Community Theater Volunteering?

[bionate]

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Just curious on what your guys' thoughts are on community theater. At one point, I wanted to pursue theater and so I spent tons of time working in community theater. Almost all of it was unpaid until I worked for a few years at a particular theater and they offered me a small contract my last year there. But for nearly 3 years, I did 2-3 productions a year, as a lead actor and in more bit roles as well as some stagehand work and set construction.

I love the experience and it does seem like a good EC to put down, but would any of this "count" as volunteering experience? It was almost all unpaid. And I have hundreds of hours on the books. A show, as an actor, was a 2-3 month rehearsal committment, at about 20-30 hours a week, depending on how behind we were.

 

[WedgeDawg]

It's a cool EC for sure, but I don't think it counts as volunteering, even if it was unpaid, in the same way that playing in a band for free wouldn't be counted as volunteering.

 

[Law2Doc]

No. They mean volunteering that 1) is healthcare related or 2) directly helps poor or sick or elderly or disabled. If you helped blind homeless senior citizens put on plays, you'd be good.

 

[bionate]

That's what I figured. Thanks guys.

 

[Goro]

Another way of putting it is "service to those less fortunate than yourself."
We like seeing your altruism.

No. They mean volunteering that 1) is healthcare related or 2) directly helps poor or sick or elderly or disabled. If you helped blind homeless senior citizens put on plays, you'd be good.

 

[Catalystik]

Just curious on what your guys' thoughts are on community theater. At one point, I wanted to pursue theater and so I spent tons of time working in community theater. Almost all of it was unpaid until I worked for a few years at a particular theater and they offered me a small contract my last year there. But for nearly 3 years, I did 2-3 productions a year, as a lead actor and in more bit roles as well as some stagehand work and set construction.

I love the experience and it does seem like a good EC to put down, but would any of this "count" as volunteering experience? It was almost all unpaid. And I have hundreds of hours on the books. A show, as an actor, was a 2-3 month rehearsal committment, at about 20-30 hours a week, depending on how behind we were.

I think it will make for an interesting EC, especially as you took on a number of roles. Consider tagging it as an Artistic Endeavor for the AMCAS application.