By Christina Katz 

When most parents think of school theater programs, they may think of their child on stage in the spotlight. But theater programs offer many more participation opportunities than just being an actor. So why not count all the ways your child might become involved? 

1. Audition for a part. Actors may seem to have the most glamorous jobs, but acting is a big time commitment and tons of work, especially for the show’s leads. If this is your child’s first theater experience, aim for supporting or chorus roles, which are less pressure and more fun. 

2. Assist the director. Sometimes an actor does not land a role. Instead of leaving a show altogether, your child might be able to assist the director. The student director can learn an awful lot about theater and these insights will likely help at the next audition. 

3. Be the dramaturge. Research the historic and cultural aspects of the show, as well as the play’s setting. 

4. Light the show. The light board needs to be operated and spotlights may need to be run. With training from the technical director or the lighting designer, students can manage these jobs just fine. 

5. Run the sound. Full productions often involve the use of microphones, music, and sound effects. Typically the sound director or technical director trains one student to run the soundboard. 

6. Dress in black. Those folks who dress in all black and scurry around the stage between scenes have a name: set crew. Their job is to reset the stage with props and a new set.

7. Aspire to stage manager. The stage manager oversees all tech positions (set crew, light crew, and sound crew). In fact, the stage manager coordinates the timing of the show from backstage, communicating the timing of technical aspects for the actors. 

8. Build and paint sets. Is your student handy with a hammer and a paintbrush? Then they can help bring the world of the play to life. Set builds often take place in the evening or on weekends in spurts. 

9. Gather or make props. If your child has a knack for decorating or crafting, making props might be the perfect job.  

10. Sew costumes. If your student enjoys sewing, most theater departments can always use as many nimble fingers as they can recruit. 

11. Assist with hair and makeup. When the pressure is on, actors usually need help getting hair and makeup done in time. Maybe your fashion-conscious child is willing to work in the dressing room. 

12. Shoot photographs. Publicity shots are often needed to promote a show. If your student loves photography, they can volunteer. 

13. Design the poster or T-shirt. A contest is sometimes held among students to come up with a winning design for the poster or cast-and-crew T-shirt. If there’s no contest, encourage your talented artist to offer to help create these items. 

14. Publicize the show. Along with photos, press releases need to be sent to regional media. Posters need to be hung up. Email announcements need to be composed and sent. 

15. Accompany the singers in rehearsal. Is your child an accomplished pianist? If so, most musical productions need a rehearsal accompanist. The accompanist typically joins the band for performances. 

16. Play in the pit. Does your student play in the school band? Can they play an unusual instrument that might add drama and entertainment to the musical score?  

17. Volunteer to usher. Ushering is a great way for students to see the show for free. 

18. Manage the house. The house manager prepares the house before the show and trains the ushers. This person is the liaison between the box office and the stage manager. 

19. Help with the program. The director’s note needs to be included. Bios need to be gathered from the cast. Sponsors may submit ads. All the contents of the program must go through layout and design and get printed before each show. This is a good job for a student-parent team. 

20. Film the show. Students with an interest in filming or film editing can volunteer to help the professional videographer. 

Christina Katz is an author and writing coach whose husband has been a high school theater teacher for more than decade.