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Support Adventurous Art: Become a Volunteer!
Fringe Volunteers are at the heart of what makes this festival tick. You’ll gain valuable experiences, practice new skills, make tons of friends, and contribute to making our Festival one of the best in the world. In addition to our undying gratitude, Festival volunteers have the opportunity to earn a Fringe button and discount codes to see shows for free and get to sport an exclusive volunteer tee.
Whether you are a first-timer or a ten-year veteran, we can't wait to work with you! Check out our volunteer positions below for more detail on how volunteers make the festival go.
If you have a skill or a talent you'd like to put to use at Fringe, our Director of Audience & Volunteer Engagement would absolutely love to hear about it. You can reach us at volunteer@fringefestival.org.
Volunteer requirements
- 12-15 years old: You may volunteer as an usher at any of our age-appropriate shows. You will need to volunteer with a parent, guardian and/or other responsible adult. Both of you will need to submit separate volunteer registration forms -- ensure you list each other on the form. Finally, you and your parent/guardian will need to sign a festival waiver form for you to participate.
- 16-17 years old: You may volunteer at any of our age-appropriate shows. You and your parent/guardian will need to sign a festival waiver form for you to participate.
- 18 years old & up: You may volunteer in any of our front-of-house positions. You will need to sign a festival waiver form to participate.
Volunteer Jobs & Opportunities
All our summer festival volunteers receive an awesome volunteer t-shirt. Folks that help out for 3 or more shifts earn one ticket voucher for each shift they work (a shift is roughly 90 minutes of time and correlates to one performance slot). Volunteers can earn an exclusive volunteer button if they sign up for 6 or more shifts - remember, everyone needs a 2024 Fringe button so this is a great way to earn that for free! Every twelve shifts, volunteers earn a code to use on the website for a free show reservation. There are also opportunities to be showered with gratitude and win gift certificates and prizes.
All volunteers, even returners, must attend a training session to stay informed of this year’s policies and share their expertise!
This year, our biggest need is for incredible ushers!
Usher: As an Usher, your focus is engaging with patrons so they enjoy all aspects of their festival-going experience -- think of yourself as the House Manager’s strongest supporter and Fringe’s Unofficial Welcoming Committee! You will greet patrons, distribute programs, and take tokens as patrons enter the theater. You may need to assist patrons with mobility needs to their seats and provide other patron services. You may also be stationed around the venue to help greet and direct patrons, to help manage lines and crowds, and to assist the House Manager with whatever they may need. Ushers are also responsible for keeping the lobbies and seating areas tidy. Ushers may be stationed inside the theater during a performance and must be ready to assist patrons exiting or entering as needed. Usher shifts begin 45 minutes prior to showtime. We strongly encourage ushers to volunteer for multiple shifts in a row to help our House Managers with lower turnover! Ushers are required to attend volunteer training.
Ambassador: This year, new shifts will be available for folks willing to station themselves as a festival concierge. You’ll be stationed at our most popular spots to answer questions, engage with patrons, and help orient visitors to the festival! These shifts will be posted as we know more about the festival and can predict where and when these shifts will be needed.
Maverick: As a Fringe Maverick, you are our most versatile, flexible, and free-range volunteer. Mavericks sign up for the days/times/hubs when they can volunteer, and we send them where we need them the most. Like our Front of House Core Team who act as "Mobile Crisis Response People", you’ll get your assignment between 6-24 hours ahead of time. Mavericks should be very knowledgeable about the Festival and the organization, familiar with all volunteer positions, and flexible enough to swoop into any job at a moment’s notice. Mavericks are extremely adaptable volunteers who are always ready for an adventure, and who don’t mind moving from venue to venue or job to job within a hub. Mavericks should be comfortable taking on unusual tasks or added leadership at the request of staff (ie, training a new volunteer on the job, or acting as a volunteer fairy, delivering snacks to other volunteers and staff). Maverick assignments typically begin 45 minutes prior to showtime and are 3 hours in length. Mavericks are required to attend volunteer training.
Odd Jobs: Leading up to the Festival, we will have lots of opportunities to engage with us in different ways. We will need help in the office organizing passes and t-shirts, counting buttons, tabling at farmer's markets, assisting at Preview performances, and more. Look for those shifts in our volunteer newsletter and in the volunteer portal once it is up and running.
Group Volunteering: Together is better — and volunteering at Fringe is no exception! If you are looking to sign up your group of friends, artists, neighbors, co-workers, or book club members for a day of volunteering together, just email Volunteer Services at volunteer@fringefestival.org
No time, but still want to help?
Billeter: Help defray the touring costs of an out-of-town artist by providing lodging and a home base. As a billet host, you will open your home to performers from across the country and around the globe! Contact info@fringefestival.org to connect with our Artist Liaison, Amber Bjork. Find out more here.
*There are many opportunities available for those who wish to make a difference by donating their time to Fringe.
Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. If you need to cancel a volunteer obligation, contact the office and please give us as much notice as humanly possible.