Volunteer

Calling for volunteers:

The Mahindra Group proudly presents the 20th edition of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) & Festival to be held in New Delhi in March 2025. Recognising and rewarding all aspects of theatre production and stage craft, META is one of Indian theatre’s premier awards.

Volunteers are the face of META and Teamwork Arts, and form the backbone of the week-long theatre festival. Therefore, commitment, professionalism and enthusiasm is what we expect from every META volunteer.

META volunteers will be in the spotlight at the Festival as they take on the theme of the plays in their appearance and demeanour, with the aim of giving our audience a wholesome theatre experience. Though the Festival attracts some of the biggest names in the world of theatre, we need our volunteers to be focused on their duties rather than the invited guests and celebrities. As a volunteer, you will get the opportunity to work closely with the Festival producers, judges, theatre artistes and audiences; all while making one of the most comprehensive theatre awards in the country a remarkable success!

Before applying to be a volunteer for META, please read the Terms and Conditions carefully:

• Registration for volunteer Application will be open till 2nd of March 2025 till 05:00 PM .
• Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
• The commitment required is of roughly 09 to 10 days [including 1 day of training, 7 days of the festival (13th - 20th March) and 1 day of wrap up].
• Volunteers are expected to work from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm (tentative).
• Background experience in theatre is recommended, but not necessary.
• First preference when selecting volunteers will go to those residing in Delhi-NCR
• Ensure that the details you have entered are correct and that you have read through the form thoroughly before submitting.
• If shortlisted, applicants will be called in for an interview and will be intimated about the same via email. It is important that you keep checking your SPAM FOLDERS for updates.
• A virtual/telephonic interview will be conducted for volunteers who have worked with us for other festivals. Those applying for the first time will have to be present for a personal interview which will be conducted at our office in Sultanpur, Delhi. The training and interview process is mandatory.
• All department allocations are binding. Requests to change the departments will not be entertained. Please do respect the outcome of our volunteer selection process. While you will be assigned a specific department, you may be required to double-up and take on additional roles, as and when needed.
• Teamwork Arts will not be responsible for travel, transport and accommodation for volunteers outside of Delhi NCR.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner and/ or refreshments will be provided at the Festival venue (Shri Ram Centre/ Kamani Auditorium). However, volunteers are advised to carry basic refreshments like biscuits and fruits from home.
• We would appreciate a ten-day prior notice if any volunteer wishes to back-out after they have been selected.
• If selected to be a volunteer, you will receive a basic honorarium and certificate/letter of appreciation for your work after the event.

Selected Volunteers will be assigned specific departments and duties (at the discretion of the organisers) which are listed below. These duties may change according to the requirements of the event. Please read carefully:

Artiste Liaison: Volunteers will receive all performing artistes and assist them throughout the day. Being truly hospitable, warm, and making a concerted effort to fulfil every request from the artiste is the prime responsibility of the Artiste Liaison Volunteers.

Box Office Management: Volunteers will be expected to manage the invitee lists, coordinate with the ticketing agency, update daily sales reports and ensure that the sale of tickets is tracked properly.

Food and Beverage Management: Volunteers must ensure that all F&B requirements are well stocked and that all green rooms are clean and well maintained. Volunteers will also need to help manage crowds during peak hours.

Jury Management: Volunteers will have to take care of META Jury Members which includes welcoming them at the airport, helping them check-in to their hotels, and escorting them to META venues. This role requires thorough knowledge about the Festival schedule, the venues, the plays, and other information such as the background of the plays and artistes. Ensuring the hospitality and well-being of the Jury Members is of prime importance as they are eminent personalities of the theatre and arts community.

Logistics (Transport + Accommodation): Volunteers will be in-charge of taking care of each artistes’ itinerary, organising appropriate transportation between venues and hotels, and handling their accommodation. One of the most stimulating albeit most challenging departments, Logistics requires meticulous time-keeping and organisational skills. Volunteers in this department must be quick thinkers and be able to tackle any problem(s) that may arise.

Social Media: Volunteers will be required to work on-ground to capture the ambience of the Festival, behind-the-scenes activities and performances to generate online content for the Festival. This is a great opportunity for you to work alongside our digital team and hone in your photography and videography skills.

Venue Management: Volunteers will make sure that all venues are ready prior to every event. They will also have to manage the audience during shows and assist artistes after their performances, during pack-up, and when they vacate the auditorium. Venue Management volunteers will also be managing the crowd and ushering people in and out of the venue.P.S. Possessing a DSLR is a major pro!

TERMS and CONDITIONS

• Once you have been allotted a department, there will be no changes made. Please do respect the outcome of our volunteer selection process. While you will be assigned a specific department, you may be required to double up and take on additional roles, when needed.
• We would appreciate a five-day prior notice if a volunteer wishes to back out after his/her selection.
• Once shortlisted, applicants will be called in for an interview and will be intimated on the same via email. A skype/telephonic interview will be conducted for the volunteers who have worked with us before on other festivals. Those applying for the first time will have to be present for a personal interview which will be conducted at our office in Sultanpur, Delhi. The training and interview process is mandatory.
• Teamwork Arts will not take care of travel, transport and accommodation of outstation volunteers. However, lunch/dinner will be provided depending on the working hours.
• Our first preference when selecting volunteers will go to those residing in Delhi/having accommodation arrangements in Delhi.
• Those selected to be volunteers will receive an honorarium and certificate/letter of appreciation for their work after the event.

We look forward to a lasting partnership and hope META gives back to you its essence and spirit just as you give it your best.