Get Involved Off-Stage in The Matchmaker
Missed the Boat Theatre is recruiting production, design, and administrative roles for Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker, a farce in four acts directed by Sam Vargo. The musical will perform at Helene Houle Auditorium at Saint Agnes School (St. Paul) for 7 performances from June 19-28, 2025.
Key Dates:
The various behind-the-scenes roles have different types of time commitments required of them. Here are some general key dates for the show; please check individual role descriptions for required date specifications.
Read-through / rehearsals begin: April 22
Rehearsals: Generally 3-4 days a week, typically Mon-Thurs 6:30-9:30, with some Fridays and weekends
Build Days: Typically Saturdays and one weekday evening, beginning April 5 or 12
Load-in Weekend: June 6 (evening)-June 8
This is the time that different production departments will get all the design elements set up onstage / backstage for the show. The weekend will be scheduled out among different departments, but it is best to keep it as open as possible for now.
Tech Week: June 13-18 (off on June 15)
Performances: June 19-28
Strike: June 29 (Required for everyone, even if not specified below)
Opportunities
Leadership Roles (Stipended)
To express interest in any of the following opportunities, please email Sam Vargo, Executive Director, at sam@missedtheboattheatre.com with a statement of interest and a resume or description of past related experiences.
-
Summary: Create a vision for all non-text sound elements of the show, including recorded sound effects and music selections. For this show, there are very few recorded sounds; rather, we are particularly interested in a sound designer who is music-oriented and will research appropriate music selections for diegetic sound and (hopefully) live transition music to be played throughout the show, in conjunction with the Director’s vision.
In an ideal world, the same person would make the music selections and teach / coach them to musicians as part of the rehearsal process, but that aspect could also be separated out. When expressing interest in this position, please specify which aspects of it you are interested in taking on.
Commitment: Regular production meetings with the creative team, independent research and preparation time, some rehearsals to oversee incorporation of music to show, tech week, strike.
-
Summary: Based on the audio needs of the show, coordinate rental of any external equipment needed and set up all sound equipment for production. This person needs to either serve as the audio mixer for the production OR train a competent crew member to do so.
Commitment: Some production meetings with the creative team, some of load-in weekend, all of tech week, all performances unless otherwise agreed upon, and strike.
-
Work as part of the design team to create and execute a plan to source all necessary furniture and hand props to help tell the story of the show
Commitment: Regular production meetings with the creative team, independent time shopping/thrifting/building (or delegating these tasks to others), availability for some of Load-in Weekend, all of Tech Week, and Strike
Best for: Someone creative and interested in finding “just the right thing,” with flexible but varied availability, some amount of organizational skill
-
Work as part of the design team to create “looks” for each character. Create and lead the execution of gathering all the costumes to build those looks (either yourself or by delegating to shoppers, sewers, etc.)
Commitment: Regular production meetings with the creative team, independent time shopping / researching / building outfits, availability for some of Load-in Weekend, all of Tech Week, and Strike
Best for: Someone enthusiastic about the way clothes can be used to reveal one’s interior self, and also willing to poke a little fun at CYA cliches :)
-
Summary: Provide support to the Costume Designer in coordinating and executing the costume design for the show, which may include the following: creating a costume plot, acquiring costume pieces (e.g., purchase, rent, repurpose), scheduling and assigning tasks to costume volunteers (e.g., wardrobe technicians, shoppers), and implementing costume alterations (e.g., repair, construction, maintenance).
Commitment: Regular production meetings with the creative team, independent time shopping / sewing / building outfits, availability of some of Load-in Weekend, all of Tech Week, and Strike.
Best for: Someone organized with good attention to detail and skills in sewing, repairing, shopping, etc.
-
Summary: In collaboration with Costume Designer, create and oversee implementation of a plan for period-appropriate hair and makeup looks for all characters in the production. Either train actors and crew on implementation of design, or can choose to serve backstage during shows to do looks yourself.
Commitment: Production meetings, independent time researching and practicing looks, some of load-in weekend, tech, possibly performances, and strike.
Best for: Someone interest in period-specific research, creative, with some pre-existing knowledge of working with hair and makeup.
-
Summary: Support the stage manager with their role, with a particular focus on prop tracking and backstage management. Serve as Stage Manager for any rehearsals the SM needs to miss. Lead the Stage Crew backstage during performances.
Commitment: Some rehearsals, some of load-in weekend, all of tech week, all performances, strike.
Best for: Someone organized, communicative, good with people, and good at serving as both a leader and a follower in a complex group.
-
Summary: With support from MTBT leadership, oversee box office / ticketing software, including inputting seating plans and ticket codes, monitoring phone and email inquiries, and managing check-in during performances.
Commitment: Flexible schedule starting with the beginning of rehearsals. Onsite for all performances.
Best for: Someone with strong administrative and organizational skills, prompt with deadlines, and comfortable with phone calls. Some daytime availability a plus.
-
Summary: Coordinate (with a team) Monday night dinners for the cast and crew to help cultivate a sense of community.
Commitment: Monday nights from April to June, plus some time to shop / prep / plan meals.
Best for: Someone with a gift for hospitality who loves to cook for large groups
-
Summary: Oversee lobby management and ushers/concessions team for performances.
Commitment: Some advance meetings and trainings, all performances.
Best for: someone with strong people skills and leadership instincts.
Supporting Roles (lower / more flexible commitment, still essential and a big gift to the show!)
-
Work on scenic projects to help bring the design to life.
Commitment: Build days (as many as possible, but not necessarily all of them), load-in weekend, possible ad hoc times if interested and available
Best for: Someone who loves building or working with their hands
-
Work with props designer and/or costume designer to create or find various elements of their designs
Commitment: Miscellaneous, as requested by designers
Best for: someone who wants to get involved but has limited availability; someone who loves shopping, research, or special projects
-
Work with Lighting Designer and Lighting Mentor to hang, move, circuit, and focus lights. Experience preferred but not necessary.
Commitment: Some of load-in weekend, additional dates as determined by lighting team
Best for: someone comfortable with heights, interested in working with their hands, and good at taking direction.
-
Support the show offstage during performances. Roles available in costumes / hair and makeup, booth (board operators, spotlights, etc.), sound, and backstage
Commitment: Tech week, performances
Best for: someone not available until June but eager to be involved in the excitement and energy of the shows themselves. Some reliable and consistent in showing up and taking direction
-
Support the administrative team in various ways, including marketing, development, and box office.
Commitment: various, dependent on roles
Best for: Anyone with admin skills keen to get involved and support the mission!
-
Support the preparation of Monday night dinners (either by assisting on Monday nights or covering weeks when the Hospitality Coordinator is unavailable to take point)
