Volunteering at Fringe

Volunteering with NZ Fringe is great fun; you will meet the team behind the Fringe, be on the ground supporting the delivery of the festival and get the opportunity to see many Fringe productions. 

The Festival typically runs for 23 days, in 2024 this was from 16 February–9 March.

Creative Capital Arts Trust also produces CubaDupa (March) - register your interest for volunteering at a future Fringe of CubaDupa via this form.

WHAT YOU GET

All Fringe volunteers will receive a free Fringe Volunteer t-shirt and a Fringe Addict card for reduced entry to shows. You will also have the chance to get standby tickets. You will be able to access our participant services and be invited to exclusive Fringe events such as our awards night and closing night party.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

We will get you to fill in a contact information sheet. All NZ Fringe volunteers are required to supply emergency contact information to our office (which will remain confidential) and agree to let us know if you are unable to attend a shift or event you have signed up for. Basically, we need commitment from you to help us make the festival great. 

WHEN WE MIGHT NEED YOU

We will need volunteers to help us throughout the festival (February/March) and we may need a few people to help us in spreading the word in the weeks leading up to the festival. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Volunteers will help Fringe staff at venues with scanning pre-purchased tickets. You will be assigned to a venue for each shift which may have multiple performances in one evening. You are expected to answer any audience questions and help with ensuring that everything before and after the show runs smoothly.

NZ Fringe Festival also runs several events during the season. Our opening gala, awards night etc. all need volunteers in order to make these events happen. The tasks will vary as there are many facets to running an event - you may be host to our guests, help with set up and pack down, prepare food and drink etc. Specific details for each event will be provided before your shift. 

If you are specifically looking for venue experience or roles associated with venues such as front of house, box office or technical work please let us know and we will put you in touch directly with some venues that could be a good fit for you. Also feel free to check out our Fringe Classifieds group on Facebook for artists looking for cast and crew for their Fringe events. 

Here at NZ Fringe we don’t run any of our own venues per-se, but we do have some front-of-house staff who work in our flagship venues. Keep an eye on our ‘Work With Us’ page or email welcome@fringe.co.nz to register your interest for these paid roles.

TRAINING

Training will be provided for all of the positions and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. You are also welcome to change roles if you feel like one is not a good match for you. Just let us know and we can make the changes. It is important to us that you get the most out of your volunteering experience with us. Most shifts you will be working alongside other volunteers and staff for additional support.

KEY DATES

• Expressions of interest - will open in December 2024
• Fringe Festival - February/March 2025

WHAT NEXT?

Once signed up as an NZ Fringe volunteer you will receive further information on types of events, dates and shift availability.

In the meantime if you would like any further information or if you have any questions please contact us via welcome@fringe.co.nz or phone us in the office on (04) 212 4725.