Have you…

• Ever supped with Santa?
• Been ushered to a seat in the Children’s Theatre?
• Jammed at the Spring Jam?

Then you have met ENCORE!, one of the most active volunteer organizations in the local arts community. ENCORE! is comprised of almost 300 individuals of all ages and backgrounds who play a vital role in the theatre’s success. In addition to ushering at performances, ENCORE! coordinates Supper With Santa and Santa’s Bag, two of our largest annual fundraising and charity events. They also plan and host the Spring Jam (Children’s Theatre’s annual gala), our annual Tennis Tournament and the Sweet Arts Brunch.

ENCORE! Members enjoy special benefits, too, like priority processing for tickets and classes. If you’re interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities with ENCORE! check the appropriate box on your order form or contact Cristi Carras, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 704-973-2806.

CLICK HERE for a printable application
to join ENCORE! or renew your ENCORE! membership.

2008-2009 Volunteer Committee Descriptions 

General ENCORE! Committees

CHILDREN’S ART (Kamie Rudisill and Dorothy Smith)
This is a very flexible commitment.  Committee members contact area schools to collect artwork that supports the theme of Main Stage plays in the McColl Family Theatre, as well as for the holiday and summer seasons.  This committee consults with the Volunteer Coordinator to schedule collecting and displaying artwork.  Each committee member chooses performances that best fit her schedule for the pick up, display and return of artwork during daytime hours. (August - May)

ENCORE! BOUTIQUE (Jenkie Atkinson and Karen Miller)
This committee operates the boutique during the Fall Membership Coffee, Santa’s Bag, and Supper with Santa.  Members need to attend 3 workshops in the fall to unpack and price merchandise. The committee may meet once or twice in the spring to price items for the Spring Luncheon, if necessary.  During Santa’s Bag, members are required to work 3 or 4 three-hour morning or evening shifts in the shop.  Shift assignments are made on a first-come first-served basis.  Committee members get to buy early and benefit from great markdowns right before the holidays.  In preparation for Santa’s Bag, there will be some pricing workshops and a set-up day in addition to the concentrated time commitment December 1st – 6th.  Committee members should not choose to serve on another Santa’s Bag committee.

PATRON’S PARTY (Mary Martha Beecy and Patty Funderburg)
This committee plans, executes and serves as hostesses for a “Thank You” party for Theatre Patrons and their families.  Includes designing invitations, decorating at ImaginOn, and preparing and/or buying and serving food at the event.  The committee will meet to assign party planning responsibilities.  This is a very popular and fun occasion for our Patrons and their families.  We are planning a Saturday afternoon party centered around the Theatre’s production of “A Year with Frog and Toad” .   You must be present for the party and dress in the theme of the play.   Date: Saturday, January 31st, 2009.

MAILING  (Ellen Holland and Kelly Young)
The mailing committee provides support to Volunteer Coordinator and Children’s Theatre staff with various ENCORE! mailings throughout the year.  All work is done at ImaginOn and scheduling will be very flexible. Responsibilities include folding, stuffing, labeling and sealing envelopes.  Each committee member will be required to attend four mailing shifts out of approximately eight to choose from.   There are morning and evening mailing meetings scheduled.  A great way to meet and chat with fellow ENCORE! members.  (September - May)

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
(2008 - Katie Charlebois and Nancy Targgart    2009 – Anne Shea and Debbie Starling)
Each committee member will be assigned a group of new members to help through their first year in ENCORE! by keeping them informed of events and making them feel welcomed.  Other responsibilities include planning and executing the Fall Membership Coffee, recruiting at least six new members, making personal contacts with prospective members, and sending out membership packets in March, 2009.  This committee will work periodically through the year and is not open to new members.  We request that members not serve two consecutive years.  (September - May)

OFFICE (Chairs TBD)
The office committee provides support to the administrative staff of CTC at ImaginOn in a variety of ways. No technical skills required.  Each committee member works one 90-minute shift per month.  All work is done at ImaginOn during the day, and includes such activities as covering the CTC reception desk during monthly Staff Meetings and assistance during some Board meetings.  A great way to learn first hand about CTC and get to know the people that make it work!  (September - May)

SPRING JAM COMMITTEE  (Susan Calton and Lynn Crutchfield)
This committee plans and executes the Theatre’s largest annual “friend”-raiser and fundraiser to support programming for Children’s Theatre.  Includes working with Development Director and Volunteer Coordinator on soliciting and securing corporate sponsorships and recruiting host couples, selecting the event site, menu planning, designing invitations, decorating, and having fun!   Short meetings start in the fall, with time commitment concentrated near the event date in spring. Tentative Date: March, 2009

SPRING BRUNCH & AUCTION (Catherine Hensley and Virginia Sutton)
Committee members will plan and host a brunch and silent auction in a member’s home.  If you love to cook or can at least follow a recipe, your efforts will be appreciated.  Responsibilities include soliciting four - five items for the silent auction, cooking for the brunch and working on the day of brunch.  Be in on planning a great morning of ENCORE! fellowship and shopping!  All proceeds benefit CTC programs. (Tentative date: April, 2009)

TENNIS TOURNAMENT (Sydney Coffin, Jenny Merlo, and Elizabeth Vaughn)
If tennis is your game, or you just want to have a great morning outdoors, then this committee is for you.  This committee plans and executes a women’s doubles tournament and luncheon in the spring.  The level 3 & 4 tournament is open to area doubles players, ENCORE! members, and friends!  Committee members are responsible for collecting door prizes, refreshments, facilitating the catered lunch, and for set-up and clean-up on game day.  (Tentative date: May, 2009)

Ushering Committees
(Cammie Anderes, Jennie Hawes, Jennifer Mauze, Sarah Prochaska, Becky Stowe)

USHERING - SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Do you enjoy the performances at Children’s Theatre and want a Monday – Friday volunteer position?  Then this is the committee you want!  At our first and only committee meeting you will select six weekday mornings that fit your schedule to usher at ImaginOn.  Time commitment is from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Please note that you need to stay through the entire performance when you usher.  Parking underneath ImaginOn is free of charge while you are ushering the school shows (based on availability).  This committee fulfills all ENCORE! committee and ushering requirements.  (September - May).

USHERING PUBLIC PERFORMANCES
If you love to usher and need a night or weekend committee, this is perfect for you.  You will usher at six performances of your choice fulfilling all ENCORE! committee and ushering requirements.  Perfect for members with full time jobs.   Please note that you need to stay through the entire performance when you usher.  Some weekend placements may involve two shows.  Time commitment is anywhere from 3 – 5 hours per shift.  Great placement if you have a child over age 8 who wants to see the performance while you perform your ushering duties, or teens who may want to usher alongside you!  (September – May)

Santa’s Bag Sub-Committees                                                                  

SANTA’S ELVES (Elizabeth Langston, Mary Lunsford)
This committee makes the magic happen at Santa’s Bag.  Committee members will help set-up OR take-down Santa’s Bag and will commit to a minimum of three 3-hour elf shifts during the hours of Santa’s Bag.  Elves will be responsible for assisting children as they shop and visit with Santa, restocking gift items, and spreading good cheer.  Some evening elfing shifts will be available.  Time commitment is intense during the week of Santa’s Bag but the responsibilities are heartwarming and fun.  Sign up with your friends!  (Set-up:  Nov. 22nd – 24th   and/or 29th; Take-down:  Dec. 8th; Santa’s Bag: Dec. 1st – 6th)

SUPPER WITH SANTA (Katharine Cowan and Lisa Neely)
Get in the holiday spirit and see the children light up when they meet Santa and Rudolph! There will be two “suppers” on Saturday, December 6th, at 11:30am and 4:30 pm, and this committee is responsible for planning all phases of the event including attending both “suppers”.  Additional responsibilities include making nametags and preparing snacks for the adult receptions.  Committee meetings September - November, concentrated work weekend, including set-up and take-down: December 5th – 6th.

TRIM-A-TREE DECORATING (Karen Cotchett)
Transform the Wachovia Playhouse in ImaginOn into a magical Christmas wonderland with trees, garlands and wreaths.  This is a very concentrated time commitment but also flexible for working members as some weekend shifts are needed.  Committee members will need to be available before Thanksgiving to decorate and after New Years to take decorations down.  A great way to get into the Christmas spirit!  Decorating/ Take-down dates are: Saturday- Tuesday Nov. 22nd – 24th, December 8th, and/or January 5th.

WORKSHOPS (Rebecca Canady, Katie Charlebois)
This committee is responsible for the sorting, bagging, and tagging of items that will be sold at Santa’s Bag.  There will be workshops scheduled from June through November and each committee member will be asked to work at four of the workshops of her choice, as well as one “elf” shift during Santa’s Bag.   Time commitment for each workshop is approximately 3 hours.  This committee is a great way to meet fellow ENCORE! members and socialize. (June – November)

CLICK HERE for a printable application
to join ENCORE! or renew your ENCORE! membership.

Encore! Membership
includes these benefits:

• Meet and work with other volunteers with common interests.
• Receive four (4) ticket vouchers good for general admission tickets to any performance in the 2008-2009 season.
• Opportunity to register for education classes and summer camps prior to the general public.
• Priority reservations for Supper with Santa and private shopping hours for Santa’s Bag.
• Invitations to the following social events:
  • Fall Membership Coffee
  • Santa’s Bag
  • Supper with Santa
  • Spring Brunch & Auction
  • Spring Jam
  • Women’s Doubles Tennis Tournament
• Opportunity to work with one of the most successful and fun arts organizations in our community.

Membership Requirements

• Pay dues of $50.00.
• Work as an active member on at least one of 16 committees (see left).
• Usher three times during the year.  Ushering involves arriving one hour prior to a performance, taking tickets as the audience enters the theatre, directing the audience to their seats and remaining in the theatre for the entirety of the performance.  An ushering shift averages 3-4 hours.
• New members only:
  Work one 3-hour shift (Summer or Fall) at one of Santa’s Bag Workshops, and one 3-hour shift as a Santa's Bag Elf.  This is a great way to meet new people while learning about ENCORE!’s oldest and dearest tradition, Santa’s Bag.

CLICK HERE for a printable application to join ENCORE! or renew your ENCORE! membership.