General Information

Staging a full-length ballet is an enormous undertaking! Preparations start well before Auditions and continue several weeks after the final curtain. While the dancers, artistic staff, and faculty members focus on preparing the on-stage part of the production, the MYB Parents Organization and cast parents help make the backstage and front-of-house magic happen!

Each cast family is asked to volunteer for AT LEAST 2 Pre-Production and 2 Production Week tasks.

There are a wide variety of tasks to choose from and there is truly something for every skill level/interest type/availability. Tasks will include (but are not limited to):

Pre-Production

September through mid-December (includes 2 studio dress rehearsals)

  • Costume Fittings
  • Lower Division Rehearsal Support
  • Marley Rehearsal Flooring Moving
  • Lobby Decor Planning
  • Sponsorship Coordination
  • Costume alterations/embellishment
  • Crafting Boutique Items
  • Prop & Set Sourcing/Repair/Construction
  • Marketing
  • Poster Distribution
Production Week

(Includes 2 theatre dress rehearsals and 4 shows)

  • Equipment Load In/Load Out
  • Stage Crew
  • Dressing Room Supervision
  • Lobby Decorating
  • Box Office
  • Boutique/Bake Sale/Flower Sale
  • Costume Packup
  • Lobby Attendant/Ushers
  • Strike (Clean up)

Moms, dads, grandparents and other supporting adults are encouraged to volunteer. Certain tasks are suitable for teenage siblings of dancers (see task descriptions) and volunteer service hours can be earned.

Volunteer sign ups are managed using the SignUp.com platform. Accounts are free and each family will need to set one up. Each SignUp lists the tasks, their date/time (if applicable) and a description of what the task involves.

Links to SignUps will be emailed to cast families and posted on the MYB website Members page for access throughout the production. NOTE: For this production there are two different Pre-Production SignUps, DATE SPECIFIC and GENERAL (choose at least 2 tasks total from either) and one Production Week SignUp (choose at least 2 tasks).

  • Pre-Production Date Specific (tasks like costume fittings, marley moving, rehearsal dancer support that have a specific and confirmed date/time).
  • Pre-Production General (tasks like boutique crafting, marketing, set construction that take place over several months, on your own schedule, or on a yet-to-be specified date).
  • Production Week (tasks like stage crew, lobby decorating that take place in the week leading up to and including the performances and are related directly to Dress Rehearsals and the shows).
    • Will open no later than December 1.

A mandatory parent meeting will be held during each Audition group. The agenda will cover:

  • Performance overview and dancer expectations (by Artistic Director)
  • Discussion of volunteer tasks, signup process, and urgent needs (by Parent Organization)
  • Q&A (by “veteran” parents)
  • In person sign up opportunity for Pre-Production tasks

If you need any information prior to the Parent Meeting, you can reach out to the MYB Volunteer Coordinator at catherinekennedy1201@gmail.com.

Family Volunteer Agreement

Please fill out and submit the form below to confirm your understanding and agreement.

Do you or a family member have a business, or know a business owner who might be interested in sponsoring the production or providing donated/discounted services or products (moving crews, printers, boutique merchandise, photography/videography etc.)? Please provide details – we will not reach out without discussing with you first.

I agree to volunteer for AT LEAST 2 Pre-Production and 2 Production Week tasks. *

If you checked the "I request further discussions..." box, a staff member or Parent Organization member will contact you.

I/an adult representative from my family will attend the Parent Meeting at Auditions. *

Your support and commitment of time, skills, and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated! THANK YOU in advance for your efforts to ensure Metropolitan Youth Ballet’s continued success in presenting professional quality ballet productions for our dancers and the Central Indiana community!