Monday, August 21, 2017

What I did this weekend - Volunteering for the AcroCats



Last week the AcroCats came to Portland Maine. I saw the show a couple of years ago and I thought it might be fun to see it again. When I went to check out the times of the shows I noticed that one date corresponded with the day the Catman climbs up Mount Washington every year so I thought about inviting someone to go with me. When I saw they were looking for volunteers and I thought that might be even more fun.

I decided Saturday afternoon would work best. They had an online form so I signed up; I never received a confirmation which I thought was pretty odd, but when I went to check the next day my name was on the list, so I figured they were expecting me. I showed up a few minutes late and after a bit of confusion on my part as to where to go, I met Charmaine. She was busy downstairs boiling chicken for the show so she sat me down with the waiver to fill out (the "do you know you are volunteering and that means you aren't getting paid and we aren't responsible if you are foolish and get hurt" kind of waiver). Unfortunately, the times for volunteering were off on the website and I ended up being there about an hour before I needed to be.


They are so well run, that there really wasn't a need for a volunteer until just before the show when they loaded the cats from the bus into the theatre. We were asked to carry the kitties from the bus to the stage. The cats were brought to the bus door so I didn't even get to see the bus (not that I expected to). I did, however, get to snuggle a kitten.. and you know me, I'm all about the kittens.


The other two volunteers were the ticket takers at the door and I got to play gatekeeper by the stage door because the audience wasn't to be let in until half an hour before the show. Being that everyone there was a cat person, and cat people rock, it all went very smoothly. I was impressed with the number of young boys there, many dressed in cat t-shirts. There was one boy there who was very keen on the kittens and very well-mannered. He asked for permission to touch the kittens and then went back to tell his mom all about them. When he found out they were up for adoption, I know he asked his mother for permission because a few minutes later he came back to ask for an adoption application. It was so sweet. It restored some of my faith in humanity.

When the doors opened, everyone filed in and followed the rules, there was very little for me to do. I directed people as needed and thanked them for coming to the show. I was told when the show started I could take any available seat but I was planning on just standing off to the side, but I saw an empty seat right up on the front row in the corner that was unobtrusive and took it.


Pudge is my favorite for obvious reasons. Jax is also adorable and wandered off many times during the show to let the audience pet her, including the people in standing room only


Once the tricks were over, the Rock Cats performed.


and after that, it was the meet and greet. You could pet two of the kitties and take selfies with any of the others.


My job was then to direct the audience up onto the stage and make sure there was a clear path for them to leave so we could get them all on and off the stage in time to get ready for the next show. Once the audience had left, I help put the kitties in a rigged up cat condo in the back so they could have a potty break if they needed one. Once that was over the job was done and I left. On the way out I ran into this fellow.


He was running right up to me until I took my phone out to take his photo, at which point he veered off and ran under the fence.

12 comments:

  1. My human is totally envious that you got to volunteer with the Acro-Cats! Maybe she will try to sign up next time they come to Los Angeles.

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  2. I love the Acro-Cats! I got to see them earlier this year in Florida, and I can't wait to see them again in October when they're coming through here!

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  3. How cool! I saw the signup for volunteer shifts when they were here earlier this year, but I didn't really know what volunteering entails. That sounds like a lot of fun!

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  4. That must be a really neat show to watch. and how cool that you got to be involved, too.

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  5. what fun...mom got to see them and would love it if they came around our house.

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  6. Wow, you could volunteer for that? I had no idea! The show was so neat.

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  7. What a very fun opportunity! I hope they make their way out here so I can see the show.

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  8. I saw something about them on TV once.

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  9. How cool is that?!? What a fun experience for you.

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  10. That sounds like a very fun way to spend the day.

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  11. How much fun! We've seen them and love them.

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  12. How cool ! That sounds like a fun experience ! Purrs

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