This year BIF is recruiting volunteers to help bring the magic of live performance back to Buxton. Jean Ball, our Venue Operations Manager, has been discussing the experience with her stewards.
That moment when the lights and the chatter go down, and all attention is on the stage just before the performer(s) emerge – there is nothing quite like it. There is something a little bit magic about live performance and it has been my privilege to work on thousands of shows over a long career, but that moment makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention every time.
Buxton International Festival doesn’t just entertain and inform our audiences, it also gives those willing to contribute their time as volunteers the opportunity to be part of the magic. The smiling faces who meet and greet, and look after the Festival audience, in all our lovely venues, are at the heart of the Festival.
Mounting a major international opera and literature festival in a small spa town in Derbyshire is no small undertaking, and in 2021 it is even more complicated thanks to the extra work to keep our audiences, performers, and the BIF team safe. So, despite fewer shows and smaller audiences, we need extra volunteers to help us bring the magic back to stages in Buxton this year.
We are a friendly bunch and full training will be provided.
Sue Kardahji has volunteered at the last four Festivals and says “I’m very much looking forward to July 2021. Buxton Festival is a hugely important event for the economy and general wellbeing of Buxton and I feel privileged to be a part of making the Festival a success. I have met many new people; other volunteers, Festival staff and Interns and members of the public who come to the performances.
My duties have included “meeting and greeting” members of the public at event venues, checking tickets, selling programmes, helping people to find their allocated seats, helping people with additional needs to ensure they are able to fully participate in the event, keeping a watchful eye on the audience during events in case any problems arise and giving directions to other event venues or places of interest in the town.
I’ve also been given the opportunity to sit in on many different performances, some of which feature performers or speakers with whom I am not familiar. Some I have enjoyed more than others but the opportunity to broaden my musical and literary horizons is greatly appreciated.”
If you would be willing to join the merry band of BIF Volunteers please fill in the form on the website About Us – Buxton International Festival where you can also find more information about what might be expected of you and how we will support you. It is not an exaggeration to say that we can not deliver BIF21 without our team of volunteers support. Thank you in advance for helping us make some magic.