Friends of Summer Place Theatre – Events & Engagement Team

We are excited to introduce a new way to get involved with Summer Place Theatre: Friends of Summer Place Theatre. This program is designed for people who want to support SPT in ways that match their interests, skills, and availability. Whether you want to volunteer your time, make a financial contribution, or do both, Friends of Summer Place Theatre offers meaningful ways to help strengthen our organization and support our future.

This program was created to help us:

• Strengthen community involvement
• Increase volunteer engagement
• Expand fundraising capacity
• Create sustainable operational support
• Build long-term relationships with patrons and families

This opportunity is ideal for those who want to help create fun, welcoming, and meaningful experiences that build connection among patrons, volunteers, artists, and supporters of Summer Place Theatre.

Events & Engagement Team

The Events & Engagement Team helps Summer Place Theatre create memorable experiences that strengthen community, celebrate our volunteers and artists, and deepen audience connection to the organization. This is a great opportunity for volunteers who enjoy planning, hospitality, collaboration, and bringing people together.

Volunteers in this area might help with:

Cabaret Planning

Assist with organizing cabarets and special performance-based events that bring people together in a fun and engaging way. This may include helping coordinate logistics, brainstorm themes, support performers and participants, assist with promotion, and help create an enjoyable experience for both guests and artists.

Opening Night Receptions

Help plan and coordinate opening night receptions that make performances feel festive and welcoming. Volunteers may assist with setup, decorations, refreshments, guest flow, hospitality, and other details that help create a special experience for cast, crew, patrons, and supporters.

Volunteer Appreciation Events

Support the planning of events and activities that recognize and celebrate the time, energy, and dedication of Summer Place Theatre volunteers. This could include helping organize appreciation gatherings, recognition moments, thank-you initiatives, or seasonal events that make volunteers feel valued and connected.

Social Gatherings

Help create informal opportunities for members of the Summer Place community to connect outside of performances and production work. This may include planning casual meetups, outings, mixers, or seasonal gatherings that build friendships and strengthen the sense of community around the theatre.

Theatre Socials

Assist with events that bring together patrons, artists, volunteers, and supporters in theatre-centered social settings. These gatherings may include post-show events, themed socials, meet-and-greets, or other engagement opportunities designed to celebrate the organization and encourage deeper involvement.

Volunteer Commitment Levels

Ensemble Friend

Volunteer at least 10 hours per season

Recognition in program (Friends List)

Two Opening Night tickets for both shows

Spotlight Friend

25+ hours per season

Program recognition

Invitation to Friends appreciation event

Early access to tickets (24-hour presale window)

Four opening night tickets for both shows

Standing Ovation Friend

50+ hours per season

Featured recognition

Opening night invite (1 show)

SPT Friends pin or badge

Six Opening Night tickets for both shows

About Summer Place Theatre

The Summer Place, Inc. — commonly known as Summer Place Theatre — began in 1966 as a way to keep students active and their acting skills sharp over the summer months. It was founded by Donald “Doc” Shanower, then Dean of Theatre at North Central College. Summer Place Theatre has grown into a long-standing Naperville institution dedicated to providing high-quality community theatre.

Our Mission

The Summer Place, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, volunteer-supported community theatre based in the Naperville area, strives to provide professional-quality year-round theatre arts entertainment.

We are committed to providing:

• A supportive and collaborative environment for artists
• High-quality, culturally enriching entertainment to the community
• Educational opportunities for all ages through mentoring and performance-based participation

Summer Place receives funding through ticket sales, advertising sales, concessions, grants, and the generous donations of patrons. As a community theatre, Summer Place provides Naperville with the opportunity to gather, create, and share theatrical work at a very low cost. Major community support has also come from the Naperville Park District and Naperville School District 203.

To Apply

If you are passionate about the arts and want to help create meaningful, community-building experiences, we would love to hear from you. Whether you have event planning experience or simply enjoy bringing people together, the Events & Engagement Team offers a fun and rewarding way to support Summer Place Theatre.