Volunteer sign-ups are now OPEN for our upcoming
Public Works: Twelfth Night production!
WHAT IS PUBLIC WORKS?Public Works is a groundbreaking initiative centered around transformational partnerships that blur the lines between artists and audiences. Public Works invites and empowers Pittsburghers of all ages and backgrounds to come together and discover their own creative power through classes, field trips, potlucks, and ultimately by collaborating with one another and professional artists to create a stunning large-scale production to celebrate our city. With our partner organizations, we are currently hosting workshops and classes that provide opportunity for skill-building, collaboration, and creativity, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among participating organizations. Public Works culminates in a dazzling, free-to-the-public, large scale musical adaptation of a Shakespeare classic at the O’Reilly Theater in downtown Pittsburgh in June 2025.
This is where you come in! Because this is such a massive endeavor, volunteer support is needed more than ever. Our community ensemble will include over 80 individuals who are excited about theater and performing alongside our professional ensemble. We will need help with logistics, welcoming our community guests into the O'Reilly, costume support, youth support, etc. Check out the full list of volunteer job descriptions, below, and then complete the Formstack to let us know where you might be interested in volunteering. We are so excited about Public Works, but we can't do it without your help.
Descriptions of the volunteer jobs:
Welcome
Assist in welcoming professional and community ensembles, staff, and guests during Twelfth Night rehearsals and performances. Responsibilities include greeting attendees, directing attendees to designated locations in the O’Reilly, and ensuring they feel comfortable. This role also involves helping to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. Strong communication, organizational skills, and a friendly demeanor are essential for this position.
Youth Support
Assist the Youth Supervisor with guiding youth participants during Twelfth Night activities, events, rehearsals, and performances. Responsibilities include assisting the Youth Supervisor with ensuring the safety and well-being of the youth ensemble during all rehearsals and performances, helping with group management, and offering encouragement and assistance as needed. Strong communication skills, patience, and the ability to engage with young people are essential. Ideal for individuals who enjoy working with youth in a supportive and positive environment. All volunteers must complete PA state background clearances for working with children – costs of clearances covered by theater.
Transportation
Assist with organizing and managing transportation logistics for events or programs. Responsibilities include ensuring participants have transportation to and from the O’Reilly, ensuring timely arrivals and departures, and assisting with vehicle scheduling. The coordinator will also communicate travel details to volunteers and participants and address any transportation issues that arise. Strong organizational and communication skills, along with attention to detail, are essential for this role.
Meal Support
Assist in meal service for professional and community ensembles, staff, and guests during Twelfth Night rehearsals and performances. Responsibilities helping with meal setup and breakdown, assisting with food distribution, setup and clean up. The role also involves helping to maintain a welcoming atmosphere and ensuring all dietary needs are considered. Strong communication, organizational skills, and a friendly demeanor are essential for this position.
Costume Support
Assist with administrative costume duties such as organizing measurement appointments, capturing photo/identity records, and taking notes on costume issues and reporting to costume or wardrobe departments. Responsibilities include helping with costume fitting records, ensuring costumes are returned post rehearsal and performance, and keeping fitting and dressing spaces clean and safe from trip hazards. A keen eye for detail and a willingness to collaborate with the costume team is essential. Respect and discretion with personal information is paramount. Ideal for individuals with an interest in theater, fashion, or costuming for staged productions.
Production Support
Assist the stage management team during Twelfth Night technical rehearsals and performances by supporting the community ensemble. Responsibilities include helping community ensemble groups and cameo performers navigate through the building, ensuring ensemble performers are in the right place at the right time for their cues, acting as a point of contact for stage management to the different staging rooms around the building, and helping to maintain the overall flow of people during performances. Strong communication skills, caring for people, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are essential. Ideal for individuals interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of theater production.
Front of House Volunteer slots will be available closer to production dates.
**IMPORTANT: All Volunteers must sign up via the Signup Genius link above attend one of the following virtual orientations:
May 8th from 10-11AM
May 14th from 11AM-12PM
May 15th from 6-7PM
*A link for the virtual orientations will be provided closer to the orientation dates.
Please use the Signup Genius link to sign up for which sessions you would like to volunteer: Pittsburgh Public Theater: Public Works Twelfth Night