Volunteer for NEFFA 2025!

This page is for Sound/Stage Volunteers only. If you're interested in other jobs, please go here.

Useful information:

Problems with this form? Contact Sound Volunteer Coordinator <soundvols@neffa.org>

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience in theater or running sound? NO! We welcome interested volunteers at all experience levels. We offer FREE sound workshops in February, March and April in the Greater Boston area, New York City and sometimes beyond. (Starred jobs are open to beginners.)
Am I old enough? While we have no fixed cut-off age, team members must take their jobs seriously, show up on time, and handle our sound equipment with appropriate care. Some of our best volunteer sound engineers started with NEFFA before they were teens, but most of our team members are high school aged or older. Media-Wrangling is a particularly good entry-level job for young teens.
How many hours do I need to work? All sound team jobs require a minimum 2-hour shift. A few require longer shifts. Most team members sign up for multiple shifts, averaging at least 4-6 hours total work time, which qualifies them for free admission to the entire weekend.

You'll make our life much easier if you fill out your form by March 15th, but if you can't do that, we frequently have last-minute spots to fill, so by all means send your form in anyway, even if it's late. However, the best spots go to the folks who fill them in on time!

We are providing Sound Engineers (also responsible for Stage Management) in the following rooms, and also need setup/strike people for them: Princess, Marlborough, Ballroom A/B, Seminar

We are also providing Stage Hands to work with the professional engineers in these rooms: Ballroom C/D/E, Trade Center West

Please enter your information:

First Name: Cell Phone:
Last Name: Email:
I am a returning volunteer and my address/phone number has not changed.
Address:
 
City:    
State:
Zip Code: What town do you work in?

If you are under 18

Age:
Parent/Guardian Name:
Parent/Guardian Phone:

Hours and Schedule:

How many hours are you willing to volunteer? Remember that there are minimum hour requirements for free admission to Festival sessions, including the sessions you work. (See the Festival Volunteer page for details.) Six hours gets you free admission to the entire Festival!

Min total hours you are willing to work?
Max total hours you are willing to work?

Indicate below the times you are available to help. The more times you are available, the more chances you have of getting your preferred job.

Thursday  
  9am9:3010:0010:3011:0011:30Noon12:30 1:001:302:002:303:003:304:00
Best            
Better            
OK            
No            
  4:305:005:306:00 6:307:007:308:00 8:309:009:3010:00 10:3011:0011:30
Best
Better
OK
No
 
Friday [grid]
  9am9:3010:0010:3011:0011:30Noon12:30 1:001:302:002:303:003:304:00
Best
Better
OK
No
  4:305:005:306:00 6:307:007:308:00 8:309:009:3010:00 10:3011:0011:30
Best
Better
OK
No
 
Saturday [grid]
  9am9:3010:0010:3011:0011:30Noon12:30 1:001:302:002:303:003:304:00
Best
Better
OK
No
  4:305:005:306:00 6:307:007:308:00 8:309:009:3010:00 10:3011:0011:30
Best
Better
OK
No
 
Sunday [grid]
  9am9:3010:0010:3011:0011:30Noon12:30 1:001:302:002:303:003:304:00
Best
Better
OK
No
  4:305:005:306:00 6:307:007:308:00 8:309:009:3010:00 10:3011:0011:30
Best
Better
OK
No
 



Notes about your availability:

Available Jobs:

View detailed job descriptions (Opens to a new window.)

Please check the jobs you are interested in, and then fill out the extra information for each selected job. Please select at least one job.

Beginner friendlySound Engineer
 
Experience:All levels. Anyone new to NEFFA sound must have attended at least one NEFFA Sound Workshop.
When:2-4 hour shifts (or longer) during NEFFA
What:Run mixing boards, adjust microphones and cables, make sure that performers start and stop on time. No one will be assigned beyond their skill level.
Sound Engineers must sign up for 2 or 4 hour blocks, beginning and ending during a performance set, and not ending during a festival session break.
Have you been a NEFFA Sound Engineer before? Yes No
How would you rate your experience level?
What types of boards are you comfortable using?
Analog
Digital
Have you ever attended a NEFFA sound workshop? Yes No
If yes, what year?
What type of music are you used to working with, or dancing to, or listening to? (check all that apply!)
Anglo Folk
Rock
Israeli
Balkan
 International Folk
Contra Dance
Couple Dance
English Country Dance
Other:
If you have never worked as a NEFFA Sound Engineer before, you MUST attend a NEFFA-sponsored Sound Workshop (even if you are an experienced engineer). Workshops are free and details can be found at the bottom of this page.
Zoom Remote Host
 
Experience:NEFFA Zoom Training
When:During Festival
Where:Work from home
Have you hosted Zoom events before? Yes No
How many 1 Hour sessions are you willing to work?
Beginner friendlyStage Hand
 
Experience:None. Stagehands must be able to take direction, remain calm and work well with people. Sound or Stage Hand Workshop recommended, but not required.
When:Half or full festival session during NEFFA
What:Help performers on and off stage, move chairs and music stands, do stage safety checks, assist sound engineers by writing down mic numbers, watch the clock.
Where:Ballroom C/D/E, Trade Center West, Seminar Room
Have you been a NEFFA Stage Hand before? Yes No
Please describe (briefly) your previous experience:
How many Festival Sessions are you willing to work?
Which Dance Hall do you prefer?
Which Festival Sessions are you willing to work? Friday 7pm - 11:30pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 5pm - 11:30pm
Sunday 10am - 5:30pm
Transporter (Equipment Transportation)
 
Experience:No sound experience, but must be a safe and experienced driver with access to a hatchback, van or covered pickup truck.
When:Festival week: includes Thursday or Friday afternoon and Sunday evening.
What:Pick up borrowed sound equipment and transport to the NEFFA site in time for setup. Load borrowed sound equipment at the conclusion of strike and return to its owner. Equipment may be stored in a safe place by transporter to permit earlier pick-up or later return. Specific schedule determined in consultation with the Sound Logistics Coordinator.
One load (one way, either to or from the festival) gets you two sessions.
How many loads are you willing to transport?
What kind of vehicle do you have?
What days are you available? Thursday
Friday
Sunday
Monday
Can you drive a small rental truck (12' - 15')? Yes No
Floater
 
Experience:Extensive sound
When:One full festival session
What:Support the Crew Chief by supporting Volunteer Sound Engineers. Sit in for missing Volunteers, mentor, provide extra hands as needed.
You must be an Advanced NEFFA Sound Engineer to be a floater. Floaters must sign up to work for a full festival session.
Have you been a NEFFA Floater before? Yes No
Which Festival Sessions are you willing to work? Friday 7pm - 11:30pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 5pm - 11:30pm
Sunday 10am - 5:30pm
Crew Chief
 
Experience:Extensive, both NEFFA and Sound
When:One full festival session (approx. six hours)
What:Supervise and, with the help of Floaters, support all Volunteer Sound Engineers: Sit in for missing Volunteers, help those who are in over their heads, troubleshoot equipment/personnel problems. Assist with setup and strike if possible so as to understand the rigs. Work with both concerts and dances.
Have you been a NEFFA Crew Chief before? Yes No
Which Festival Sessions are you willing to work? Friday 7pm - 11:30pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 5pm - 11:30pm
Sunday 10am - 5:30pm
Beginner friendlyMedia Wrangler
 
Experience:Must be able to listen to music on CDs, USB sticks, iPods, etc
When:Shifts from 3 hours prior to and during Dance Performance Blocks. Minimum shift 2 hours.
What:Sit at a desk and check-in music from Dance Performance groups. Briefly interview group leaders to find out any last-minute information or changes. Check media handed in to confirm it contains the expected music. Pass music backstage for the performances.
Where:trade center
Have you been a NEFFA Media Wrangler before? Yes No
Curtains Setup/Strike
 
Experience:Stage experience preferred, but some beginners can be accommodated. Must be in good physical shape.
When:Friday (roughly 10-4pm) and strike on Sunday. Must work a full setup or a full strike.
What:Hang heavy curtain on poles or floor-mounted stands
Have you ever worked on the Curtains Setup or Strike Crew? Yes No
Are you comfortable on a ladder? Yes No
What days are you available? Thursday Setup
Friday Setup
Sunday Strike
Sound Setup/Strike
 
Experience:Experience preferred, but we may be able to accommodate one beginner if it’s for most of setup and strike. Two-hour minimum shift
When:Friday morning - afternoon (roughly 10:00 am - 5:00 pm), Sunday evening (roughly 4:30 - 8:00 pm)
What:Bring equipment to its designated rooms, put it together, test it, make sure everything is secured safely. Strike designated rooms, pack up equipment and help load into vehicles.
Have you ever worked on the Sound Setup or Strike Crew at NEFFA? Yes No
What days are you available? Friday Setup/Testing
Sunday Strike


Free Workshops - in general

I am interested in attending a Basic Engineering workshop this year.
I am an experienced sound engineer who would like to attend a refresher workshop.
I am interested in an online digital sound board training.
I am interested in a stage hand workshop.
All workshops, including ones not listed here, will be announced via the NEFFA sound volunteer email list. You are welcome to attend a workshop you didn't sign up for. If it's listed as space-limited, please just email SoundVols@neffa.org as soon as you decide so we can add you to the attendee list.

Please DO NOT return to this page to add workshops! That will wipe out your entire volunteer application!



Is there anything else you'd like to tell us?



New England Folk Festival Association