Join Us

Playcrafters was founded as a place for those in the community to share the theater experience, but sharing means more than just being part of an audience. It means having the opportunity to learn all aspects of theater. The most obvious way to be involved with Playcrafters is on our stage, but there are just as many important tasks to perform behind the scenes. Don't be intimidated if you feel you lack theater knowledge. You'll have fun while learning new skills from new friends!

Read more below about the different ways to get involved at Playcrafters. You can e-mail us at info@playcrafters.com, or call 309-762-3886 for more information, or to let us know you're ready to join us!

Acting

A common misconception is that you must have acting experience to be in a show at Playcrafters. While some roles do require a certain measure of talent and/or experience, most shows contain parts for people of varying levels of ability. Visit our Auditions page for more information about how to tryout for our next production, then please join us. Our auditions are relaxed and fun, and whether you get cast or not, a lot can be learned from the process. Besides, even DeNiro had to start somewhere.

Production Crew & Set Building

Actors can invest many hours memorizing their lines, but it's the Costumers, Make-up, and Props people that make the actors look good, while the Lighting and Sound operators allow them to be seen and heard. And someone has to build and paint the amazing worlds for our actors to inhabit. We are always looking for volunteers to learn and staff these important positions.

Directors & Producers

Directors are the 'puppetmasters' who create the vision and manage the ensemble of actors and production staff to stage the shows you see at the barn theatre. Producers are the grand organizers making sure that Directors have all the resources they need to stage their productions. We welcome those who wish to share their theatrical production or directorial experience and good leadership skills with others to join us.

Box Office, Ushers & Concessions

If you have experience handling money or possess basic computer skills you may be interested in staffing our Concession Stand or Box Office. If your strengths are a warm smile and a friendly 'hello,' then come and share your geniality working as an Usher.

Fund-Raising

Our Fund-Raising Committee works year-round to ensure that Playcrafters has the necessary finances to keep our 90 year-old facility in a state of good repair. Are you handy? Do you enjoy being part of a team? As we work towards major refurbishment of the Barn Theatre in the next few years, we'll be relying on volunteers to join our Fund-Raising Committee to raise the necessary resources to make these improvements possible.

Playreaders

Shakespeare wrote that "the play's the thing." That's where the process that results in the shows you come to see begins. Anyone is welcome to suggest a script to our Playreading Committee. Directors also submit scripts for consideration. Plays are evaluated by a committee of volunteers who read dozens of scripts throughout the year and recommend plays to be chosen for production by the Board of Directors.

Become A Member or Director

While it is not necessary to become a member of Playcrafters to volunteer your time, a $5 annual membership allows you to become fully involved in the operations of a community theater. Membership benefits include discounted opening weekend tickets, newsletters and invitations to attend special functions including the Annual Meeting. Every August the membership meets for a cookout followed by a report on the state of the organization and the election of officers to our Board of Directors. Directors are elected from and by the membership and meet monthly to develop and implement policies and directives in keeping with Playcrafters mission, and oversee the management and operation of the facility.