Christian Arts Academy
To all of our incredible volunteers this year,
Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. You likely have no idea just how much your support and sacrifice is appreciated. When we started this academy in 2009 with a handful of students and no building to our name, we could handle putting on the Showcase by ourselves. However, about a decade later with a much larger student body, the addition of a musical, and the need to separate out our music department to have their own recital, springtime has become the most busy and often stressful time of the year for our staff and faculty. We literally cannot do it without you all.
From where we began to where we are now, we remember the names and faces of every person who has sacrificed their time, effort, money, resources, and even their own desires to help make each show a success. Our goal has always been to give the kids an excellent experience as close to what they would encounter in a professional performance career as we possibly can. Thanks to our Circle parents and friends volunteers, we are still able to achieve that goal each year.
As much as we wish every parent could sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the shows every night, we remember the sacrifice of our instructors who in the first several years never got the chance to see their own children perform on stage because they were backstage helping keep everyone safe and make sure the show was running seamlessly. Our desire is that every parent would have the opportunity to sit down for at least one night to watch their kid shine onstage. You all are the team who makes that possible. When you come in to serve so selflessly for a show, you are giving another parent the opportunity to watch their own kid and helping us keep the show from crashing and burning (literally!).
So when we say thank you for volunteering, we mean it. You all are incredible and it is an honor to serve your kids. Thank you for helping us make these shows a reality. We love you guys.
Mrs. Lisa Estelle
Director
Mr. Nate Estelle
Administrator
IMPORTANT INFO TO KNOW
CONTACT INFO
Heather Estelle (Volunteer Coordinator, Box Office Manager) • CCAA Office Phone: (941) 705-4748
Cecily Gibbs (Event Coordinator) • Text or call (941) 713-1931
Office hours: 8am-9pm Mon-Sat
Lisa Estelle (Director, Front of House Manager) • lisa@randyestelle.com
Nate Estelle (Administrator / Head of Tech) •
Chris Case (Stage Manager) • Text or call (941) 920-3262
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 2pm-8pm / Sat 10-6pm
Other Important Names to Know:
Mica Case (Sound engineer)
EXPECTATIONS
PERSONAL PRESENTATION
All volunteers are expected to represent themselves and CCAA in a professional light by arriving to event venue fresh, with well-maintained personal grooming and appropriate attire for their given role.
We ask all volunteers adhere to the same guidelines as our instructors including:
• Professional presentation and modest attire
• Clean, respectful, uplifting language use (including appropriate titles for staff and volunteers alike)
• Punctuality
• Clear and proactive communication before and during event
• Positive attitude in all circumstances
SCHEDULE
All volunteers are expected to arrive no later than their given call time. Should someone be running late, we expect a text or call to give the volunteer coordinator a heads up.
COMMUNICATION
We do our best to be proactive and clear in communicating with volunteers and we ask for the same in return. If something comes up which will bar you from following through with your commitment as a volunteer for one or more of our events, please contact the volunteer coordinator via text or call ASAP so we can adjust accordingly.
Calling in Sick
Things happen. People get sick or emergency situations arise at the last minute that change your ability to follow through on prior commitments and we understand that.
It takes a lot to carry a show, especially with students involved, so all we ask is if you are unable to come and volunteer that you give us as big a heads up beforehand that you possibly can so we can fill your role as quickly as possible.
The sooner we know, the better we can work out how to make rehearsal and show days the least stressful possible for everyone else involved!
UPON ARRIVAL
REHEARSALS
• Sign in at front desk
• Proceed to your assigned station/room to help set up for rehearsal and keep things running
• Make sure your assigned station/room is properly reset and shut down at the end of the day before leaving.
SHOW DAY
• Sign in at front desk (backstage/auditorium access requires an access band)
• Proceed to your assigned station/room to help set up for show and keep things running
• Make sure your assigned station/room is properly reset and shut down or packed up at the end of the day before leaving.
VENUE
LOCATION: 5512 26th St W, Bradenton, FL 34209
WHERE TO PARK
We try our best to reserve the parking areas closet to the building for paying attendees. Feel free to pull up under the porte-cochére to load in/out before pulling to the back of the lot.
FRONT OF HOUSE
USHER
Stand in front of doors to auditorium and greet attendees with a smile. Once the Front of House Manager signals, they open the doors, then begin to pass out programs and assist people to their seats/answer questions.
Should any minor issues arise with the seating arrangements, they help resolve if possible or guide people to the box office to see the Front of House Manager. If anyone arrives after the ushers close the doors, or need to exit mid-performance, an usher should help discreetly guide them via flashlight* to their seats and make sure the aisles remain clear throughout the show.
See training manual for dress code and basic training overview
which is described in video linked below.
TICKET SCANNER
Stand at kiosk and assist attendees with scanning their tickets as needed, then guide people to the box office to mark their seat on the chart.
See training manual for dress code and basic training overview
which is described in video linked below.
BOX OFFICE CLERK
Use a seating chart to verify which seats have been scanned at the ticket scanner and any seats that are available, help manager resolve any seating issues or verify any open seats, and direct attendees to ushers for assistance finding their seats.
See training manual for dress code and basic training overview.
ACCESS MONITOR
Stand at kiosk during sign in and check for access badges or wristbands for anyone to enter the auditorium, refer anyone seeking an access band who is not on the list to the box office manager.
See training manual for dress code and basic training overview.
BACKSTAGE
GREEN ROOM MONITOR
Keep students safe, calm, and as quiet/organized as possible during shows by enforcing rules, offering guidance and assistance whenever necessary, and engaging younger students in activities to keep them from becoming too wild and crazy.
See training manual for dress code and basic training overview
which is described in video linked below.
STAGE HAND
Help stage manager with all things backstage from moving set pieces, placing props,
to keeping everything properly organized with an emphasis on helping keep students and
staff members safe and the show running!