Get Involved!
...because we really don't want to do this all by ourselves.
How Do I Get Suckered into Involved with Follies?
Glad you asked!
There are all sorts of ways you can help out with Follies, from Cast Member to Writing Team to Stage Crew to Business Team to Executive Board. While the level of required involvement varies for each role, volunteering for Follies is guar-an-teed to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling. Still Interested? Check out all the cool roles YOU could have!
While positions for this year's show are full, next year's show needs an entirely new crew. It's never too early to think about 2009 Follies!
Writers
Do you know what a pencil is? How about paper? If you answered yes to both of these, HOORAY! You are qualified to write for Follies! Brainstorming/writing sessions typically start in September, and everyone is welcome to participate. If you're looking for a way to mold the content of the show, writing is where you want to be.
Actors
Each year, talented and talentless Rossers alike assemble to put on the greatest shows in Ann Arbor. Every Ross MBA (and their partners) is encouraged to participate; auditions generally occur during December.
Skit Directors
Each live action skit has a Skit Director who is responsible for coordinating and directing the skit with under guidance of the Show Director. Skit Directors need to have a creative eye and a passion for putting on a great show. Cookie-baking skills wouldn't hurt either. Skit Directors are typically selected during December auditions.
Choreographers
It takes a certain set of skills to get a mass of uncoordinated MBAs to move with any sense or rhythm. Choreographers work with Skit Directors to get the dance moves right. Choreographers are typically selected during December auditions.
Video Skit Directors
Each video skit has a Video Skit Director who is responsible for not only shooting the video, but also editing it for use in the show. Don't worry! We'll help you with all the nerdy technical stuff! Video Skit Directors are typically selected during December auditions.
Video Team
Video editing is a unique skill that many people involved with Follies have become very good at over the years. To spread the knowledge, and to support the Video Director and Video Skit Directors, Follies likes to have a team of people who are familiar with the software tools necessary to edit a video successfully. This is a great opportunity to learn how to edit video if you aren't familiar with it already.
Sales Team
Follies typically receives support from area merchants who purchase ad space in the Follies program. The sales team is responsible for selling this ad space in the community. This is a great opportunity to build confidence and practice those sales skills ahead of interviews!
Stage Crew
One of the most important parts of Follies is having a functional crew that can do everything from running the spotlight, to working the light board, to moving props around the stage. Experience isn't necessary but it is always appreciated. Look for a request for help from the Stage Manager in January.
Executive Board
The Executive Board is responsible for setting the overall direction of the show and coordinating everything. Most of the board is generally selected from applications received in March while some positions are left open until the Fall and are generally filled by incoming students. Look for a request for applications to be emailed out.
Producer
The producer is responsible for pulling together all of the logistical pieces that make the Show possible. Establishes and manages vendor relationships, books the theatre and rehearsal space, oversees the "business of Follies" and ensures that everyone else on the board and in the cast has what they need to get their jobs done. The Producer and Director together set direction for the overall management of the production.
Director
Responsible for look, feel, and content of the show. Oversees creative side, manages auditions and casting, skit director selection and rehearsals. Time and (red hot) passion are big requirements for this one.
Assistant Director
The Assistant Director assists with all creative and directorial duties, is a sounding board for the Director, and must take over the entire production in case of Director meltdown/death. Duties include assisting in the coordination of auditions and casting as well as providing creative input into the direction of scripts during writing and in rehearsal.
Head Writers
These individuals rule the Cottage Inn first semester and shape the content of the show. They are organizers and managers, but have also have writing capability and creativity. Most of the organizational work happens first semester with the show being finalized at the end of November (what?), but Head Writers are very involved with the scripts until the bitter end. They are also involved in many other aspects of the creative production, are key creative advisors, and have their fingerprints all over the show. Requires some writing experience, an exceptional sense of humor, tons of creativity, and ability to manage the writership.
Video Director
Those videos in the show were done by many people, but polished and edited and edited and polished (yes, this one requires time and passion too) by one person. Aside from editing, the Video Director is responsible for managing all video skit directors and their work, and producing a fantastic DVD. This requires some film editing experience--the more the better.
Technical Director
Do you enjoy making things happen behind the scenes? Do you like the rush of pulling something together in a short amount of time (read: really short)? Do you have backstage experience? Do you have attention to detail and are you something of a perfectionist? If so, this is the job for you. Requires flexibility and a sense of humor.
Stage Manager
Are you an operations person who can lead people like Patton? If so, Stage Manager could be for you. This person controls the timing of the show from 'Curtain Up!' to 'Curtain Down!'. Requires a sense of humour, flexibility, and the ability to work under pressure.
Business Manager
The business manager writes the most important part of the show--the checks. If you have a head for money and like to laugh, this is a great position for you.
Marketing Director
The challenge of Follies Marketing is keeping it funny, edgy, and effective. You are in charge of all of the show's marketing, including the display case, the program, the sponsorships, the t-shirts, the tickets, communications, the DVD, and then some...actually, and then a lot. This role requires a creative marketing genius and a bunch of enthusiasm.
Marketing Managers
A small team of Marketing Managers is responsible for helping the Marketing Director keep the marketing of Follies going. Activities range from soliciting corporate sponsorship to producing the Follies program to updating the website.