Hamilton Fringe 2026 - Volunteer Sign Up

  • Volunteer Sign Up & Role Preferences

    Hamilton Fringe Festival 2026 - July 15th - 26th

  • Welcome! We are so excited to have you as part of our 2026 team!

    Our volunteers are integral to the success of Hamilton Fringe by helping us foster community among participants and enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved. This year, the festival runs July 15th - 26th. 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. Please feel free to skip any questions you would prefer not to answer as this is solely to help us make you feel comfortable and supported in your position!

    Please also feel free to email Grace, Denya, and Chinenye at volunteers@hftco.ca if you have any comments or questions. All included information will be shared only among the core volunteer team to apply your responses effectively while respecting your privacy. Thank you in advance for your time and we look forward to talking more!

    Information describing a few of the various roles volunteers can take on is available on the second page of this form.

    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

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Have you volunteered and/or worked with HFTco (Hamilton Fringe, Frost Bites, etc.) before?*
  • Have you completed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Training within the past 5 years?*
  • 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!

  • Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

    What do you like to do? What skills do you want to develop?

  • The Hamilton Fringe Festival runs July 15-26, 2026. 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. Tasks may include: 

    • Putting up posters at local businesses and on poster kiosks/collars around Hamilton
    • Distributing promotional materials to schools and other partners
    • Assisting staff in distributing promotional materials and info at outreach events (ex. Art Crawl, Bayfront Canada Day, etc.)

    Community Ambassador complete one-off shifts that take place in June & July prior to Hamilton Fringe Festival, with some asynchronous shifts.

    INFO HUB ASSISTANT

    The Info Hub Assistant reports to the Info Hub staff to relay information about programming and performances to attendees. Tasks may include:

    • Support Fringe Info Hub staff as necessary
    • On-site box office representation: tickets, pass sales, buttons, merchandise
    • Answer patron questions regarding programming and performances
    • On-site engagement with community members
    • Assist Volunteer Coordinator(s) with scheduling support, if necessary

    Info Hub shifts are available during Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 15-26. Some training in late June or early July is required.

    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. Tasks may 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

    Usher shifts are available during Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 15-26. Some training in late June or early July is required.

    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. Tasks may 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
    • Assisting with late arriving patrons

    Box Office shifts are available during Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 15-26. Some training late June or early July is required.

    FRINGE BOULEVARD ASSISTANT

    Fringe Boulevard Assistants support the Outdoor Programming team in running the live events along King William St between James St and Hughson St. Tasks may include:

    • Supporting event set-up and tear-down
    • Maintaining an attendance headcount
    • Greet attendees & answer questions and distribute festival programs
    • Set up & sale of merchandise

    Fringe Boulevard shifts are available during Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 15-26. Some training late June or early July is required.

    FRINGE ON THE STREETS ASSISTANT

    The Fringe on the Streets Assistant position is a highly mobile role, requiring up to 2 hours of walking and/or being on your feet, mostly outdoors. Tasks may include:

    • Assisting with audience wrangling for this 75-minute outdoor walking tour
    • 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
    • Support with setup and tear down
    • Certifications such as CPR/Standard First Aid are an asset

    Fringe on the Streets shifts are available during Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 15-26. Some training late June or early July is required.

     

     

  • ANOTHER WAY TO VOLUNTEER: ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A BILLET HOST THIS YEAR?

    We have a few out of town artists looking for a safe and friend place during the festival. Hosting a Fringe artist is a great way to support the theatre festival.

    To find out more information about being a billet host and to sign up, check out the form! https://form.jotform.com/HamFringe/BilletHost2026

  • 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!

  • Volunteer Shifts

    Tell us about your schedule and availability!

  • Some volunteers have lots of availability in their schedule, but are only interested in working once or twice during the festival, and some volunteers are looking for as many hours as possible. Keeping in mind the Festival is running between July 15th - 26th this year, let us know what your preferences/limitations are below:

  • What type of work atmosphere most interests you
  • Which characteristics feel the most "you"?
  • Should be Empty: