Volunteer at Expressions, our celebration of inclusive dance
Are you D/deaf or disabled and passionate about inclusive dance? Want to be a part of Expressions but being on stage isn’t for you? Meet like-minded people while supporting the event as a member of the Front of House volunteer team.
Why volunteer at Expressions?
- You will be supporting the only inclusive dance platform in Leeds, and helping dancers from across Yorkshire and beyond showcase their work to an audience.
- You’ll meet new people and make new friends. Volunteers join us from across Leeds to support performances in our studio theatre and you’ll also get to know staff across the different teams working at Northern Ballet.
- Learn new skills and develop your confidence. You will be welcoming members of the public into the Northern Ballet building and helping them to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Before Expressions, there will be training sessions to help you practice your new skills. No previous experience is required to take part.
- You’ll have loads of fun! Expressions really is a celebration, and you’ll get to watch brilliant dance performances. Expect music from your favourite films and musicals, and all styles of dance from disco to contemporary. Described as ‘inspiring’, ‘moving’ and ‘fun’, Expressions will have you dancing in your seat.
What will you be doing?
- Led by our Front of House Duty Manager you will work in a team to provide excellent and inclusive customer service to participants and audiences at Expressions.
- Welcome people on arrival, provide them with a programme, check their tickets and show them to their seats.
- You will learn some Makaton signs so that we can say ‘hello’ to everyone coming to the show.
- Help people to find the chill out room, changing room, and hand out ear defenders as needed.
- Make sure people know they are at a Relaxed Performance and what that means.
- Ask people to complete feedback forms to let us know if they enjoyed Expressions.
When do you need to be available?
- 17 May, 6 – 8.30pm – This is our recruitment day.
You will come to Northern Ballet to meet some of the team and other people interested in volunteering. We’ll tell you all about Expressions and some of the tasks you would do as a volunteer.
The first step to being an amazing Front of House volunteer is knowing what it’s like to be in the audience, so you will watch a performance in our studio theatre.
- 20 June, 2.45 – 6.30pm – This is your first training day.
If you decide you would like to take part, you will come to Northern Ballet with all the new volunteers and we will go through all of the tasks you will do in your Front of House role.
- You will select one date between 24 June – 6 July during the application process – this is your second training day.
You will shadow other Front of House volunteers at a real performance and have a go at the tasks you feel comfortable with.
- Wednesday 12 at 1pm and 7pm and Thursday 13 July at 1pm and 7pm – Expressions takes place.
There will be four performances and you will join us to volunteer for at least 1 performance.
After Expressions, if you enjoyed volunteering with us, you will be invited to join our regular volunteer pool and will be invited to support at performances across the year in our studio theatre.
How to apply?
- This opportunity is open to D/deaf and disabled people as we acknowledge that D/deaf and disabled people are under represented in our volunteer pool and wider staff.
- This opportunity is only open to people ages 18 years and above.
- You must be available for the Recruitment Day, Training Day 1 and 2, and 1 performance of Expressions.
- Please complete this short form to give us a bit of information about you
Other useful information
- Front of House volunteers are not paid for their time. If you volunteer for us for 4 hours or more on one day, you will receive a free drink and sandwich at our café.
- On performance days you will be offered a car parking space at Northern Ballet. On the recruitment day and training days we will be able to cover your travel expenses.
- There’ll be plenty of biscuits and hot drinks.
- The Northern Ballet building has a wide range of accessible features including being wheelchair accessible. To find out more visit our Accessibility webpage or contact Sam Moore on Expressions@northernballet.com
Have a question?
You can contact us by calling 0113 220 8000 and asking for Sam Moore in the Learning team. Please note Sam doesn't work in the office every day, but if you leave a message with Reception she will get back to you.
You can also email us on Expressions@northernballet.com