The Royal Exchange Theatre are passionate about the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers, who we believe play a vital and important role in the life of the theatre. We have around 100 active volunteers and we’re looking to expand our pool to help support more activity across the organisation. There’s loads of different ways to get involved with us, and volunteering is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills and get an insight into how the Royal Exchange works! We welcome applications from everyone but are particularly keen to hear from those from the Global Majority, those who identify as d/Deaf and or Disabled and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
About the Royal Exchange Theatre
We are the North West’s largest and only full-time, text based producing theatre. We present work in our unique modular theatre-in-the-round as well as spaces across Greater Manchester, in our equally unique pop-up theatre The Den. Our exemplary engagement work with the people of Greater Manchester stands side-by-side with the theatre we produce.
The Royal Exchange building was taken over by artists in 1976 and today exchange remains at the heart of everything we make and do. Now our currency is brand new drama and reinvigorated classics, the boldest artists and a company of highly skilled makers – all brought together in a shared imaginative endeavour to trade ideas and experiences with the people of Greater Manchester (and beyond).
The Exchange’s unique auditorium is powerfully democratic, a space where audiences and performers meet as equals, entering and exiting through the same doors. It is the inspiration for all we do; inviting everyone to understand the past, engage in today’s big questions, collectively imagine a better future and lose themselves in the moment of a great night out.
About Volunteering
No two days of volunteering at the Royal Exchange Theatre are ever the same! We have lots of different ways for people to take part and get involved, and encourage people to participate as much as they like. We’re looking for people to support us in the following ways:
Start date: 1st May 2024
End date: 1st May 2025
When can volunteers volunteer? Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly, Quarterly
Availability:
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Tasks the volunteer will be required to do: Visitor Experience Volunteers
As a Visitor Experience Volunteer, you will be a be part of the pre-show welcome, engaging our audiences of all ages and backgrounds as they enter the theatre. You will assist visitors to find their way around the space and guide them to their seats in time for the performance. Volunteers are not required to stay for the duration of the performance, but those that wish to do will have the opportunity to watch the show and assist with visitor experience during the interval and after the show, as audience members leave the building.
Visitor Experience Volunteers should provide the best experience for everyone who comes into our theatre. You will be flexible and able to respond and adapt. You will help to create an inclusive and accessible space for all. You will be confident communicating with our diverse community, both as your colleagues and members of the public. To get the most out of the role, we encourage volunteers to do 1-2 sessions a fortnight while a show is running, however we are flexible to suit your availability.
A typical evening shift would include:
• 6:45pm arrive for team briefing ahead of performance
• 7pm assist with opening the theatre doors and seating audience members
• 7:30pm show starts
• 7.45pm volunteers can choose to either go home, stay and watch the show or stay backstage and assist with audience members throughout the performance
*Please be aware that these roles are separate from the paid technical team working on live theatre productions.
Hall Helpers
Hall Helpers are the face of the Great Hall. They welcome and invite people to come in and have a look at our spaces. Located at both of our entrances, Hall Helpers will advise visitors on what’s happening in the Exhibition space and the rest of the hall, let people know about our shows, direct them to our Café, answer questions about the history of the building and give general advice about Manchester and the local area. Hall Helpers will also help in to look after and welcome any external groups using the Lounge and Exhibition spaces, as well as helping to keep these spaces looking tidy.
We’re looking for friendly and approachable people to be a part of this welcoming team and help create a warm and inclusive atmosphere in the Hall. You will act as an ambassador for the Royal Exchange Theatre and be confident helping our diverse community and all members of the public. A typical Hall Helpers session will last 3 hours either from 11am-2pm or 2-5pm and there are 2x Hall Helpers at each entrance. There will be flexible sign up for sessions and you sign up to as many or as little sessions as you like.
Exhibitioners
The Engagement team have excitingly repurposed the old shop into a brand-new Exhibition space. This space will showcase and highlight all the incredible work the Engagement team does, as well as being a space that our community partners can use to display their projects. Exhibitioners will help with the take down and set up of Exhibitions and helping to dress the space to be an inviting place that visitors will want to look around.
We’re looking for people who have a keen eye for interior spacing and how to make a room come to life. You will need to have a creative imagination whilst being mindful of health & safety risks. We want to hear your ideas on how we can make this space great. Exhibition support will be less frequent, with Exhibitions being turned over roughly once every 6 weeks. Sessions will last around 1-2hrs depending on the type of support needed for the Exhibition.
Cabinet Curators
We have a great opportunity to display some of the incredible items we have in our archives and want to bring back some buzz around the building by using the glass cabinets around the Great Hall. The cabinets will contain engaging, exciting and factual content around the current show whether it be past productions of the same name, the same director or a key theme.
We’re looking for people who have experience or are looking to gain experience in curation and content writing. Liaising with the archive volunteers, you’ll need to have an eye for interesting items and facts, as well as creative ideas on how to use the spaces. Content creation and set up will happen in line with the show and expect sessions to be around 2hrs per week.
Ad Hoc Projects
Throughout the year we will have plenty of ad hoc projects that we will need support on. These will really vary in requests and time input but are always a unique and fun way to get involved with the Royal Exchange Theatre! Some previous examples of projects we’ve needed volunteer support on are: Arts Pot donation change counting, creating Christmas decorations for the Great Hall, supporting on creative activities for The Den and making table cloths for the café.
Training: There will be a volunteer orientation day on 4th and 6th April
Requirements: Willing to travel by public transport or find own way to volunteering location
Areas of Interest: Community, Craft, Customer Services, Drama, Heritage, Museums
What activities will the volunteer do? Customer Services, Design, DIY/odd jobs, Fundraising, Stewarding
DBS Check Required: No
About the host organisation
Hosted by: Royal Exchange Theatre
Organisation Profile: Volunteering at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Want to volunteer at the Royal Exchange Theatre? Here’s how to get involved!
The Royal Exchange Theatre are passionate about the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers, who we believe play a vital and important role in the life of the theatre. We have around 100 active volunteers and we’re looking to expand our pool to help support more activity across the organisation. There’s loads of different ways to get involved with us, and volunteering is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills and get an insight into how the Royal Exchange works! We welcome applications from everyone but are particularly keen to hear from those from the Global Majority, those who identify as d/Deaf and or Disabled and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
About the Royal Exchange Theatre
We are the North West’s largest and only full-time, text based producing theatre. We present work in our unique modular theatre-in-the-round as well as spaces across Greater Manchester, in our equally unique pop-up theatre The Den. Our exemplary engagement work with the people of Greater Manchester stands side-by-side with the theatre we produce.
The Royal Exchange building was taken over by artists in 1976 and today exchange remains at the heart of everything we make and do. Now our currency is brand new drama and reinvigorated classics, the boldest artists and a company of highly skilled makers – all brought together in a shared imaginative endeavour to trade ideas and experiences with the people of Greater Manchester (and beyond).
The Exchange’s unique auditorium is powerfully democratic, a space where audiences and performers meet as equals, entering and exiting through the same doors. It is the inspiration for all we do; inviting everyone to understand the past, engage in today’s big questions, collectively imagine a better future and lose themselves in the moment of a great night out.
About Volunteering
No two days of volunteering at the Royal Exchange Theatre are ever the same! We have lots of different ways for people to take part and get involved, and encourage people to participate as much as they like. We’re looking for people to support us in the following ways:
Visitor Experience Volunteers
As a Visitor Experience Volunteer, you will be a be part of the pre-show welcome, engaging our audiences of all ages and backgrounds as they enter the theatre. You will assist visitors to find their way around the space and guide them to their seats in time for the performance. Volunteers are not required to stay for the duration of the performance, but those that wish to do will have the opportunity to watch the show and assist with visitor experience during the interval and after the show, as audience members leave the building.
Visitor Experience Volunteers should provide the best experience for everyone who comes into our theatre. You will be flexible and able to respond and adapt. You will help to create an inclusive and accessible space for all. You will be confident communicating with our diverse community, both as your colleagues and members of the public. To get the most out of the role, we encourage volunteers to do 1-2 sessions a fortnight while a show is running, however we are flexible to suit your availability.
A typical evening shift would include:
• 6:45pm arrive for team briefing ahead of performance
• 7pm assist with opening the theatre doors and seating audience members
• 7:30pm show starts
• 7.45pm volunteers can choose to either go home, stay and watch the show or stay backstage and assist with audience members throughout the performance
*Please be aware that these roles are separate from the paid technical team working on live theatre productions.
Hall Helpers
Hall Helpers are the face of the Great Hall. They welcome and invite people to come in and have a look at our spaces. Located at both of our entrances, Hall Helpers will advise visitors on what’s happening in the Exhibition space and the rest of the hall, let people know about our shows, direct them to our Café, answer questions about the history of the building and give general advice about Manchester and the local area. Hall Helpers will also help in to look after and welcome any external groups using the Lounge and Exhibition spaces, as well as helping to keep these spaces looking tidy.
We’re looking for friendly and approachable people to be a part of this welcoming team and help create a warm and inclusive atmosphere in the Hall. You will act as an ambassador for the Royal Exchange Theatre and be confident helping our diverse community and all members of the public. A typical Hall Helpers session will last 3 hours either from 11am-2pm or 2-5pm and there are 2x Hall Helpers at each entrance. There will be flexible sign up for sessions and you sign up to as many or as little sessions as you like.
Exhibitioners
The Engagement team have excitingly repurposed the old shop into a brand-new Exhibition space. This space will showcase and highlight all the incredible work the Engagement team does, as well as being a space that our community partners can use to display their projects. Exhibitioners will help with the take down and set up of Exhibitions and helping to dress the space to be an inviting place that visitors will want to look around.
We’re looking for people who have a keen eye for interior spacing and how to make a room come to life. You will need to have a creative imagination whilst being mindful of health & safety risks. We want to hear your ideas on how we can make this space great. Exhibition support will be less frequent, with Exhibitions being turned over roughly once every 6 weeks. Sessions will last around 1-2hrs depending on the type of support needed for the Exhibition.
Cabinet Curators
We have a great opportunity to display some of the incredible items we have in our archives and want to bring back some buzz around the building by using the glass cabinets around the Great Hall. The cabinets will contain engaging, exciting and factual content around the current show whether it be past productions of the same name, the same director or a key theme.
We’re looking for people who have experience or are looking to gain experience in curation and content writing. Liaising with the archive volunteers, you’ll need to have an eye for interesting items and facts, as well as creative ideas on how to use the spaces. Content creation and set up will happen in line with the show and expect sessions to be around 2hrs per week.
Ad Hoc Projects
Throughout the year we will have plenty of ad hoc projects that we will need support on. These will really vary in requests and time input but are always a unique and fun way to get involved with the Royal Exchange Theatre! Some previous examples of projects we’ve needed volunteer support on are: Arts Pot donation change counting, creating Christmas decorations for the Great Hall, supporting on creative activities for The Den and making table cloths for the café.
Volunteering is an unpaid role but we want to encourage as many people as possible to get involved. If there are any payment barriers in place e.g cost of travel which may stop you from applying, you will be able to apply for Arts Pot funding to help with these costs. Volunteers can also receive 2 free tickets per show (not valid on Friday/Saturday performances or matinees) and 20% discount at our cafés and bars, as well as be invited to exclusive volunteer socials and events. To apply, please complete the Volunteer Interest form on our website and send to engagement@royalexchange.co.uk and complete the Equality, Diversity and Monitoring form here by Thursday 8th February at 5pm.
