Absolutely!  The Experience is run completely by volunteers and all proceeds go to Center Stage Players, a non-profit theatre troupe.

What can volunteers expect from working at The Experience?

Most volunteers arrive an hour before opening and are trained on their position.  Yes - it is so simple all volunteers can be trained in an hour!  We only expect you to do what you were trained in but love the ones that improvise and experiment to better the role.

Shifts run about 7-8 hours per night.  Breaks are allowed and the roving managers will sub out for you while you are on break.  Breaks typically last for about 20 minutes.

Since the attraction is outside you can expect it to be cold and/or rainy during the event.  Especially as it gets further into the fall.  Please dress in layers so that you can adjust to the weather.

Please wear all black/dark colors.

What is a typical night like for the volunteers at The Experience?

Most volunteers arrive while management and the designers are in the attraction turning on all the sensors, effects and sound systems.  Once they have done their final walk-through, the volunteer manager will meet the volunteers in the break room.  The manager will explain the basics and expectations of the volunteers and assign costuming if necessary.  After all volunteers are in costume they are moved to their assigned positions for training.

Most training for each position takes less than 20 minutes to explain.  Afterwhich the manager will leave the actor or tech person in position with a walkie-talkie to alert them upon opening.  During this down time the volunteer should play their area sound track to become familiar with it, or the tech operators should test their effect and practice activating it.

Usually about 10 minutes to opening a call goes out on the radio to prepare everyone for opening.  Volunteers will usually be on their own for the first few groups to get the feel for the position, then roving managers will observe and offer pointers and tips to help the volunteer along.

Then about 7 hours later after scaring many many guests - the night is over and everyone meets in the break room to turn in costumes and to checkout with the manager.  Many of the volunteers like to hang around after close and reminisce about some of the groups of guest that stood out.  Upon close the designers typically will meet the volunteers in the break room to reminisce as well.

Are there any other ways to volunteer with The Experience?

Beginning in July we have work days out at the site on weekends.  On these days we meet and do the actual construction and rigging to set up the effects.  We can always use help on these days with people who are skilled in arts and crafts or construction.

How many shifts do I work?

We don't require that you work more than you can - but we like the ones that can be there regularly - because they are the ones that become our future managers and designers. 

You do not have to work every shift (which is usually about 14 a year), you can work just one a weekend.  Or you can work all of them.  Or only Saturday shifts.  We are flexible and can accommodate your schedule.  We only ask that you work the entire 7-8 shift.

Do volunteers get paid?

We do not pay anyone related to the Experience but we do offer free concessions, free tickets to our Center Stage Players shows, and a multitude of giveaways to each volunteer.