With volunteers help, the show will go on
- Details
- Published on Monday, April 30, 2018
Submitted
Neepawa Theatre Centre Board
Since 1988, the Roxy Theatre in Neepawa has been community owned and volunteer run. Each year, community members log over 1,500 hours taking tickets, working the concession and cleaning up after the show. This work allows the theatre to keep prices low and meet their mandate of providing inexpensive entertainment for the whole family. Volunteers represent a cross-section of the community and without their donation of time, the theatre would cease to operate.
Like any volunteer-dependant organization, the Roxy is looking for new volunteers. To help people see what’s involved, the board has organized an open house on Wednesday, May 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Roxy Theatre. Volunteer chair Michelle Denoon explained, “The open house is for anyone who is interested in volunteering at the Roxy and maybe isn’t sure about everything that is involved in the process.” People can come as individuals, groups or families.
The evening will cover all of the tasks undertaken by volunteers on movie nights, including, how to set up the box office and get a deposit ready and how to make popcorn and keep the concession area stocked. No previous experience is needed. Participants in the open house don't have to commit to volunteering, but there will be signing up sheets with vacant dates on hand for those interested in getting involved.
“Our goal is to try to get all of our vacant nights covered for the beginning of our new year in September,” said Denoon. To help new volunteers feel more comfortable, when they first work a movie, they do so with the help of a board member.
The Roxy is fortunate to have many long-term volunteers, but many of them are ready to step down and finding new people to fill their shoes is essential to the theatres continued operation.
“We are getting in a situation where we have more and more vacant nights and weekends,” said Denoon. In addition to movies, which are shown 10 months of the year, the theatre is a popular rental venue, hosting concerts, school plays, birthday parties and weddings, but overall profitability relies on being able to show movies. “The Roxy Theatre has been a staple in Neepawa for many, many years and is a fun and affordable way to spend a night out, whether it be a date night or a family night out,” said Denoon. Talking about the theatre and volunteer experience, Denoon noted that volunteering at the Roxy Theatre is a fun and rewarding way to give back and that they really appreciate all of the help that the volunteers provide. She added that the Roxy Theatre is something that anyone in Neepawa and the surrounding area can utilize and that they want to keep it part of our community for many more years to come. Anyone interested volunteering can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
