarily for managerial volunteers who want to help run the festival, or managerial interns.
We are an entirely volunteer-run organization. Even our Executive Director does this for the love of it, so there will be no compensation (only T-Shirts, buttons, great titles, experience, and friendship). We will have a few spots available for folks who live outside of the city, or out of town, and need some overnight housing, but we can only accommodate a few of these positions, and they are reserved for folks who help us in the weeks leading up to the festival, and are taking on more responsibility.
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AVAILABLE POSITIONS: (see below for descriptions) Volunteer Coordinator Venue Manager Venue Assistant Managers Venue Tech Managers Venue Tech Assistants Social Media Manager Instagram Specific Manager Facebook Specific Manager Twitter Specific Manager Outreach Manager Box Office Manager Assistant Box Office Managers Internships Other |
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Volunteer Coordinator
The Pittsburgh Fringe is seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to join our growing non-profit organization. This position functions to help support the
Festival’s goals and objectives in a fast-paced, hands-on, environment. This position is needed for the period of April 2nd through April 5th, 2020, but ideally will help us set up and plan volunteer schedules during the festival.
The Volunteer Coordinator will recruit, screen, schedule, and supervise the volunteer base, which serves everyone involved with the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Volunteer Management start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, but not necessarily the Sunday), and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival April 2-5th as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down on the 6th. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Festival’s goals and objectives in a fast-paced, hands-on, environment. This position is needed for the period of April 2nd through April 5th, 2020, but ideally will help us set up and plan volunteer schedules during the festival.
The Volunteer Coordinator will recruit, screen, schedule, and supervise the volunteer base, which serves everyone involved with the Pittsburgh Fringe Festival.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Work with area organizations to recruit volunteers Organize and execute
- Volunteer Training and Information Meetings
- Create and maintain the master volunteer schedule Maintain constant
- communication with Venue Managers
- Maintain volunteer database and track volunteer hours/benefits
- Manage Volunteer desk at Festival headquarters assigning tasks to
- volunteers and troubleshooting volunteer needs
- Help us select Volunteer of the Year awards
- Draft thank you letter to volunteers
- Provide post-Festival report to staff
- Able to work independently, efficiently and under deadline pressure.
- Excellent communications skills.
- Detail-oriented, organized, motivated and friendly
- Box office or front of house experience is recommended but not required
- Passion for the arts
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Volunteer Management start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, but not necessarily the Sunday), and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival April 2-5th as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down on the 6th. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Venue Assistant Managers
We are looking for a Venue Assistant Managers. Assistant Venue Managers help venue managers, and act as the primary point of contact of Pittsburgh Fringe to to venue managers, artists, volunteers and audiences of their particular venue. The Assistant Venue Manager will facilitate their assigned artists in presenting their Festival show. Additionally, the Assistant Venue Manager acts as the direct path of information from the venue to Pittsburgh Fringe Staff.
The Assistant Venue Manager primarily serves as a house manager, but must also have a solid understanding of technical equipment, with the ability to troubleshoot in the event of equipment failure. Venue Managers ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for both Fringe artists and audiences alike.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Work directly with assigned venue operator contact during the Festival to ensure proper use of the space
- Oversee fast-paced, repertory performance schedule for multiple productions
- Assist and supervise Fringe artists during performances and technical rehearsals
- Work with Box Office staff to ensure good communication with audiences, and to get shows started on time
- Handle and troubleshoot technical problems or needs of artists with the assistance of other Fringe Staff
- Oversee cleanliness of all Venue spaces used by Pittsburgh Fringe, assuring a positive environment for artists, patrons and Venue staff
- Communicate with Fringe staff, in timely and appropriate manner, all information about performances and venue needs
- Assist with load-in and load-out of all venues
- Communicate with Fringe Staff feedback on artists, venues and audience experiences for use in future Fringe Festival planning
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of theatre or event production, or commensurate experience in a similar area
- Ability to troubleshoot and work independently
- Lighting, sound, or stage management experience preferred
- Experience in a customer-facing role; event front of house or box office a plus
- Ability to manage large crowds on a tight schedule
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Friendly demeanor, ability to manage people and enforce rules/policies
- Grace and sense of humor under pressure
- Creative minded with the ability to work independently as well as with a team
- Ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances in a bustling festival environment
- Possess excellent customer service, problem solving and troubleshooting skills
- Passion for the arts
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Assistant Venue Management start closer to early or even mid-March, and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival, and during the week leading up to the festival when we will be setting up. And a large commitment during the festival April 2-5th as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down the day after the final day. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Social Media Manager and other specific media Managers
Social Media Manager is responsible for managing the social media efforts leading up to and during the festival while also acting as the liaison to our PR Firm, and works with our performers and visual artists to create great stories about them. Ideally, we also have managers for each main social media format to work with you, and find the best posts. But the overall Social Media manager will be coordinating all posts for a uniformed look and feel across all media.
Specific Social Media Managers (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat) will coordinate with the Social Media Manager, and concentrate specifically on their specific media.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Social Media Management start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Specific Social Media Managers (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat) will coordinate with the Social Media Manager, and concentrate specifically on their specific media.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Plan, develop and implement an annual social media campaign
- Manage and oversee the development and maintenance of Pittsburgh Fringe's social media platforms (Primarily Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) while remaining within limited budget.
- Coordinate regularly with the the rest of the team and our PR firm to ensure a cohesive and effective promotional effort
- Work with the artists to gather marketing information about the shows and plan marketing initiatives leading up to the festival.
- Work with staff to ensure that donors are all recognized appropriately
- Work with staff to ensure that sponsors are all recognized appropriately
- Work with the staff members to publicize the festival
- Act as liaison with our PR firm and staff to ensure that the contracts are fulfilled efficiently and effectively.
- Strong computer skills, including the primary social media platforms
- Acute attention to detail
- Solid time management skills.
- Self-starter and strong communicator with a high degree of initiative and the ability to work independently and on a team quickly and creatively
- Ability to deliver brand messaging and overall story arcs
- Ability to conceive and deliver plans and strategies
- Experience managing or supervising interns, volunteers, etc.
- Familiarity with fringe festivals and a passion for the arts
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Social Media Management start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Venue Tech Manager and Assistant Tech
We are still looking for 2-4 Venue Tech Managers to work with the Venue Managers and overall Tech director during the festival to coordinate the technical aspects of the venue. The Venue Tech Manager works on planning the very simple lighting and sound in each venue, coordinating with artists about their technical needs, build the very simple venue during set up, and coordinate stage managers for each show. The coordinate and plan rehearsal times with artists, and run the rehearsal times. They may run tech on some shows, but not necessarily. During the festival, they help artists with their tight turn arounds, and make sure all equipment is functioning properly.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Venue Tech Managers start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially during the week leading up to the festival when we will be setting up. And a large commitment during the festival April 2-5th as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day (until we are done, but usually it is pretty quick). Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Work in conjunction with the staff to fulfill all technical needs for the festival
- Prep and maintain all Festival lighting and sound equipment and inventory
- Update or create technical venue designs or plans as needed based on inventory and in conjunction with staff
- Assist in ordering all needed supplies, based on venue designs and inventory needs
- Attend staff meetings and production meetings, as needed
- Serve as the Master Electrician for your venues and any events under you
- Supervise staff and volunteers in the preparation, load-in, and maintenance of festival venue
- Assist as needed during techs
- Create rehearsal schedules with staff and artists
- Create plan to build venue and tear down venue
- Read venue reports and festival schedules. Follow-up on applicable details/notes and communicate information to supervisors and staff as appropriate
- Supervise Load out of all equipment
- Update inventory and storage information of all Fringe owned equipment and supplies
- Assist with tear down and returning of all equipment to storage or to appropriate owners
- Working knowledge of very basic theatrical systems and common safety practices
- Working knowledge of DJ and led lighting a big plus
- Prior experience working in the audio-visual, sound or video is best
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and stand on feet for long time periods
- Must be able to comfortably negotiate stairs, ladders, lifts, and catwalks (if applicable) up to 45 feet above ground (or sometimes just 10 feet), as well as working within confined spaces
- Working knowledge of some sort of design software ideal, but not required
- Ability to perform basic simple maintenance of equipment (lights, sound, video projection) ideal
- Friendly demeanor, ability to manage people and enforce rules/policies
- Grace and sense of humor under pressure
- Ability to lead load-in, focus, work and strike calls
- Creative minded with the ability to work independently as well as with a team
- Ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances in a bustling festival environment
- Possess excellent customer service, problem solving and troubleshooting skills
- Passion for the arts
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Venue Tech Managers start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially during the week leading up to the festival when we will be setting up. And a large commitment during the festival April 2-5th as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day (until we are done, but usually it is pretty quick). Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance.
Outreach Manager
The Outreach Manager is a position that is responsible for coordinating the outreach efforts of the Pittsburgh Fringe leading up to and during the festival.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Outreach Manager start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down on the after the final day. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Identify and coordinate local marketing opportunities – shops, restaurants, festivals, farmers markets, etc.
- Ensure wide and effective distribution of publicity material – Festival programs, posters, flyers, and postcards along with the Artists’ posters
- Coordinate training videos for artists on marketing pre-Festival, during the Festival, etc.
- Produce survey (physical and online) and process results
- Communicate with past artists about what they are up to that we can promote, celebrate, etc.
- Coordinate regularly with the Social Media, PR firm, Publicity, Marketing, and Box Office Managers to ensure a cohesive and effective promotional effort
- Work with the staff to gather marketing information about the shows and plan outreach marketing initiatives leading up to the festival.
- Work with staff members to publicize the festival
- Strong computer skills
- Acute attention to detail
- Solid time management skills.
- Strong Pittsburgh friends and network a plus!
- Self-starter and strong communicator with a high degree of initiative and the ability to work independently and on a team quickly and creatively
- Ability to conceive and deliver plans and strategies
- Love to network and meet people in Pittsburgh and sell them on our festival!
- Experience managing or supervising interns, volunteers, etc.
- Familiarity with fringe festivals and a passion for the arts
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Outreach Manager start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down on the after the final day. Willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance
Box Office Manager and Assistants
The Box Office Manager and Assistants are a position that is responsible for coordinating the Box Office activities across all the venues. This year venues are running themselves mostly, but still need us to run the box office.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Box Office Manager will start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week preparing and training for the festival. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability a bit before the festival but mostly a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day. We are willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will perform a wide range of duties, including but not limited to:
- Train in Ticketleap (we will provide on site training) The manager will be expected to help the assistant box office managers.
- Help train ushers in ticket scanning.
- Produce box office reports and house reports for each show.
- Keep accurate records of sales and record each audience member.
- Prepare performers for larger or smaller audiences than expected.
- Strong computer skills
- Acute attention to detail
- Solid time management skills.
- Past box office experience or retail experience a plus.
- Management must be a self-starter with strong communicator with a high degree of initiative and the ability to work independently and on a team quickly and creatively
- Assistants do not need as much skills as the manager.
- Familiarity with fringe festivals and a passion for the arts
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Box Office Manager will start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week preparing and training for the festival. Reporting through meetings and phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability a bit before the festival but mostly a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day. We are willing to work around your job, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance
INTERNSHIPS
Our internships follow under a number of categories. We plan to work with you to help find you the best opportunities for your future goals. Our Executive Director is professor and loves to create just the right opportunities for students to help them learn. We are even happy to work with your university or school to help you earn internships credits or independent studies credit. We are even willing to give managerial positions (like listed above) to the right student. We don't want interns serving coffee. We want them learning through experience, and fringe's are a great way to do this!
If you are a professor reading this, please contact us about what we can do to help your class or students get the experience they need!
POSITIONS:
All positions depends on the student's qualifications and what they desire to learn. But they will be real opportunities with real responsibilities! Many of the positions above can be done as internships!
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Some interns may start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week (but willing to go up or down depending on your university requirements). Reporting through in person meetings, phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day, but around classes. Willing to work around your jobs or classes, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance (depending on your position - which we can work out in advance of your accepting the position).
If you are a professor reading this, please contact us about what we can do to help your class or students get the experience they need!
POSITIONS:
All positions depends on the student's qualifications and what they desire to learn. But they will be real opportunities with real responsibilities! Many of the positions above can be done as internships!
TIME COMMITMENT:
The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival runs April 2-5th, 2020. Some interns may start on as soon as the position is accepted and work usually on your own time anywhere from 5-10 hours per week (but willing to go up or down depending on your university requirements). Reporting through in person meetings, phone calls, and online. Must have more onsite availability during the weekend before the festival (especially the Saturday, and during the week leading up to the festival when we have rehearsals and setup. And a large commitment during the festival as we run long hours. Then onsite during tear down after the final day, but around classes. Willing to work around your jobs or classes, as we are also working around our jobs, but you may need to ask for the days of the festival off in advance (depending on your position - which we can work out in advance of your accepting the position).
Other
Have an idea for something you would like to help us with? We have so many other things we would love to do! An event manager to help us create other events, live music manager, marketing manager, production manager, stage manager, etc. Just apply, and select other - and we'll have a conversation!
