Volunteers Week 2025: Meet Poppy

Poppy testing make-up for our production of Shrek

My name is Poppy and I am a volunteer at Louth Riverhead Theatre and with Louth Playgeors. I have been volunteering for three years in the wardrobe department working on shows such as Shrek, Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and so many others.

I always really enjoyed sewing and I had recently moved to the area and wanted a way to make friends whilst doing something I enjoyed. In our village newsletter there was an article looking for volunteers for the wardrobe department, so I went along to see how I could help and I’ve never looked back since.

I have really enjoyed making new friends and meeting many different people in the theatre. It is not just in your own department you make friends, but with everyone that works on the show, from backstage crew, to the technical team and the performers. I have enjoyed working on each different production and working alongside the director to creatively costume the shows and another favourite part is working behind the scenes of the live show helping with quick changing and making the show magic happen.

I would recommend volunteering for the theatre in any role that interest you. There are options to support front of house, behind the scenes building sets or with wardrobe. You don't need to be able to sew to help finding clothes and costume options is half the battle. It is a great place to meet lots of different people and volunteer as much as you can manage.