Why Volunteer at NACC?
- Watch shows for FREE!
- Free snacks & beverages each shift
- Meet some of the people who make our community so fantastic
- Make new connections
- Gain work experience
- Get community service hours
- And so much more…
As a not for profit, NACC relies heavily on community support through initiatives like volunteering! We need at least eight volunteers per event to scan tickets, usher patrons, run concession, run the box office, and provide excellent service to our guests. We are incredibly appreciative of all the support we receive, and in return always encourage our volunteers to stay & enjoy the show once their duties are completed.
Each fall, we host a volunteer orientation for all newcomers. We cover the roles of ushering, ticket taking, running the box office, staffing concession, and more! This orientation is a fantastic way to get acquainted with the space, and meet some of the friendly faces you’ll be seeing as a volunteer. Dinner & snacks are provided during the orientation!
For more information, please call NACC at (867) 766-6101 or email us at volunteers@naccnt.ca.
NACC HISTORY
The mandate of NACC is to encourage the development of the performing arts from all cultural traditions, and to provide a venue in the Northwest Territories for both professionally produced and community produced performances. We accomplish this by:
- Managing and operating this theatre to provide a venue for performances and developmental workshops;
- Holding leases, licenses, and contracts in connection with the operation of the facility;
- Engaging in activities to further the development of cultural activities, the performing arts, and facilities in the NWT
NACC is proud to host the artists that grace our stage and to provide a venue where Northern residents can enjoy the performing arts. Read more about our history here.
VOLUNTEER BASICS
Training
In order to ensure you enjoy your experience while volunteering, we ask that our new volunteers take the time to get properly oriented in the space. We offer a volunteer orientation session at the beginning of every season so that we can go over all of the duties & requirements for each position. Each of our Captain Volunteers are also trained in volunteer orientation and can provide you with information the day of your first shift!
Shifts
Each show shift begins 60 minutes prior to showtime. This ensures we are able to properly set up the space, make sure all of our team is properly oriented, and open our box office, concession, and the show doors on time. If you are going to be late, please give us a call at (867)766-6101.
Customer Service
One of NACC’s biggest priorities is to make our patrons feel welcome and appreciated, so we can encourage attendance at future shows. We rely on our front of house staff & volunteers to make this happen! We ask that our volunteers ensure they are polite, friendly, and approachable.
OVERVIEW OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Lobby Set-Up & Tear-Down
All volunteers are asked to take part in setting up the lobby prior to show time and cleaning up at the end of the evening. Upon arrival chairs must be placed in the appropriate positions, the monthly art display set up, and foyer lights turned on. Your Front of House Captain will provide specific instruction.
Ticket Scanning
All tickets must be scanned using the NACC ticket scanners. The scanner keeps a running tally of how many patrons have entered the theatre. It is vital that every person entering the theatre has a ticket scanned so we are able to know how many patrons are in the theatre for safety purposes. We have two scanners and two chargers; it is important to make sure the scanners go back on their chargers at the end of the evening.
Concession & Alcohol Sales
NACC’s Candle Ice Café sells white and red wine, beer, coolers, Keurig hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate), pop, and water. Cream, milk, and sugar are also available, as well as an assortment of snacks (chips & chocolate bars).
All concession volunteers must be aged 19+ and complete the NACC concession orientation with the Front of House Manager. Also, the following alcohol service guidelines must be adhered to: *Anyone handling alcohol must have their Safe Serve Certification.*
- Liquor license boundary signs must be displayed in the lobby
- Menu prices must be clearly visible to our patrons
- All patrons that look to be 25 or under must be checked for ID
- Concession volunteers with SafeServe are the only people permitted to handle alcohol
- Only OPEN liquor can be served – bottle caps must be removed, and wine must be served in the glasses provided
- Maximum TWO drinks per customer at a time
Additional alcohol safety information can be found in the volunteer binder.
Ushering
There are two usher seats on either side of the theatre. Ushers are responsible for welcoming our patrons, handing out programs, and helping people locate their seats. They remain at their posts for the duration of the show to ensure that the rules and regulations of the theatre are respected and that proper etiquette is followed so that everyone can enjoy the performance without disruption.
The following are prohibited inside the theatre:
- Eating, drinking (unless it is in an approved NACC cup), and chewing gum
- Use of cell phones (talking or texting)
- Use of cameras or other recording devices
- Playing video games (Gameboy, Nintendo-DS)
- Talking during the performance
- Wearing heavy amounts of cologne or perfume
- Sitting in the aisle
Latecomers or anyone exiting/re-entering the theatre will be asked to wait for a suitable break in the performance before taking their seats to minimize disruption to other patrons. This especially applies to those seated in the middle of an aisle.
Seating
There are four open carpet spaces for wheelchairs at the front of the theatre. If a patron prefers to sit in a chair, we have three designated seats with adjustable arms (A1, B5, and B6), allowing those with mobility difficulties to easily seat themselves.
Age Requirement/Young Children
For all NACC performances, every guest requires a ticket, regardless of age. As a courtesy to our patrons, children under the age of 3 are not encouraged at most NACC events (excluding family shows). Some shows make further age-appropriate recommendations, which we provide on the NACC website; however, parental discretion is always advised, and judgment of the content for each show should be made on an individual basis prior to purchase.
Theatre Capacity
Our fire code specifies our maximum capacity as 301 persons (297 theatre seats + 4 wheelchair spaces). This number cannot be exceeded for any reason.
Box Office Ticket Sales
Our box office attendant is responsible for selling tickets through our ticketing system (TheatreManager), processing payments (cash/credit/debit), as well as giving out Will Call tickets to customers that have pre-booked. Please let us know if you are interested in learning how to use TheatreManager. We will schedule a training session prior to an event where you will shadow another box office attendant and learn the basics.
Ticket Pricing Groups
- Adult 19-64
- Senior 65+
- Youth 18 & under
Refund Policy
The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre does not issue ticket refunds for any reason.
Merchandise Table
From time to time, NACC will have a merchandise table set up that will be run by volunteers or rental groups.
ADDITIONAL INFO
Volunteer Bulletin Board & Binder
The bulletin board is located in the concession area on the wall closest to the door. It will have information on the performance, upcoming events, task lists for each volunteer position, emergency procedure info, and more! Please check upon arrival for your shift.
The volunteer binder is located below the bulletin board and contains volunteer sign-up sheets for each show. Please remember to sign out at the end of your shift, as this helps us track the number of hours that our volunteers have worked.
Name Tags, Flashlights, Cash
These Front of House items can be obtained from your Front of House Captain upon arrival and need to be returned at the end of your shift.
Assisted Listening Devices
For hearing-impaired patrons, we have Phonic Ear headphones and other devices that facilitate a more enjoyable experience of the performance. These can be signed out from the box office window on the night of the performance. It is important for staff to ensure these devices are always charged and available.
Monthly Art Exhibits
Every month, NACC showcases the work of a different local artist with an exhibit on display in the lobby during our presentations. The artist profile and examples of their work are visible on the home page of NACC’s website – there is also a link to the entire list of exhibiting artists for the season.
Artwork is available for purchase from the box office, with the majority of the proceeds going to the exhibiting artist. Our staff can process the payment immediately or take the buyer’s info to contact them later during business hours. Artwork is available for the patron to pick up at the end of the month when the exhibit time is over. Box office staff are responsible for placing a “SOLD” sign on any pieces that are purchased.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Emergency Exit Locations
When exiting the theatre, our primary exit are the staircases at the left and right side of row J, which is located mid-theatre. This goes to the foyer area which leads to the lobby. an alternate exit is the door to the left of the stage at the front of the house, which exits to the school hallway & connects to the lobby.
From the lobby, the primary exit is the front doors near the box office window.
In the event of a fire…
- Instruct persons in the immediate area to leave the building immediately
- Offer help to patrons with mobility issues or anyone else in need of assistance
- Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station
- Once the fire alarm is activated, the Front of House Captain must call the Fire Department at 837-2222 or 911
- Ensure that once an area is evacuated, doors are closed to contain fire and smoke
- Continue assisting patrons to the primary exit
- Our meeting point is in the parking lot, 20 meters from the building
- Do not return to the building without approval from the Fire Department
As a NACC volunteer, your first priority should be safety and security. Please familiarize yourself with the locations of alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits.
In the event of a medical emergency…
- Alert the Front of House Captain or Technical Director (several NACC staff members have emergency first aid training and CPR/AED certification)
- Call for an ambulance at 873-2222 or 911, give your name, location, and explain the situation (address is posted on the bulletin board)
- Assist with administering emergency first aid if you have up-to-date certification.
There are two first aid kits mounted on the wall in the concession area. The building is NOT equipped with an AED defibrillator.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have any questions about volunteering at NACC, please let us know!
Kacie Hall (Manager of Operations, Communications, and Front of House)
867-766-6101 boxoffice@naccnt.ca communications@naccnt.ca volunteers@naccnt.ca
