BLT always needs people to audition for shows, but it is also wonderful having new faces join our "behind the scenes" team. Being a part of the theatre can involve much more than acting in a show. Theaters require a large base of volunteers to assist with needs as varied as ad sales, set construction and costume design.  So if your talents lie in areas other than performing, don't think the theater is not for you.   Being a part of the crew can be as great as being a part of the cast! A show is only as good as the crew that makes it all happen and brings it all together!

Now let's talk about some  areas of involvement that might interest you.

Set Building is very important because the scenery is what determines the mood for the whole show. It is the first and last thing that people see, and without it the telling of the story would be much more difficult. Set construction is nearly always done on the weekends and doesn't take up a lot of time. Generally, most of the day Saturday and perhaps a little time on Sunday afternoon are called for. Some help the whole time and others for a few hours. It is fun because the crew must be creative in designing and building which is quite different from regular construction. One of BLT's biggest needs is finding people who enjoy woodworking and building things. Great satisfaction is experienced by those who use their talents to make a set come alive, helping produce a successful show.

You might find it plundering through your attic or antiquing early one Saturday morning, but very often someone else's junk is BLT's treasure.  Plays always need props.  Even Our Town has a few.  Probably more than any other aspect, props complete the show.  It is hard to imagine someone talking on the phone when no phone is there or sipping tea from an imaginary cup.  The props coordinator makes the set and the play come to life by finding the items characters need for their "lives" on stage.  The props work begins the minute the show goes into rehearsal, because temporary or working props are generally needed in the blocking, or staging, process.  Sometimes props are made, but often they are ordinary household items than can be purchased or borrowed.  If you have a knack for knick-knacks, working with props is the area for you!

Costuming makes a show complete.  Most actors agree that they don't truly feel in character until they "suit up" in their costume.  Costuming can be a fun and surprisingly easy way to get involved in theater.  If you know how to darn a sock or iron a hem, then you possess all the talent necessary to help out around the BLT costume shop.  Of course, we are always looking for expert tailors, seamstresses and designers, but we can put anyone interested in costuming to work.  BLT is also happy to take that old clothing off your hands as well.  If it has been hanging in your closet for more than one season without seeing the light of day, than it is probably time to pass that little article along to BLT.  Clothes of all styles, fabrics, and design are always needed around the theater.  BLT also loves donations of fabric, curtains, sheets and assorted linens.

So a play doesn't have a camera, but it does need lights and action!  The technical aspects of a play most vital to its final, polished look are lighting and sound.  Lighting encompasses the hanging stage lights, as well as any effect lighting used on the set.  The lighting designer has to select colors that work well with the costuming and set as well as with the mood of the play.  The lighting technician is responsible for running the lighting board during technical rehearsals and the show.  The technician is also the person responsible for bringing the director's and the designer's visions to "light".  At BLT we are very fortunate to have a board member who is also an accomplished disc jockey and sound designer.  Randy Holmes has been extremely generous with his time and with his design abilities.  So if you are interested in the technical aspects of sound and you want to learn from a pro, come work on a BLT show with Randy as your teacher.  Randy works the director to establish the sound of the play.  He finds or creates unique sound effects and also coordinates pre-show and intermission music.  Randy also runs the sound board during a performance, carefully watching and listening for dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of cues in a show.  Lighting and sound truly polish a production by adding depth and ambience.  If you have a keen eye and/or ear, this area of production is for you.

So you know everyone in the area and you were top salesmen of the month at work!  Well, then BLT needs your expertise to get the word out.  One of the most overlooked, but crucial areas of production is publicity and marketing.  When theaters don't fill seats for performances, the hard work put into all other areas of production is sadly not seen.  Theaters everywhere are faced with the problem of tight budgets and limited staff members.  This usually has the greatest effect on the organization's marketing efforts.  The area of publicity and marketing is an area where every theater lover can be involved.  Distribute flyers, help with direct mail campaigns, call friends and family and invite them to a show.  In other words, spread the news about the joys and wonders of live theater and about our great organization BLT.  If you fancy yourself a budding writer and would like to help with press releases or newspapers articles or if you enjoy graphic design and would like to help with the development of a show's marketing plan, please volunteer your time.  We always have people to reach and seats to fill!