1. art and entertainment
2. theatre

TS
C
LAND
FOR T
H
AR
MID
TER
E
VOLUNTEER
NEWSLETTER
EN
Valued
olunteers
FROM TONY’S DESK
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
What a summer it has been! Did you know that over
35 teen volunteers have assisted at more than 100
camps and classes? Additionally, Center Stage Theatre
held their annual Encore Awards celebration, dozens
of you joined us for the Summer Art Fair and HandsOn History Weekends at our museums, and it was
a blast to limbo and hula with many of you at our
Volunteer Appreciation Luau on July 29!
Center Stage Theatre recently held its “Encore
Awards” to acknowledge the many volunteers who
work both on stage and behind the scenes. Here are
the major award recipients for our 2013-2014 season:
Change Coming!
I am pleased to announce a new and exciting
change for our volunteers. A change that means a
new form of communication, and the end of this
quarterly newsletter. You guessed it! We’re launching
a Volunteer page on our MCFTA website – starting
November 1!
A traditional newsletter limited us to communicating
with our valued volunteers only four times per year.
This made it impossible to ensure the latest needs
were made known to our 800+ volunteers in a timely
manner.
The new webpage will let you view our most up-todate volunteer opportunities and provide feedback
whenever you like. With the click of a mouse you’ll
be able to sign up for the spots that interest you,
and expand your volunteering horizons!
We’ll still send periodic emails letting you know
about specific needs and reminding you to check
the website. And, I’m always happy
to discuss, either in person or by
phone, how we can put your time
and talents to good use.
~ Tony Serra
Volunteer and Donor
Services Manager
Serrat@mcfta.org
989-631-5930 x 1215
PS: Use the shortcut
www.mcfta.org/volunteers
to go straight to our new
Volunteer page. Look for it
starting November 1!
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014
JO HARRIGAN CAREER
AWARD: Susie Polito
CAPARON AWARD FOR
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE:
Mary Jane Wagner
THE WEE KINDERSPIEL
AWARD: Karen &
Mark Bradford
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE
OF THE YEAR: Les Misérables,
directed by Carol Rumba
Susie Polito
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Taste of Volunteering
September 17 • 6:30 – 8:30 pm
January 14, 2015 • 6:30 – 8:30 pm
New and current
volunteers can explore
exciting opportunities
and meet new friends
during this overview,
which includes a special
volunteer-related building
tour! Come learn about
volunteering onstage and
behind the scenes, singing
in our choirs, helping in
the museums, and much,
much more!
Meet in the Saints &
Sinners Lounge.
For ages 12 and up.
Space is limited, and preregistration is appreciated.
Reserve your spot with the
Ticket Office: 800-523-7649.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
ALDEN B. DOW MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & ART
Contact Emmy Mills: Mills@mcfta.org | 631-5930 x 1401
AREA PLANNING
Friday afternoon/evening: Help staff mark booth
areas in lobby
Time commitment: 2- to 3-hour slots on Friday
REGISTRATION
Help assemble & deliver artist information packets
November 22 • 9 am – 5 pm
November 23 • 12 – 4 pm
Time commitment: Friday afternoon & 8 – 10 am on
Saturday
HOSPITALITY
Greet and provide breaks for artists
SWEET SHOP BAKE SALE
Help package and sell treats!
Time commitment: 2-hour slots on Saturday & Sunday
INFORMATION
Greet visitors & answer their questions
Time commitment: Friday afternoon & 2-hour slots on
Saturday & Sunday
Time commitment: 2-hour slots on Saturday & Sunday
CENTER STAGE THEATRE
Contact Katy Gaertner: Gaertner@mcfta.org | 631-5930 x 1245
Upcoming Auditions:
IN FIELDS WHERE THEY LAY (OFF-CENTER STAGE)
CASTING FORUM
September 25 • 7 pm
Appropriate for new or seasoned directors. Taught by
Laura Brigham, a casting director with over 100 credits.
GRIMSTONE’S GLORY (YOUTH CAST)
FREE! Reserve your spot with the Ticket Office: 800-523-7649.
THE MOMOLOGUES
BACKSTAGE PASS
October 5 • 1 – 4 pm
February 22, 2015 • 1 – 4 pm
Learn about the behind-the-scenes
details that go into producing a
show from the Center Stage Staff.
Perfect for beginners who
want to learn more about
the magic of theatre!
HOLES (PEANUT GALLERY)
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Complete audition details at www.mcfta.org/auditions.
Backstage Opportunities
SHREK THE MUSICAL DROPIN BUILD OPPORTUNITIES!
August 19 & 26 • 1 – 9 pm
September 4 & 11 • 1 – 9 pm
Our set designers have
dreamed up a kingdom far,
far away – and we need YOUR
help to make it happen! This
is a drop-in event; feel free to
come and go as your schedule
allows, and bring friends and
family! No skills required.
Wear close-toed shoes & clothing that can get dirty.
Ages 16 and up only.
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014
FREE! Reserve your spot with
the Ticket Office: 800-523-7649.
STAGE MANAGEMENT FORUM
October 7 • 7 pm
Current and interested Stage
Managers are invited to this
roundtable discussion.
Facilitated by Kristen O’Connor
and Katy Gaertner.
FREE! Reserve your spot with the
Ticket Office: 800-523-7649.
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
EDUCATION
Contact Sarah Brandt: Brandt@mcfta.org | 631-5930 x 1299
Shadow Box Workshop
People Dancing Saturday
Craft assistants
Ticket taker
American Girl Fashion Show –
a fundraiser for youth
Study Sketch Sculpt Saturday
September 27 • 9:45 am – 1 pm
November 15 • 12:30 – 1:45 pm
December 6 • 11 am – 12:30 pm
Volunteers needed September 29 – October 12!
Craft assistants
Contact: Fashionshow@mcfta.org with your interests in
the following areas:
Education Program Presenters
• Assistant model coordinators
• Assistant stage manager
• Greeter/model check-in station
• Costume fitters
• Prepare goodie bags
• Raffle table
• Post-show clean-up
Backstage volunteers for this event must be women.
October 18 • 11 am – 2 pm
Volunteer opportunities include:
• Grandstand activities:
5 – 10 volunteers
• Team and staff refreshment
zone: 2 – 4 volunteers
• Distance markers: 5 volunteers
Located at Midland County Fairgrounds
HOLIDAY DECORATING
Help create holiday wonderlands for our visitors!
Bradley Home Decorating
2014-2015 School Year
Do you have a love for science or history that you’d
enjoy sharing with local students? Our Education
Department has programs that travel to schools
and we’re looking for volunteers with advanced
communication skills, and the ability to effectively
present information to students grades K – 9. Specific
program training provided. Teaching and/or group
management experience is helpful.
You must pass a criminal background check and have
reliable transportation.
• Chemistry
• Anatomy
• Astronomy
This
• Art
could be
• Static Electric Energy
YOU!
• Clay/Pottery
• Historic (Civil War)
“INTERMISSION” THE MUSEUM STORE
Contact Tony Serra: Serrat@mcfta.org
631-5930 x 1215 to schedule an initial interview
Third week of November • TBD
Contact Stephanie Lewandowski
at Lewandowski@mcfta.org,
631-5930 x 1600 to sign up.
MCFTA Holiday Decorating
Early December • TBD
Contact Tony Serra at
Serrat@mcfta.org,
989-631-5930 x 1215 to sign up.
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014
Calling all interested Museum Store Volunteers!
We’re looking for individuals with these qualities:
• Strong customer service interest
• Enthusiastic team player
• Computer savvy
• Attention to detail
• Able to commit to at least two shifts per month
• Prior retail experience is not required
Does that sound like you? Give Tony a call!
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3
MIDLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Contact Stephanie Lewandowski: Lewandowski@mcfta.org | 631-5930 x 1600
Hands-On History
MCHS has exciting new programming and is looking
for volunteers to help make it happen!
On the third weekend of each month, Heritage Park
has themed, family-friendly activities to let visitors
explore, appreciate and conserve our unique local
heritage. Upcoming dates and topics are listed below!
VICTORIAN HEALTH: PATENT MEDICINES & QUACKS!
September 20, 2014
1874 Bradley Home
Photo by Al Kumm
COLLECTIONS & ARCHIVES
We are seeking detail-oriented individuals to assist with a
significant project of unpacking, shelving, and cataloging
thousands of artifacts.
GARDENS
Help maintain the gardens of Heritage Park for all our
visitors to enjoy.
THE CARRIAGE HOUSE COLLECTION
October 18, 2014
IT’S ABOUT TIME!
November 15, 2014
HOLIDAY REFLECTIONS
December 20, 2014
HOUSEKEEPING
The Bradley Home Museum needs housekeepers to
come in on a monthly basis to sweep, dust, vacuum, and
polish silver.
PHOTOGRAPHS
We are looking for individuals who enjoy sorting,
organizing and labeling photos of MCHS happenings.
We are also looking for photographers to capture the
current continuing changes in Midland County.
MIDLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Contact Tony Serra: Serrat@mcfta.org | 631-5930 x 1215
Help keep our symphony
sound!! The Midland
Symphony Orchestra
needs volunteers to help
throughout its season.
• Selling raffle tickets
at concerts
• Organizing guest artist
luncheons
• Lending a hand at MSO
fundraisers
Contact Tony to discuss your interests and availability.
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014
Heritage Park
AB Dow Museum and Museum Store
volunteer benefits:
• 6 hours = one free admission voucher to the Museum
• 15 hours = 50% off coupon for the Museum Store
• 20 hours = free Individual Membership ($55 value!)
• 30 hours = free Family Membership ($75 value!)
Thank you for all you do for Midland Center
for the Arts and your community!
DRAWING WINNERS
Drawings will resume in September with all-new
2014-2015 season prizes! Don’t forget to enter your
name into the drawing each time you volunteer at
MCFTA! Drawing boxes are located in the volunteer
break room, in the green rooms of both theatres, and
at the Midland County Historical Society! No matter
where you’re lending a hand, you have a chance to win!
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3