We couldn’t offer shows at the Sorg without volunteers! Other than the performers and the technicians, everyone helping at the Sorg is a volunteer - from Board members to box office, from concessions to ticket scanners, and from ushers to cleaners. Whether you can help a few hours a week or once every few months, we welcome you as part of the community effort that keeps the doors of the Sorg open.

To get started as a volunteer:

  1. Check out the Frequently Asked Questions further down on this page.

  2. Be sure to sign up for the Volunteer Update Newsletter.

  3. Browse the shows below by clicking on a month, seeing what’s open and grabbing a spot! The links for each show will take you to the site VolunteerSignup.org, where you will enter your information for the position you’d like to fill. (Note to our past volunteers: Do not use the Bugle site for any future signups. All signups have been copied from there to the lists linked below. The old signup link, sorg.live/vsu, now leads to this page.)

Volunteering at the Sorg

Click a month for a list of volunteer opportunities, then click on the name of a show to go to the sign up page.

If you’d like to find out more about a show, check out the description on our Events page.

Frequently Asked Questions - Volunteering

  • Tickets: Volunteers who help at a show not only get to stay and watch that performance, but are also entitled to two free tickets to a future show. You can request your free tickets while you’re helping at a show, or you can email the box office with your request at a later time.

    Movies: You and one guest can also come to any of our movies for free, no advance tickets needed; just let the volunteers at the concession stand know that you volunteered for a show.

    Merchandise: Volunteers can also purchase Sorg merchandise, such as t-shirts and mugs, at our cost. This is a significant discount from the regular price. This does not apply to concession stand purchases.

    Limitations: Some shows may not have free volunteer tickets available, such as high-cost shows that are likely to sell out, or if the tickets are being handled directly by the performers rather than by the Sorg. When possible, we’ll offer volunteers tickets to these shows at a discounted rate. Free tickets are not available for MLT productions. Contact the box office to find out if certain shows are restricted.

  • When you sign up for the Volunteer Updates Newsletter (scroll to the bottom of this page), you’ll receive monthly emails with updates on shows, as well as insider information about the Sorg and our continuing renovations. Besides shows, there are also fundraising events, cleanup work at the Sorg, and other opportunities. We appreciate your help whenever you have time to spend with us, and you’ll be part of keeping this historic Middletown landmark operating and entertaining future generations.

  • Middletown Lyric Theatre (MLT) has been Middletown’s community theater organization for almost 50 years, and we are proud that they are now the Sorg’s resident theater company, presenting several live plays and musicals each season. We only need concession stand volunteers on those days. If you volunteer at an MLT show, you will be able to watch that evening’s production for free, and you’ll earn 2 free tickets to another Sorg show; however, we cannot offer our volunteers from our other shows free tickets to MLT productions.

  • In accordance with state laws and guidelines: volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Volunteers ages 14-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times while volunteering, or by their teacher or school sponsor if volunteering as part of a school group.

  • If you need more information, email boxoffice@sorgoperahouse.org and we’ll be happy to chat with you.

Volunteer Positions at Shows and Concerts

  • Serve drinks and snacks and take payment, either before the show, or during intermission. Concessions sales are a significant source of income for the Sorg. You’ll start out working with one or more people experienced with our concession stand, so it will be easy to catch on to the routine. Please note that end times for Intermission concessions are approximate, as the timing is up to each band.

  • Scan tickets as patrons enter. This is very easy, and only takes 2 minutes to learn. We ask you to come one hour before a show starts, and stay about 15 minutes after the start time to help latecomers.

  • Help patrons find their seats. We will give you a quick rundown on how the seats are numbered; it’s not complicated, but patrons new to the Sorg often get confused. You may be asked to help with scanning or concessions if we are short handed. Just like the scanners, we ask you to come one hour before a show starts, and stay about 15 minutes after the start time to help latecomers.

  • Sell tickets, help patrons with their ticket questions. Must have training on the box office software. If you’re comfortable with a computer and like people, this may be the spot for you! Typically we ask you to come in 60 minutes before a show starts, and stay 30 minutes after the start to help latecomers.

  • Usually on the day after each show, we could use help sweeping, emptying trash and vacuuming. It generally takes about an hour.