Volunteer
Volunteer Information: Many volunteers are needed to bring First Night to the community. Volunteers are needed for sales, ushers, button checkers, stages and the children’s art area. It takes approximately 200 volunteers to produce First Night – so lend a hand for a few hours and receive free admission to First Night. Most volunteers serve in 2-hour shifts. To volunteer contact Lisa at the City of Columbia’s Volunteer Program 874-7499 or volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com
SITE CREW POSITIONS
Button & Product Sales: First Night admission buttons are sold along with and fun products at button sales locations. Two people work at the table throughout the night. You can sign up for a two hour shift so you still have plenty of time to enjoy the First Night events.
Ushers/Button Checkers: At each venue, button checkers make sure that folks coming into the venues are wearing their First Night buttons, and answer general questions about the event. Ushers are needed to move people in and out of venues.
Ambassadors: First Night Ambassadors have the very special job of assisting venues to make sure all our guests are having a wonderful evening. They serve as security people who watch for and report any problems to HQ and/or the police officers assigned to First Night, errand runners between the venues and HQ, and most importantly as friendly helpers for guests and volunteers. Ambassadors wear First Night jackets and use radios so they stand out in the crowd and are easily spotted.
STAGE CREW POSITIONS
Stage Hands: At each venue we need two stage hands ready to help the sound engineers move equipment and chairs, assist the musicians as they set up and be the “stage gophers”, making sure everything runs smoothly. Stage hands are needed from early in the day, helping with the sound checks in the afternoon as well as throughout the event. You can commit to a two or four hour shift, and we try to place stage crew at the stage you request, so you’ll enjoy the entertainment as well.
Stage Manager/Emcees: At each venue there is one stage manager/emcee who welcomes the performers to the stage, introduces the performers, announces sponsors and general announcements, makes sure the sound checks and the performances begin and end on time, and coordinates with the Director if any problems or questions arise. Being a stage manager/emcee means you work at the same venue the whole afternoon and evening (two emcees can split the night into 2 shifts). It’s a big commitment, and one that is truly appreciated by all the performers, sound engineers and steering committee.
Site Coordinators/Managers: For each venue at First Night there are one or two Site Coordinators who oversee the activities at the site, making sure things go smoothly and the venue space is taken care of, foot traffic flows smoothly between performances, and bathrooms are kept functional. They are the key contact person between First Night Headquarters and the venue. If any problem or questions arise with button/product sales (at some locations), they communicate with HQ to resolve the situation.
