Frequently Asked Questions

23 January 2014

Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer

BE THE GAMES

Glasgow 2014XX Commonwealth Games

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the answers to some of the questions you might have about applying for a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer role in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

1. There is a Jack Morton logo on the login page. Who is Jack Morton Worldwide and what is its role in the production of the Glasgow 2014 Opening and Closing Ceremonies?

A. Jack Morton Worldwide is the major event production company that has been contracted by Glasgow 2014 Ltd to develop and produce the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Jack Morton Worldwide has extensive experience in the production of major events and has been responsible for a number of Games ceremonies, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and in Melbourne in 2006.

2. I would like to take part in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies, what opportunities are available?

A. The delivery of Glasgow’s Ceremonies will require a cast of up to 3,000 volunteer performers. The majority of our cast will perform live on the night. However, there are also some pre-recorded sequences and performances which will be filmed in advance of the Ceremonies. We are looking for enthusiastic individuals willing to contribute their passion, talent, energy and positive spirit to the Ceremonies. Inevitably, we’ll also be looking for a good deal of time commitment from the audition process through to rehearsals and the live performances.

3. As a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer what can I hope to gain from this experience?

A. Volunteering to join the Ceremonies cast will be a hugely rewarding experience. Glasgow’s

Ceremonies will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in an event which will showcase and celebrate Glasgow and Scotland to a global audience. This is your chance to be part of one of the most high profile and exciting moments in the history of the nation. In the process you’ll gain some valuable skills and make new and often lifelong friends. It’s an experience that you are bound to remember for the rest of your life.

4. How do I apply to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies?

To apply for your chance to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer, please visit www.glasgow2014.com. Many local libraries provide free access to the internet and may be able to offer you help with your application. In addition, there will be one-to-one application workshops held in Glasgow 2014’s offices. This will be by appointment only, so please call 030 3333 2014 and select option 1 to check availability and book an appointment. The deadline for applications is Friday 14 February 2014 at 17:00 (GMT). We encourage you to submit your application in advance of the closing date to ensure you have completed all the steps before the deadline. If you have not fully submitted your application by the deadline, unfortunately your application cannot be considered.

5. Do I need any specific skills to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer?

A. Previous experience and specific skills are not required. We are simply looking for energetic and enthusiastic individuals who are willing to commit to performing in a stadium to hundreds of millions of people around the world via live broadcast. We will teach you everything you need to do.

That said, if you do have any previous performance experience or specific skills you think we should know about, you can tell us about them in Step 3 of the application form.

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6. What do I need to know before I apply?

Both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will be performed in a stadium to live audiences in excess of 40,000. In addition, hundreds of millions of people will be watching the Ceremonies on television across the world.

— The Opening Ceremony performance will take place on 23 July 2014 at Celtic Park.

— The Closing Ceremony performance will take place on 3 August 2014 at Hampden Park.

Your application to join the cast can cover both Ceremonies as well as any pre-recorded sequences. However, if you are offered a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer role we cannot guarantee you will take part in all of these elements.

We are seeking applications from individuals who will be aged 18 years or over on 1 March 2014 and who meet our other eligibility criteria (if you are under 18 years old see questions 18 and 19. If you are a member of a group go to question 26). Before you apply please read the eligibility criteria on the application and the Application Guidance Notes.

The application deadline is on the 14 February 2014, at 17:00 (GMT). If by this point we have received more applications than we require, applicants will be randomly selected and invited to audition. Everyone will have the same chance of being offered an audition place!

7. If my application is selected, what are the next steps? A. If your application has been selected to go through to the next stage of the selection process, you will be notified via email and invited to an audition.

In your application you will be asked to provide details of your availability to attend auditions. Due to high demand we cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate your preferred audition time slot.

The details of which audition you should attend will be included in your invitation email. Please do not attend any other audition time slot other than the one you have been allocated. If you miss your audition time slot your application will no longer be considered.

For more information on the audition process please see questions 9, 10 and 11.

8. Will all applicants be invited to audition?

We would love to be able to meet everyone who applies, however, we may not be able to invite everybody to auditions if we receive too many applications.

Please note, the auditions are the next stage of the selection process. If you are invited to an audition this does not guarantee a place in the Ceremonies or pre-recorded sequences.

9. When and where will the auditions for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers be taking place?

A. The auditions for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers will take place during March 2014 within Glasgow. If you are selected to attend an audition you will be emailed the location details along with your audition date and time slot.

The auditions are closed call, which means there will be limited time slots available with attendance by invitation only.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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10. If I’m invited to an audition, what should I expect and what do I need to bring?

A. The audition is a fun experience in its own right. If you are invited to an audition, you will be with us for up to 2 hours.

Here is what you can expect:

— On arrival you will be checked in to your time slot.

— We’ll check your identification document for accreditation purposes as detailed in question 12.

— We’ll take a photograph of you, which will be used for ongoing Games Time Accreditation and casting purposes.

— We’ll take your body measurements to help us plan for costume requirements.

— You will then take part in a unique audition session – don’t worry, it’s all very relaxed and great fun.

You should wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes and trainer-type footwear. Please limit the amount of personal belongings you bring with you as we cannot take any responsibility for loss or damage.

Following the audition process, if we find we have more candidates than roles available, suitable applicants will be placed onto a reserve list and notified accordingly.

11. What is Games Time Accreditation and why do I need it?

A. The purpose of accreditation is to identify and register all persons involved in the staging of the Games, and allow them necessary access to perform their roles. Accreditation ensures that only qualified and eligible people are entitled to participate in and perform official functions at the Games.

The end result of the accreditation process is the issue of the Accreditation Passes to eligible and authorised individuals which identify the holders and visually display the specific access rights and/or other privileges needed to perform their functions.

12. What identification do I need to provide for accreditation purposes?

A. As part of your application you will need to submit details of your identification document. If you are invited for an audition, you will be asked to bring one of the following documents for accreditation purposes. This should be the same documentation as submitted in your application.

UK Nationals: — Passport — UK Photocard Driving Licence (full or provisional licences accepted)

— Long form birth certificate (original or certified copy issued within one year of birth).

If you bring a birth certificate, please ensure that it is a long form, original or certified copy issued within one year of birth. If you only have a birth certificate this must include the name(s) of at least one of your parents. If your birth certificate does not match these criteria, your birth certificate cannot be used for accreditation and you will need to provide either your passport or UK Photocard Driving Licence (full or provisional accepted).

If you bring either a birth certificate or UK Photocard Driving Licence (full or provisional accepted), please note that you will be required to provide other documentation to prove your eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

European Economic Area and Swiss Nationals: — Passport — National ID card

Other Nationalities: — Passport — Home Office-issued travel document (immigration status documents not accepted)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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13. I have been selected for an audition, what should I do if my audition time is no longer suitable?

A. If you have been selected at the application stage and have been invited to audition, you will receive the date and time of your audition in your invitation email. Unfortunately, due to high demand, the date and time of your audition cannot be rescheduled.

14. What time commitment is required to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer?

A. Following auditions, if you have been selected to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer, it is expected that you will commit yourself for the period of time that is required for rehearsals, any pre-recorded sequences and the Ceremonies themselves. The shows will be broken down into different segments – each with different rehearsal requirements. You will be sent a rehearsal schedule for the Ceremony and/or pre-recorded sequences in which you have been offered a role.

Rehearsals for the Ceremonies will take place between June and August 2014. There will be approximately 2–4 rehearsals per week on evenings and weekends, with each session lasting up to 4 hours. There will also be a number of full-day and evening rehearsals held during the three weeks leading up to each Ceremony.

If you have indicated that you are available for the pre-recorded sequences, then rehearsals and the shoots for these elements may take place during May/June 2014.

If you cannot attend all the rehearsals that you are requested to attend then unfortunately you will not be able to perform.

15. Can I apply if I don’t live in Glasgow?

A. Yes, you can. When deciding if you would like to apply and take part, please consider the time commitment required for the role and remember that all auditions, rehearsals and the Ceremonies themselves will take place in the Glasgow area. Please also consider your transport requirements and associated costs, as we cannot cover these.

16. I have applied to be Clyde-sider, can I do both?

A. If you have accepted a role as a Clyde-sider for the Games, you will not be able to apply as a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer. However, we can accept applications from volunteers who have applied to be a Clyde-sider but have not been offered a role.

The Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer role is not part of the Clyde-sider volunteer programme and therefore has different requirements and commitments.

17. Why do I have to state my gender when I apply?

A. The cultural/creative segments of the Ceremonies are delivered much like a stage play or musical in which there is a cast of male and female characters who tell the story. Asking for this information at this stage helps us to gauge the number of male and female applications we have received. Additionally, if you are offered a role, this information will be used to obtain your accreditation pass.

18. I will be 18 years old on 1 March 2014 but am 17 years old now. Can I apply?

A. If you are currently 17 years old but will be 18 years old or older on 1 March 2014 you can apply for a role as Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer. If you are invited to the next selection stage you will have to verify your age by producing your identification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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19. Will there be performing opportunities for people under the age of 18?

A. Yes, there will be performing opportunities for people under the age of 18. However, we will not be holding public open auditions to fill these roles. Instead, the Ceremonies team is working closely with local and national groups and organisations to source its under-18 cast requirements. This is because the specific legal and logistical requirements of working with children demand a local and coordinated operation.

20. What transport links will there be to auditions and rehearsals?

A. If your application has been selected and you have been invited to audition we will provide you with the details of the audition venue along with suggested transport links. Please note that we will not be able to provide expenses for your travel to and from auditions.

If you have been offered a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer role you will be requested to attend rehearsals. Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers will be responsible for getting to the rehearsal sites at all times. These sites will be in locations with good public transport links. When you are required to attend dress rehearsals and the Ceremony itself within the stadiums, transport will be provided from a central Glasgow location to the site. However, it will be the responsibility of Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer to cover the costs of getting to the central Glasgow location.

21. Will accommodation be provided for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers?

A. Unfortunately we cannot provide accommodation to Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers at any stage during auditions, rehearsals or performances.

You can find lots of useful information, including accommodation details, through: www.visitscotland.com/see-do/glasgow-commonwealth-games-2014/accommodation

22. Can Asylum Seekers and Refugees apply for a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer role for the Glasgow 2014 Ceremonies?

A. This will depend on your individual circumstances. United Kingdom law currently distinguishes between the entitlements of refugees and asylum seekers, which, in turn, determines the ability for Glasgow 2014 to make refugees and asylum seekers part of the Ceremonies cast.

Refugees and individuals with humanitarian protection

Refugees and those with humanitarian protection have no restrictions on the type of work (including volunteering) that they can do, as long as they continue to hold this qualifying status. Provided the individual meets the minimum eligibility criteria and is able to show the appropriate documentation to demonstrate their qualifying status, refugees will be permitted to apply to be a member of the Ceremonies cast. Please also be aware that any applicant successfully being ultimately confirmed as a cast member will depend upon the individual satisfying background security checks specific to the proposed role within the Ceremonies.

Asylum Seekers

The Home Office has produced guidance which provides that asylum seekers do not normally have the right to work in the United Kingdom and may only be employed where the Home Office has lifted restrictions on that individual working or, in relation to volunteering, if the individual is volunteering on behalf of a registered charity, voluntary organisation or body that raises funds for either, or public sector organisation. Since the Organising Committee is neither of these types of organisation, unfortunately we cannot accept applications from asylum seekers to form part of the Ceremonies cast. The only exception to this is where the Home Office has specifically lifted the normal restrictions on that individual from working and issued an Application Registration Card. As with all applicants, please be aware that any applicant successfully being confirmed as a cast member will depend upon the individual satisfying a background security check specific to the proposed role within the Ceremonies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Glasgow 2014 is working with our Games Partners to ensure a number of alternative opportunities to get involved in Glasgow and Scotland’s activities around the Games will be open to a wide range of people - including asylum seekers and refugees - and look forward to sharing further details in coming months.

23. If I don’t have a mobile phone number can I put my home telephone number on the application?

A. Yes, you can.

24. Why do you ask about special assistance?

A. We want to make sure that any applicant with specific personal requirements or a disability is provided with the necessary support at every stage of the Ceremonies experience – including of course the audition process. The information you supply in Step 2 in the application simply helps our operational planning and has no bearing on our selection process.

25. Why do you ask about dietary requirements?

A. For long rehearsal sessions, food may be provided for our Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers. If you have any special dietary requirements please select an option in Step 2 on the application form. This will help our operational planning, however, we cannot guarantee requests.

26. I belong to a theatre, dance, performance, sports group - can my group apply?

A. The Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer online application is for individuals only. All members of your group may apply if they meet the minimum criteria and all applications will be treated on an individual basis. You will not have the opportunity to perform as a group.

27. Can I apply if I have a criminal record?

A. Yes, you can. We ask all applicants to provide details of any unspent convictions (convictions which currently appear on the applicant’s criminal record). We will consider applications from applicants who have provided details of unspent convictions on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants are not required to provide details of any spent convictions (convictions which no longer appear on the applicant’s criminal record).

Please note that regardless of whether or not you have provided details of any unspent convictions, for security reasons you will be required to undergo a background security check, which is carried out by the Home Office and other authorities.

The UK Government’s Home Office will tell us if you have received a positive or negative screening result. If the result of your check is negative we will ask you to confirm that the information you gave us is accurate. Unless a mistake has been made, we will be unable to continue with your application to become a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer.

28. What sort of security checks must I go through?

A. Regardless of whether or not applicants have provided details of any unspent convictions, all applicants will be subject to a background security check.

Background security checks are required for the safety and security of the Ceremonies to protect the country from terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration. These checks will be carried out by the UK Government’s Home Office, the police and other relevant UK authorities and international authorities to whom the UK Home Office and the police may disclose your information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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29. How many hours per week can I volunteer to be a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer if I’m claiming benefits?

A. If you are offered a role as a Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performer, please contact the Universal Credit Service Centre on 0845 6000 723.

Should you be cast following the audition process, you can expect to be volunteering for approximately 2 - 4 rehearsals per week on evenings and weekends from May-August 2014. There will also be a number of full-day and evening rehearsals held during the three weeks leading up to each Ceremony.

30. Is there any financial support for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers?

A. We are actively exploring options for funding support for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers. All applications for Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers will be for individuals only. Groups who receive funding from the Lottery’s Celebrate Fund may be able to claim a contribution to the expenses of group members who are successful in being selected in their Celebrate application. To be eligible the cast members would have to be involved in a project with and for their own community as well as taking part in either of the Ceremonies. Expenses relating to participation in the Ceremonies would not normally exceed 5% of the overall award. For more information please visit www.celebrateit.org.uk

31. The online application is not working, what should I do?

A. At busy times you may experience a slower than usual response from the Ceremonies Volunteer Cast Performers’ application site and increased loading times as you move between pages.

If you are experiencing persistent problems, check which internet browser you are using and try an alternative such as Internet Explorer versions 6-10, Google Chrome or Firefox.

If you’re having trouble logging in from your place of work, or you’re using a shared computer, this could be due to the security settings. If this is the case, we suggest trying again from a computer at another location.

To activate your account you will receive an email. If you have not received an email please check your spam/junk mail folder. Please also check that you have provided us with the correct email address.

32. Can I complete my application on a mobile device?

A. The application website is not optimised for mobile or tablet devices

Good luck with your application!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Glasgow 2014XX Commonwealth Games

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