Like to work with your hands?  Want to test and build those carpentry skills? Help build our beautiful sets under the guidance of our professional Technical Director and Set Designer. If you are interested in helping build our set, please contact our Operations Coordinator

Strike: Nothing is more satisfying than demolition! Each year, the Sunday after our last summer show closes, we strike our summer set and erase our presence from beautiful Austin Gardens. Help us break it all down to the ground!  (No experience with tools necessary.)

This year Strike will take place on August 21, 2022, start time TBD. 

If you are interested in helping take the set and venue apart, please contact our Operations Coordinator.

Have friends and colleagues who want to know more about OPFT and how they can support and get involved? Host an Event! If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser or awareness event, please contact our Managing Director.

If you’ve never served on a board before, we want to talk to you! The Oak Park Festival Theatre is actively adding new members to its Board of Directors, and we are reaching out to community members in the greater Chicago area for your nominations.

What are we seeking in a Board member?

Oak Park Festival Theatre is a vibrant, active, passionate and growing organization dedicated to and building a theatre that celebrates the timeless stories of artistic masterpieces. Our Board of Directors willingly gives their time, support, and guidance to ensure the organization is financially strong and effectively managed in an ethical and moral manner. You don’t need to have had prior theatrical involvement personally, but it helps if you’re a fan and feel as passionate as we do about keeping arts alive for all ages and all people!

As part of our expressed goals for achieving the best possible board, we look for candidates who have professional experience in finance, management, marketing, fundraising, organizational development and other key skills. We encourage nominations of BIPOC and disadvantaged community candidates, as our goals are to improve our diversity and inclusion throughout the organization.

What is involved in being on the Board?

The Board meets hybrid monthly on the first Tuesday. The main priorities of our Board of Directors are:

• Stewardship of the company Mission
• Fundraising
• Financial oversight and stability
• Board Recruitment
• Oversight of executive staff

Terms are 3 years, renewable, and you are eligible for officer roles as well. You are expected to serve on at least one of our committees – we’re a working board and we roll up our sleeves! In addition, there is a “give/get” commitment to either raise or donate a minimum of $1000 annually (waived the first year for new board members).

What are the perks of being on the Board?

First and foremost, it’s fun! We have an active and interesting group of people serving the needs of the OPFT organization, and you’ll be warmly welcomed into the family and put to work. The experience you bring to the table helps us grow and succeed.

Secondly, you are making a difference. In a 2014 study, 79% of Chicagoans said they believe arts and culture improve the livability of their communities, but more than half said they didn’t have access to performing arts in their neighborhoods. The intrinsic benefit of helping support powerful performances, meaningful content, and youth and adult training programs improves the fabric of not just Oak Park but surrounding communities as well. We actively partner with other organizations to make more culture available to more people, and to give back wherever we find need.

Additionally, you’ll be given the opportunity to have an inside look at each season and a vote on content selection, as well as getting to know the performers and management team of the company.

If you haven’t had board experience, serving on a nonprofit board is an excellent way to learn, and build your professional career skill set. Even if you’ve been on other boards before, we guarantee you’ll learn some new things by serving with us.

We want you to nominate yourself or someone else!

It’s easy – just send us an email to amy@oakparkfestival.com and someone will respond to you within three business days. This is an open call for nominations, with no deadline. We are keen to add new members, so please don’t delay!

If you have any questions, or just want more information, please call (708) 300-9396 or email amy@oakparkfestival.com.

To learn more about becoming a OPFT Board Member check out our Board Member Expectation Packet.