Our venue wouldn’t be what it is without the dedication, energy, and enthusiasm of our volunteers. From welcoming audiences to supporting the venue behind the scenes, volunteers play a vital role in bringing our community space to life.
Whether you’re passionate about the arts, looking to gain new skills, meet new people, or give back to your local community, volunteering with us is a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
WHY VOLUNTEER WITH US?
Volunteering at The Gateway Theatre offers a unique opportunity to be part of a creative and welcoming environment. We pride ourselves in ensuring each and every one of our volunteers are cared for, appreciated and most importantly enjoy their time with us. Our volunteers often tell us they love:
Being part of our events and ensuring every audience member is welcomed
Meeting like-minded people and becoming part of a community
Gaining confidence and transferable skills
Learning how a working theatre operates
Supporting arts and culture in their local area
No previous theatre experience is needed — just enthusiasm, reliability, and a willingness to help.
While our roles are unpaid, volunteers are able to enjoy complimentary tickets, Invitations to volunteer social events and training sessions plus being part of a friendly, creative team.
VOLUNTEER ROLES
We offer a range of volunteer roles to suit different interests and availability. Explore the opportunities we have available below.
Our Front of House volunteers play one of the most important roles in our venue. They are often the first people our audiences meet, creating a warm and friendly first impression by greeting visitors with a smile and helping them feel welcome from the moment they arrive.
This role involves a variety of duties before, during, and after performances, including:
Scanning and checking tickets, welcoming audience members, and answering any questions they may have about the venue or the performance.
Ushering, which includes helping audiences find their seats, monitoring the auditorium during performances, and supporting a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Preparing for events, such as setting up seating plans, checking signage, ensuring public areas are clean and tidy, and helping the venue run smoothly.
Front of House volunteering is ideal for those who enjoy working with people, being part of a team, and contributing to a positive theatre experience for all visitors.
Our Bar & Cafe volunteers support audience members once they have been welcomed into the venue, providing an efficient, friendly service and helping to ensure everyone has an excellent experience during their visit. Working closely as part of a team, volunteers play a key role in creating a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere before performances and during intervals.
This role involves a variety of duties before, during, and after performances, including:
Bar operation, providing service of soft and alcoholic drinks in our fully licensed bar, in line with licensing regulations.
Cafe operation, supporting selected events by serving hot drinks and snacks when required.
Stocking and maintenance, including ensuring bar and cafe areas are fully stocked ahead of live events and kept clean, organised, and presentable throughout.
Bar & Cafe volunteering is ideal for those who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, are customer-focused, and like being part of a lively and social team.
Our Box Office volunteers play a vital role in supporting audiences before they even arrive at the theatre. Acting as a key point of contact for visitors, they provide helpful, friendly service and ensure ticketing and enquiries are handled smoothly and efficiently.
This role involves a range of duties before, during, and after performances, including:
Selling and issuing tickets, both in person and on the phone, using the theatre’s box office system.
Answering audience enquiries, including performance information, seating options, access requirements, and general venue queries.
Supporting arrivals on performance days, such as preparing ticket lists, handling collections, and liaising with Front of House staff.
Administrative support, including basic data entry, cash handling, and end-of-day checks where required.
Box Office volunteering is ideal for those who are organised, confident communicating with the public, comfortable using computer systems, and enjoy providing clear, helpful customer service. Full training and ongoing support are provided.
Our Technical & Projection volunteers support the behind-the-scenes elements that help bring performances and events to life. Working closely with the technical team, volunteers assist with lighting, sound, and projection, helping to ensure each event runs smoothly and safely.
This role involves a variety of duties before, during, and after performances, including:
Technical support, assisting with the setup, operation, and pack-down of lighting, sound, and audiovisual equipment.
Projection support, including setting up and operating projectors and playback systems for films, presentations, and live events.
Event preparation, such as checking equipment, running basic tests, and helping prepare the technical space ahead of performances.
Health and safety support, ensuring equipment is handled correctly and work areas are kept safe and organised.
Technical & Projection volunteering is ideal for those with an interest in theatre technology, film, or live events. Some roles may require basic technical knowledge, but full training and support are provided, and there are opportunities to develop new skills and experience in a theatre environment.
Our Marketing volunteers help spread the word about our performances, events, and activities, playing an important role in growing and engaging our audiences. Working alongside the marketing team, volunteers support creative and promotional work that helps bring people through our doors.
This role involves a variety of duties, including:
Supporting promotional campaigns, helping to share information about upcoming shows and events.
Social media support, assisting with creating, scheduling, or sharing content across platforms.
Content creation, including writing short pieces, taking photographs, or supporting video content where appropriate.
Distribution of marketing materials, such as posters, flyers, and digital listings.
Audience engagement, helping to promote events within the local community.
Marketing volunteering is ideal for those with an interest in marketing, communications, or the arts, and for anyone who enjoys being creative and engaging with audiences. This role offers the opportunity to develop practical skills and gain experience in arts marketing, with guidance and support provided.
Our Maintenance volunteers help keep the theatre safe, welcoming, and in good working order for audiences, performers, and staff. Working behind the scenes, this role supports the upkeep of the building and ensures the venue is ready for performances and events.
This role involves a variety of duties, including:
General maintenance tasks, such as basic repairs, painting, and minor fix-it jobs around the venue.
Venue preparation, helping set up spaces ahead of performances, events, and rehearsals.
Health and safety support, including identifying and reporting maintenance issues and ensuring areas are safe and accessible.
Outdoor and front-of-house upkeep, such as keeping entrances, walkways, and public areas clean and well presented.
Maintenance volunteering is ideal for those who enjoy practical, hands-on work and take pride in maintaining buildings and spaces. Tasks are suitable for a range of abilities, and all work is carried out with appropriate guidance and safety procedures in place.
BECOME A VOLUNTEER TODAY
Volunteering with us is a fantastic way to get involved in your local theatre, meet new people, and help bring live performances to life. Whether you have a few hours a month or can commit more regularly, every contribution is valued and makes a real difference.
Our volunteers take on a variety of roles, from welcoming audiences and serving refreshments to supporting technical, marketing, and behind-the-scenes activities. No previous experience is required — full training and support are provided, and we’ll work with you to find a role that suits your interests and availability.
We are committed to making volunteering accessible and inclusive. If you have any access requirements or would like to discuss adjustments, please let us know when you get in touch.
Ready to get started? Complete the form below, and a member of our team will contact you to discuss opportunities, answer any questions, and guide you through the next steps. We look forward to welcoming you to our volunteer community!