Behind-the-Curtain: Get Involved at Grand Rapids Ballet

Have you been looking for a way to get involved in the Grand Rapids arts community that fits into your schedule and involves ice-cream socials and free professional ballet performances? If so, you may be an ideal candidate for Grand Rapids Ballet’s volunteer group En Pointe – a group of involved community members that value the arts in Grand Rapids.

The Perks of Being a Volunteer

“Volunteers are critical to the success of our productions,” says Guest Services Coordinator, Errol Shewman, “We simply could not manage performances without their help.” This past year, during The Nutcracker performances alone, 170 volunteers filled 220+ volunteer positions at GRB, making the world-premiere production possible. As a nonprofit, GRB flourishes when community members contribute their time and talent to the organization.

Everyone is welcome to join this important group of volunteers. You can sign up on GRB’s general volunteer list here, however if premium access and special perks sound like more of your thing, En Pointe may be the best choice for you. En Pointe is the Ballet’s premiere volunteer group. They receive priority access to performances (generally $40 or more per ticket, free for En Pointe members), invitations to exclusive “insider” events, acknowledgement in the playbill, and boutique discounts. GRB performances are known to sell out, so En Pointe gives you access to those performances and first pick of volunteer positions. A $25 membership to En Pointe covers a full year of premium volunteer opportunities.

A Welcoming & Rewarding Experience

Volunteering for Grand Rapids Ballet is a rewarding and enjoyable experience where it is easy to get involved and feel like an integral part of a fun and exciting organization. Brian Lennon, an experienced GRB volunteer, affirms, “The best thing about volunteering for the Ballet is having so many opportunities, working with such a wide and interesting variety of fellow volunteers, and being able to see multiple performances of a single production.”

The Variety of Opportunities

Grand Rapids Ballet provides volunteers the flexibility of choosing from a wide range of times and activities. With afternoon and evening performances throughout the season (September to May), as well as workshops and events during the summer, it’s easy to find volunteer opportunities that fit into almost any schedule. There’s no minimum or maximum amount of hours required to volunteer and a wide range of duties to pick from including: ushering, boutique operation, costume shop assistance, merchandise pricing and packing, poster distribution, pointe shoe crafting, mailings, and more!

All Skill Sets Encouraged

Despite the wide range of activities, no particular skill set, knowledge, or experience is needed in order to flourish as a Ballet volunteer. Each shift begins with a short training session, allowing college students, parents, and retirees of all different backgrounds the ability to contribute to the success of Grand Rapids Ballet.

Get Involved With GRB

If you’d like to get involved with Grand Rapids Ballet, you can either join the general volunteer list here, or contact Guest Services Coordinator Errol Shewman to become an En Pointe member: guestservices@grballet.com. Don’t forget to check out our volunteer ice cream social in August to meet other volunteers and learn more about the exciting opportunities coming up this season!