Figueres a Escena

How Volunteers Help Us Run Family Matinees

A family matinee can look effortless from the audience: children settle into their seats, the lights soften, performers take the stage and the story begins. Behind that calm experience is a carefully coordinated team, including the volunteers who welcome families, guide movement through the venue and respond to the small surprises that come with a young audience.

At Figueres a Escena, volunteers are an essential part of the community around Teatre El Jardí and Sala La Cate. Their support helps us make theatre, music, dance, cinema, circus and family performances warm, accessible and well organised for everyone who comes through our doors.

Welcoming Families Before The Curtain

The family matinee begins well before the advertised start time. Volunteers help prepare foyers, check that signage is clear and make sure families know where to find the auditorium, toilets, pram storage and accessible entrances. This first welcome can make a considerable difference to parents arriving with bags, snacks, tired toddlers or excited school-aged children.

Many families plan cultural outings around school holidays and weekend routines. That is familiar to Australian audiences, where a trip to a Melbourne arts precinct, a Sydney theatre or a regional performing arts centre may need to fit around sport, naps and public transport. Our volunteers understand that a relaxed greeting and practical direction can ease the transition from a busy day into a shared cultural experience.

They also help visitors who may be attending the venue for the first time. A family matinee should feel inviting rather than formal, and volunteers create that atmosphere through clear communication, patience and a willingness to notice when someone needs assistance.

Creating A Smooth Audience Experience

Once doors open, volunteers help the audience move safely and comfortably. They scan or check tickets, show families to their seats and keep an eye on busy foyer areas. When a child needs to leave during a performance, a volunteer can provide discreet guidance without making the family feel embarrassed.

Young audiences respond differently to live performance. Some become absorbed in the action, while others need reassurance, a break or a quieter place. Volunteers work alongside venue staff to support these needs and help maintain a positive environment for performers and audience members alike. Their presence is especially valuable during interactive shows, circus performances and productions with music or lighting effects.

The Australian performing arts market has placed increasing attention on accessible and family-friendly experiences, including relaxed performances and sensory-aware planning. Families may also expect straightforward information about accessibility, pram access and seating options. Our volunteers help turn those commitments into practical assistance on the day.

Supporting Performers And Venue Teams

A successful children’s show depends on more than what happens in front of the curtain. Volunteers may help with backstage directions, artist hospitality, props, audience flow and the preparation of activity areas. They do not replace trained technical or venue staff; instead, they extend the team’s capacity so professionals can concentrate on safety, production and artistic delivery.

Their work can be especially helpful when several activities take place around the same event. A performance may include a creative workshop, a post-show discussion or an informal meeting with the artists. Volunteers guide families between these moments and help keep the schedule moving without making the experience feel rushed.

Family programming often draws on playful forms such as puppetry, physical theatre and storytelling. Volunteers stay curious about the art they support, and resources such as puppet theatre ideas can offer useful inspiration for hands-on activities and conversations with children after a show. This connection between performance and participation helps young audiences see the venue as a place for discovery.

What Volunteers Bring To The Community

Our volunteers bring local knowledge, generosity and a strong understanding of how a community uses its cultural spaces. Some have experience in education, customer service, events or the arts. Others simply enjoy meeting people and helping families have a good day. Their different perspectives make the audience experience more responsive.

They also help connect generations. A grandparent may attend with grandchildren, a parent may be introducing a child to theatre for the first time, and a teenager from ATEB may be taking an early step towards performing or working in the arts. Volunteers help these encounters feel natural and welcoming.

This community spirit has a familiar counterpart in Australia, where volunteers support festivals, local theatres, school productions and weekend markets. The same practical generosity can be seen at a community arts centre in Adelaide, a regional venue in Newcastle or a family event in Brisbane. It is a reminder that cultural life grows through participation, not only attendance.

Small Tasks That Make A Big Difference

A matinee depends on many simple actions being completed at the right moment. Volunteers may spend part of their shift checking the foyer and another part answering questions, but every task contributes to a reliable experience for families and artists.

Some responsibilities are visible, while others happen quietly in the background:

The human side of volunteering matters just as much as the practical side. A calm explanation can help a nervous child, while a friendly suggestion can help a family discover another programme event. Volunteers also share useful observations with the team, helping us understand what audiences need.

During planning and on the day, volunteers may assist with:

Their contribution allows family sessions to remain flexible while protecting the rhythm of the performance. It also helps us learn from each event and improve the way we welcome people at future shows.

Building A Lasting Cultural Habit

When families receive a warm welcome, they are more likely to return. A positive first theatre experience can lead to another family show, a film screening, a concert or a workshop. Over time, children begin to recognise the venue, the staff and the rituals of attending a live event.

Volunteers help create this continuity. They may greet the same families across a season, recognise returning children and point visitors towards related activities. The Figueres a Escena forum also provides a place to discover information about events and the wider cultural programme, helping audiences remain connected beyond one matinee.

This relationship is valuable in every local market, including Australia, where arts organisations work hard to build repeat attendance in the face of rising household costs and busy family schedules. A welcoming, well-run experience can make a cultural outing feel worthwhile and encourage families to include the arts in their regular plans.

Volunteering also creates a pathway for people who want to learn more about venue operations, audience services or community arts. By taking part, volunteers gain experience while contributing to a cultural environment that belongs to everyone.

If you would like to support family matinees at Figueres a Escena, join our volunteer community and help make each visit welcoming, practical and memorable. Your time can help a child feel at home in a theatre, give a family confidence to return and strengthen the shared cultural life of Figueres.