OPPORTUNITIES
MEMBERSHIP
LTA owes the successes of its productions to all of its talented members. We welcome all theater enthusiasts willing to work including actors, backstage “techies,” set builders, designers, ushers, catering staff, and box office workers. See below for a list of ideas and opportunities.
We have various types of memberships including:
ACTIVE MEMBERS – $50 per year
Most of our members are Active members. If you have a skill, we can find a use for it. If you would like to develop a skill, we can help. Active membership includes both benefits and responsibilities. Members are asked to volunteer at least a few hours per year to the theater, participate in LTA’s annual meeting, and contribute annual dues of $50. In return, members receive the theatre’s newsletter, The Floodlight, eight times annually; one ticket to every production (that’s a mere $7.15 per ticket!); discounted fees for the Theatre’s education programs; a vote at annual meetings; and the opportunity to foster the arts in Alexandria. You’ll also have good times and find others with a common interest in the arts.
Click HERE to download a New Member Application.
Other types of memberships are also available:
SUPPORTING MEMBERS – $90 per year
Pressed for time, some choose to support the theatre financially. For these, we offer a Supporting Membership. Supporting members receive one ticket to each main stage show, as well as a subscription to The Floodlight.
Click HERE to download a Supporting Member Application.
JUNIOR MEMBERS – $30 per year
To build for the future, LTA offers those under the age of 18 the opportunity to become junior members. These younger members are encouraged to function as Active Members by working on productions and learning the craft of theater. Junior members are not permitted to vote at the annual meeting, but they receive all the other benefits of Active Members.
Click HERE to download a Junior Membership Application.
PERFORMING MEMBERS – $20 per show
All actors appearing on the LTA stage must be members. Because actors frequently work many different venues during the year, they are asked to become members for the period of the shows in which they have been cast. Their dues entitle them to one ticket to the show in which they are cast, The Floodlight, and discounted fees for the Theatre’s education programs. Performing Members do not receive a vote at annual meetings, but they are encouraged to consider becoming an Active Member.
Click HERE to download a Performing Membership Application.
If you would like to volunteer but not become a member of LTA click HERE for a volunteer application.
Questions? Contact us: mariabelle22@gmail.com.
DONATIONS
The Little Theatre of Alexandria is a 501c(3) organization. While we are able to cover our operating expenses by the income generated by our productions, we rely on the tax-exempt donations of individuals and groups to help us improve our building and purchase vital technical equipment. Donors are thanked by name in our playbills according to giving categories:
- Founding Fathers – $1,000 and above
- Continental Congress – $500 to $999
- Patriots – $250-$499
- Alexandrians – $100-$249
- Minutemen – $50-$99
- Colonists – $25-$49
To make a donation, call the Business Manager at 703-683-5778 x2 or download the donor form HERE and mail it in with payment.
Planning Your Gift
Have you considered including The Little Theatre of Alexandria as a beneficiary of your estate? We can suggest tools that will assist you in making plans that will support the artistic and education programs of LTA in the future, as well as provide your estate with tax benefits. For more information, the LTA Business Office at 703-683-5778.
VOLUNTEER
BACKSTAGE
If you would like to volunteer backstage for a production, please contact Tina McCrea: 703.683.5778 x1 or email tina@thelittletheatre.com
Sometimes hundreds of actors turn out to audition for a main stage production at LTA. Workers are needed to sign people in, provide information, and generally ensure everyone is where they need to be.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Minimal
Sometimes designing costumes for each performer is accomplished by simply pulling something from our costume room or personal sources. Other times, the costume designer may have to create entirely new costumes for most or all of the performers. If you have designing ability and would like to create costumes for a cast, this is a great opportunity. Working closely with the Producer and Director, the Costume Designer ensures that all performers are clad in attire appropriate to the story and setting all within a specific budget.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Varies
Every show must have lighting. The Lighting Designer, working with the Director, lights up the stage, sets the mood and adds special effects to make the production more exciting. Do we need a follow spot? Are special color effects required? Are certain areas specially lit? The position calls for a knowledge of lighting theory and light instruments. It also helps if this individual can climb a tall ladder.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Varies
Someone has to help the Lighting Designer hang and focus the lights as well as run our computerized light board during each performance. Cues are set by the Lighting Designer and called by the Stage Manager, but we need someone to actually push the buttons that make the lights appear. You get a great view of the performance!
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Minimal
Each production requires a makeup designer to ensure that the actors look good (or bad as the show requires). The makeup designer will coordinate all special makeup requirements, i.e., old age makeup, special effect makeup, and, when necessary, wigs and hair styling. The makeup designer and makeup crew are responsible for assisting or training the actors in applying the appropriate makeup.
Experience Required: None (Crew) to Moderate (Designer)
Time Commitment: Varies
The Master Electrician is the Lighting Designer’s right-hand man (or woman). He or she is responsible for rounding up the lighting crew and ensuring that the designer’s vision becomes a reality.
Experience Required: Moderate
Time Commitment: Varies
A prop is anything an actor touches on stage—a book, a cigarette, a sword, a cup, food—you name it. The prop designer gathers the props that the actors will need (from LTA’s extensive collection or from local stores) and ensures that they are ready and available for each performance (and some rehearsals). Props crew are also needed at each performance to get out, put away, and take care of each prop.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Varies (Minimal for Props Crew)
Set construction workers are responsible for implementing the set designer’s design and turning it into a real working environment for the actors. If you like to build stuff with power tools, this job is for you.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Varies
Once the set has been painted, it’s time to decorate! Set Decoration includes furniture, lamps, wall hangings, curtains, books, plants and other touches to make the set feel like home. Set decorators gather materials from LTA’s extensive selection and occasionally get to go shopping for new items. If you love interior designing with someone else’s budget, this is the job for you!
Experience Required: None to Moderate
Time Commitment: Minimal
Set Design
When the curtain opens, the first thing the audience usually sees is the set. Everything from walls, windows, doors, stairs, and sometimes even outdoor scenery must be designed and created. A Set Designer usually has some experience in architecture or related structural design.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Varies
Once the set has been built, it must be painted. This can vary anywhere from a solid color, a pattern to mimic wallpaper, or an intricate scenic design.
Experience Required: None to Moderate
Time Commitment: Minimal
Once the costumes are designed, they must be built. We have the sewing room and the machines, but we need experienced garment makers who can help create the dresses, suits, etc. used in our productions. Even when we use costumes from our costume room, they must be fitted to the performers. This is especially true for our large musicals that require many costumes. If you enjoy sewing and are willing to work with patterns, we urge you to volunteer for this department.
Experience Required: Moderate
Time Commitment: Varies
Yes, this almost always involves special sound effects such as a key turning in a door lock or a toilet flushing, but more importantly, it means music. Sound Designers should know something about music to be able to work with the Director to find just the right sounds and music to create the desired mood. This person also should be willing to learn how to use LTA’s state-of-the-art sound equipment. We are always looking for good sound people.
Experience Required: Moderate
Time Commitment: Varies
Every production uses some sound. It may be music played in the auditorium before the show, wireless microphones worn by the singers, or it could be sound effects played during the performance. Whatever it is, we need someone to actually run the sound equipment. You sit in the sound booth above the audience, wearing a headset to stay in contact with the Stage Manager who will be calling the cues. You will attend rehearsals and run the sound for several performances during the run of the show. No previous experience is necessary; we will train you.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Minimal
During the run of the show, we need people backstage to assist with “quick changes” and to fix costumes when they lose a button or are torn. The person in charge of wardrobe is also responsible for having costumes laundered or dry cleaned throughout the run of a show.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Minimal
PRODUCTION
If you would like to work on a production, please contact Tina McCrea: 703.683.5778 x1 or email tina@thelittletheatre.com
All of our musical productions require the involvement of an experienced choreographer to ensure that the actors and dancers know where and how to move. The Choreographer works closely with the Director to design all of the dances in a production and then teaches them to the cast. The Choreographer must also prepare and conduct a dance audition as a part of the audition process.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Extensive
The Music Director is a central figure in all of our musical productions. In collaboration with the Director, the Music Director selects the cast and the orchestra, teaches the music to the singers and to the orchestra and conducts the orchestra during all performances. This position requires an experienced musician with a background in both vocal and instrumental music.
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Extensive
Experienced Directors are always sought for our main stage productions. Directors are hired for each production after a rigorous interview process. For those interested in learning to direct, we can assign them to assist more experienced Directors, then give them a chance to try their skills on one of our one-act play productions. As a tradition, LTA tries to select at least two Directors each season who have not worked with us before (or at least for many years).
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Extensive
As with our Directors, Producers must be experienced people. We will, however, train new members who are willing to prepare themselves to produce shows in future seasons. The Producer is the CEO of the Production. The Producer hires the Designers and Crew Chiefs, keeps the show within budget, arranges meetings and handles all problems. The Producer is required to be at all rehearsals and every performance. If interested, we will assign you to assist an experienced Producer to learn the ropes (and meet the numerous people you will need to know for a successful production).
Experience Required: Moderate to Extensive
Time Commitment: Extensive
A stage manager gets involved in all aspects of a production because once the show opens, the stage manager is in charge. The Stage Manager attends rehearsals, works with the cast, discusses the light and sound cues with the designers and Director and ensures that everything and everyone is in place for each performance. The Stage Manager calls all of the cues, ensures that the cast members are in place during performances, opens the curtain and sometimes handles sound effect duties backstage. This is a position for which we will train someone. Be prepared to be very busy.
Experience Required: Moderate
Time Commitment: Extensive
The ASM is part of the management team of the production and is often needed in larger productions. The ASM is often stationed just offstage to facilitate communication between the stage manager and actors, as well as ensuring safety. The ASM often helps with complex set changes, quick changes offstage, or preparing the stage for performance.
Experience Required: Moderate
Time Commitment: Extensive
HOUSE MANAGERS & USHERS
If you would like to volunteer in these areas, please contact Diedre Nicholson-Lamb at dnicholsonlamb8@verizon.net
The House Manager plays an important role both before and throughout the performance. The House Manager prepares the theater for the arrival of the audience, supervises the ushers, answers questions from the audience, and assists patrons with special needs—including special headsets for the hearing impaired and special attention for patrons in wheel chairs. In coordination with the Stage Manager, the House manager makes sure that everything runs smoothly from the time the first patrons arrive until the curtain opens.
Notice: Volunteers for House Manager are expected to already be well-oriented to performing these duties and should not sign up before being trained. We offer orientation and training on a one-to-one basis or in group settings. If you want to have this orientation/training, please contact Lynn O’ Connell at lynnoconnellva@gmail.com. You will find your experience to go more smoothly if you are aware of what to expect. House Managers also oversee the Ushers and need to be aware of their duties.
Experience Required: Some
Time Commitment: Minimal
Extensive experience is not necessary for this volunteer work. However, we do invite you to participate in Front of House orientation before volunteering. Arrive on time before the show, stand at the door, take tickets and hand out Playbills. For intermission, Ushers assist with intermission snacks, are friendly and smile a lot. LTA needs two volunteer ushers for each performance. This is an easy commitment that allows you to get to know LTA and decide what other activities, if any, you may wish to become involved in.
Notice: Ushers are expected to be well oriented and should not sign up before being trained. We offer orientation and training on a one-to-one basis or in group settings. If you want to have this orientation/training, please contact Lynn O’ Connell at lynnoconnellva@gmail.com. You will find your experience to go more smoothly if you are aware of what to expect.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Minimal
Usher Sign Up List
Sign up to usher for any upcoming show this season by clicking on the show below
PARTY PLANNING
If you would like to volunteer in any of these areas, please contact Diedre Nicholson-Lamb: email at dnicholsonlamb8@verizon.net
If you love food and adore putting on a party, LTA has two opportunities for you. First, Opening Night is always a special event at the Little Theatre of Alexandria. Following the show, we have a gala black tie party on our Green Room. The host of the party, usually with a group of assistants, selects the menu, prepares the food, sets up and decorates the Green Room and cleans up after the party. You will have a budget for the food, and LTA will provide the drinks. If you like to plan parties for 150-200 people, this could be interesting. If you would prefer a smaller crowd, LTA puts on a dinner for the cast and crew of each production the Sunday before opening night (referred to as “Double Tech”). As with Opening Night, you would have a budget to work with and would prepare the food, set up the Green Room, and clean up—with the help of your assistants, of course!
Experience Required: Minimal
Time Commitment: Moderate
LTA has two opportunities to help with food service: Opening Night parties and Double-Tech dinners. Assist caterer at the Opening Night party with assembling hors d’oeurves, plate food, room set-up, passing food, managing the ovens, replenishing the buffet table and helping with clean up. Help set up the room and serve food for the Double-Tech dinner.
Experience Required: None – only a willing attitude
Time Commitment: Moderate
Bartenders are needed for our Opening Night parties and a few other parties throughout the year. Bartenders are required to set up and take down the bar, cut lemons and limes, serve simple mixed drinks as well as beer and wine and help get the room ready for a party.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Moderate
BOX OFFICE HELP
If you would like to volunteer in these areas, please contact Box Office Manager, Crissy Wilke: 703.683.5778 x1 or email crissy@thelittletheatre.com.
The LTA Box Office must be staffed by our Box Office volunteers during both the afternoon and evening office hours. Box Office volunteers should have good telephone communication skills, good manners and a calm demeanor to assist the public in the ticket booth or office on performance dates. Some training is required, but we are happy to work with anyone interested. No previous experience is necessary.
Experience Required: None
Time Commitment: Varies
Duties include answering phones, completing ticket orders, exchanging tickets, and handling any patrons that stop by the Box Office. Volunteers are needed Monday (1-3pm), Tuesday – Friday (1-4pm), and Saturday (1-4pm). No previous experience is needed but some training will be required for the ticketing software we use (Vendini).
Two volunteers are needed for each performance. One volunteer works the will call window, distributing tickets to patrons. Volunteers are needed Wednesday – Friday (7-9pm) and Sunday (2-4pm). No previous experience or training required.
Another volunteer is needed to work at the desk, completing ticket orders, exchanging tickets, reprinting ticket orders, answering the phone, and other box office related tasks. Volunteers are needed Wednesday – Saturday (7-9pm) and Sunday (1-4pm). No previous experience is needed but some training will be required for the ticketing software we use (Vendini).
Sign up to work in the Box Office for any upcoming show this season by clicking on the show below
OFFICE SUPPORT
Occasional office work is also available for mailings, data entry, and proof reading.
Experience Required: None to Moderate
Time Commitment: Varies
If you would like to volunteer to support with office functions, please contact: Crissy Wilke: 703.683.5778 x1 or email crissy@thelittletheatre.com.
JOIN A COMMITTEE
As an all volunteer organization, LTA depends on various committees to get things done. These committees are usually appointed by the President and approved by the Board of Governors. Committees meet weekly, monthly or quarterly depending on their tasks. LTA currently has the following standing committees:
ADVANCED PLANNING COMMITTEE
Given tasks by the President to review and recommend.
AWARDS STEERING COMMITTEE
Arranges for judges and all aspects of our annual awards program.
BUDGET COMMITTEE
Reviews the annual budgets submitted by the individual Governors and prepares an annual budget for approval by the Board of Governors.
COMPUTER COMMITTEE
Keeps us up to date with computer equipment and training.
DECORATING COMMITTEE
In charge of making our Theatre look good.
MARKETING COMMITTEE
Assists the Public Relations Governor with targeting marketing efforts for specific shows.
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER SELECTION COMMITTEE
Interviews prospective Directors and Producers.
MEMEBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Coordinates all activities regarding membership benefits, including Floodlight publication, membership parties, volunteer coordination, and membership renewals. Experience Required: None to Moderate. Time Commitment: Minimal
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Selects candidates for our annual elections.
ONE-ACT PLAY READING COMMITTEE
Read the new scripts received in our annual National One-Act Playwriting Competition and select the winners.
NEXTGEN COMMITTEE
The LTA Millennial Committee is a group of actors, techies, audience members, and lovers of theatre aged 18-40 who aim to provide events and programs surrounding LTA’s season for young professionals.
NEXTGEN COMMITTEE
The LTA NextGen Committee is a group of actors, techies, audience members, and lovers of theatre aged 18-40 who aim to provide events and programs surrounding LTA’s season for young professionals.
To sign up to receive information, invites and updates from LTA’s NextGen Committee, email nextgenlta@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events & Projects
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
PARTNERS IN ART
The Little Theatre of Alexandria extends a warm welcome to any organization or business to participate in our Partners in Art Night (PAN) program. PAN is an opportunity for any organization or business to partner with LTA for a specific performance during one of our major productions as a fund-raising resource, a membership activity or a way for businesses to express appreciation to their clients or employees. PAN performance can be enhanced with a pre-show reception in our Green Room. Partners provide anything from punch and cookies at intermission to a casual wine and cheese gathering or even a full catered reception before the show. Some charitable groups use an evening at LTA as a setting for an annual silent auction in order to heighten the fund-raising potential of these events. The lobby, Green Room reception area, full kitchen and outdoor courtyard (weather permitting) are all at your disposal as a partner. Most importantly, your PAN performance entitles your organization to a private command performance of one of our popular stage productions, a valuable option for fund-raisers throughout Northern Virginia.
Cost: The fee for a non-musical is $1,475 for a Tuesday performance or $1,675 for a Friday performance; and the fee for a musical is $1,685 for a Tuesday performance or $1,885 for a Friday performance. A $400 deposit is required at the time a contract is secured. The remaining balance is due the evening of the performance.
Each year in May, LTA holds a lottery to allow a fair opportunity for Partners to secure a performance for the upcoming season (LTA seasons run from July through June). If you would like to reserve one of the above-listed show or wish to be notified of our next PAN lottery, please contact Tina McCrea, our Business Manager, at (703) 683-5778, ext. 1. Her office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Click HERE to download photos of our theatre and our Green Room.
ONE ACT PLAYWRITING COMPETITION
41st Annual One-Act Playwriting Competition
Guidelines of Submission:
All submissions must be original, unpublished and un-produced (not staged for a paying audience as of date of entry) one-act plays. Time permitting, the Little Theatre of Alexandria intends to produce the winner(s) of our contest in the NVTA One-Act Play Festival, which is held in late June or early July each year. In addition, cash awards of $350 for 1st Place, $250 for 2nd Place and $150 for 3rd Place are presented.
Submissions must be received by email between the dates of August 1-October 31, 2018. Scripts may not be submitted to any other theater for inclusion in the NVTA One Act Festival, and shows that receive a paid production during the judging period must be withdrawn, with another play allowed for substitution through November 15th. All submissions must include a $20.00 (per play) entry fee. This payment is non-refundable. Only two plays per author will be considered. Entry fee may be check or credit card. Credit card payments must be made by phone only. Please call the LTA business office at 703-683-5778, ext. 2 (Monday-Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm). Checks may be mailed to the following address and must be made out to “LTA” and have play and author name written in the memo line.
One-Act Play Reading Committee
The Little Theatre of Alexandria
600 Wolfe Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
To participate in the 41st Annual One-Act Playwriting competition, submissions should be emailed to oneactslta@gmail.com in a PDF format. Subject line should be “Submission for 2018 One Act Competition”
To Submit:
- Only electronic copies of scripts in PDF format will be considered; please do not send paper copies or any other electronic formats.
- Payment is required for judging; please pay promptly after submission. LTA will not follow up to request payment.
- Scripts MUST be between 20 and 50 minutes.
- Scripts must NOT include nudity. Strong language and themes are allowed.
- Only stage plays will be judged. Film and TV scripts will not be accepted.
- Scripts should include:
- Name, address, email address and telephone number of author on title page.
- A cast of characters with descriptions and a brief synopsis as part of play.
- Numbered pages
All production and publication rights remain the property of the playwright. The Little Theatre of Alexandria shall have the right to produce selected scripts without payment of royalties. Production will be at the discretion of LTA.
Judging: Scripts will be judged on Concept, Dramatic Action, Characterization and Dialogue. Technical Requirements will be noted. Critical analysis of scripts will not be provided. Judges are favorably inclined towards scripts that have a running time of 20 to 50 minutes, where scenes are few and technical requirements are basic.
To Submit: To participate in the 41st Annual One-Act Playwriting competition, submissions should be sent to oneactslta@gmail.com with a subject line of ” Submission for 2018 One Act Competition”. Emails should include whether the script is a comedy or drama and a PDF copy of the script should be attached. Scripts will not be judged until the fee has been paid; it is the author’s responsibility to follow up with LTA either by mailing a check or calling the LTA office to pay by credit card.
Winners will be contacted early in 2019. No feedback will be given on submissions. Questions may be directed to oneactslta@gmail.com.
Announcing the winners of the 39th Annual One-Act Playwriting Competition
1st Place – Dr. Scott
by Aaron Scully
2nd Place – Not Relative
by Gary Kluger
3rd Place – Quarantine
by Bruce Bonafede
LTA COUNCIL
The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria formed in 1961, the year that LTA opened its building at the current location. During those formative years, the members of the Council provided LTA with both necessities and luxuries that the theater was unable to afford at the time. These included the completion of the furnishing of the Council Greenroom, auditorium seats, and the theatre’s first grand drape. More recently, the Council has provided two more grand drapes, a computerized light board, landscaping, and lobby furniture, and made contributions toward the purchase of storage garages and technical enhancements. To date, the Council has donated over $100,000 to the theatre.
AUDITIONS
Current and future audition dates can be found HERE.
