2025 Hamilton Fringe Volunteer Sign Up

Volunteer Sign Up & Role Preferences

Hamilton Fringe Festival 2025 - July 16th - 27th
Welcome! We are so excited to have you as part of our 2025 team!

Our volunteers play a key role in the success of the Hamilton Fringe by helping us foster a sense of community among participants, filling various roles, and enhancing the overall experience for all involved with the Fringe! The festival runs July 16th - 27th this year. Whether this is your first time with us or if you are a seasoned pro, we cannot wait to share all of our planned events with you!

We aim to support all of you the best we can; there is no festival without the work of our dedicated volunteer team. The following form is to help us best meet your needs and preferences. Information describing a few of the various roles volunteers can take on is available on the second page of this form. Please feel free to skip any questions you would prefer to not answer as again, this is solely to help us make you feel comfortable and supported in your position!

Please also feel free to email Avery and Louise at volunteers@hftco.ca if you would like to speak further about anything. All included information will be shared only among the core volunteer team in order to apply your responses effectively while also respecting your privacy. Thank you in advance for your time and we look forward to talking more!

The Hamilton Festival Theatre Company (HFTco) is in compliance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). We will utilize your personal information only for the purpose of sending you updates and information about events, activities, and opportunities by HFTco. We will not sell, rent or share your personal information to any other organization or individual.
Volunteer Information
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Pronouns (feel free to update us if this changes)
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Did you get referred to us by another Hamilton Fringe volunteer? If so - let us know who it was so we can thank them!
We invite you to share accessibility requests.
Have you volunteered and/or worked with HFTco (Hamilton Fringe, Frost Bites, etc.) before?*

Yes, in the past 3 yearsYes, but not in the past 3 yearsNo, this is my first time
Have you completed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Training within the past 5 years?*

YesNo. I understand I must complete AODA training before my first shift.
Have you volunteered with Hamilton Fringe Festival, Frost Bites, or a similar event in the past? Tell us a bit about it! *
What is your preferred T-shirt size ? *
Optional: Do you have any accessibility needs we should prioritize to help you be successful in this role? Including but not limited to physical accessibility of spaces, any aids you wish to be covered further in training, communication preferences etc. Employment will not be influenced by this yet this information can help us to organize placements.
Optional: Any other notes, comments, or concerns you would like us to know and think about? We are happy to hear anything you’ve got for us!
Optional: Do you have any food allergies, sensitivities, and/or cultural considerations we should know about, if we are in a position to provide snacks or share food?
Are you looking to have your volunteer hours validated for this (eg high school requirements, community involvement certifications etc)? We are happy to do so!

YesNo but, I will need to have my guardians sign off on my participation since I am younger than 16 (Wow super star, we love to see people be involved and are happy to have you!Not applicable

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

What do you like to do? What skills do you want to develop?
The Hamilton Fringe Festival runs July 16-27, 2025. A majority of our opportunities for volunteers fall within the festival dates, but we also need help throughout June and early July as well.

Here are some examples of the roles Hamilton Fringe Festival volunteers might be asked to take on.

Please read through them and indicate which roles you are interested in, below.

Please note that these role descriptions are not meant to be exhaustive, and we may ask you to help out with other tasks that are not listed.
COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS

Community Ambassadors connect with the Hamilton community on behalf of Hamilton Fringe. Some tasks often assigned to community ambassadors include:
- Travelling to local businesses, shops and poster kiosks around the region and hanging posters and dropping off programs, in advance of and during the festival
- Distributing promotional materials to schools and partners in the city
- If needed, visiting venues and refilling supplies and promotional materials
NOTE: Community Ambassador shifts will take place in June & July prior to the festival.

INFO HUB ASSISTANT

The Info Hub Assistant reports to the Info Hub staff to relay information about programming and performances to attendees. Some tasks assigned include:
- Support Fringe Info Hub staff, as necessary
- Primary box office representative throughout the shift: tickets, pass sales, buttons, merchandise
- Answering patron questions regarding programming and performances
- On-site engagement with community members re: promoting the festival, show selection activities, etc
- Assist with setup and tear down, as necessary
USHERS

Ushers are part of the Front of House team at our various venues, alongside the Venue Captain and Box Office Assistants during the festival. Some tasks often assigned to ushers include:
- Daily on-site set-up and/or tear-down of the Box Office at the venue
- Checking in patrons
- Greeting patrons at the venue
- Assisting Venue Captains in addressing the line-up with a pre-show welcome speech
- Guiding patrons to their seats as required
- Handing out show playbills, if any
- Sitting in on performances to ensure audience health & safety and to ensure proper emergency procedures are followed, if necessary
BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS

Box Office Assistants are a part of the Front of House team at Venues, alongside the Venue Captain and Usher during the festival. Some tasks often assigned to box office assistants include:
- Primary box office representative throughout the shift
- Daily on-site set-up and/or tear-down of the Box Office at the venue
- Selling tickets at the door
- Answering patron questions regarding programming and performances
- If an event has late seating, sitting in on performances to ensure audience health & safety and to ensure proper emergency procedures are followed, if necessary
FRINGE BOULEVARD ASSISTANT

The Fringe Blvd. Assistants assist the Placemaking Coordinator and Development Coordinator in the execution of programming on King William St. Some tasks often assigned to Fringe Blvd. Assistants include:
- Assisting with patio
- Maintain an attendance count
- Greet attendees & answer questions
- Set up various seating/patio layouts depending on programming
- Distribute festival programs
- Set up & sale of merchandise
- Support with event setup and tear down
- Support Relay Bar Staff during busy times in any necessary task (note: must have SmartServe to assist behind the bar or touch any alcohol products)
FRINGE ON THE STREETS ASSISTANT

This is a highly mobile position that requires up to 2 hours of walking and/or being on your feet, mostly outdoors. Some tasks assigned to Fringe on the Street volunteers include:
- Assist with audience wrangling for this 90-minute performance promenade (outdoor walking show)
- Deliver set speeches about how to engage with the show(s)
- Assist in the set-up of various seating layouts depending on programming
- Be available to answer attendees’ questions about programming
- Distribute Fringe On The Streets program/information
- Support artists and Fringe On The Streets staff as necessary
- Communicate with partners and on-site staff to keep on schedule
- Support with technical setup of sound equipment and tear down
- Certifications such as CPR/Standard First Aid are an asset
Please select all roles you are interested in. NOTE: that we will do our best to accommodate preferences, but may ask you to step into a different role at times to best support our team!

Community AmbassadorsInfo Hub AssistantUshersBox Office AssistantFringe Blvd. AssistantFringe on the Streets AssistantI might be interested in "one-off" errand-running or event-related shifts - ask me if something comes up!
Of the Volunteer Roles you indicated above, are there any you're particularly excited to take on?

Volunteer Sign Up & Role Preferences

Volunteer Information

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Shifts