VOLUNTEERS DRIVE THEATER

If it’s a weekend performance at Little Lake Theatre, 13-year-old Lindy Spear is likely ushering, performing or even serving desserts at intermission. She is in the North Strabane theater’s high school apprentice program, but has also been a volunteer there since she was 9.

“All the people at Little Lake are second family to me. It’s 8-year-olds to 80year-olds. I’ve become close to them,’’ she said.

Although “money makes the world go around” — as actors on the Comtra stage in Butler County sang this month in their version of the classic “Cabaret” — it’s volunteers that make the theater go around.

Little Lake is mounting 16 shows in this — its 69th season. Each runs three weeks for 154 performances, managing director Andrew Seay said.

“Volunteers are critical to our success. Last year they gave 15,000 hours,’’ he said.

At a time when many organizations are scrambling for free help, “we’ve actually seen an increase in actor auditions, and if anything our volunteering in general is up,” Mr. Seay said.

Lindy’s mom, Jill Spear, is assistant to the troupe’s volunteer coordinator. The mother-daughter duo have volunteered for four years and said it’s because of the theater’s summer camp program, which Lindy attended when she was 8.

They credit the camp with helping Lindy get over her shyness and gain confidence.

“Any organization that can transform my daughter like this one did is one I want to support,” Ms. Spear said. She will watch her daughter perform this summer in “School House Rock” and “The Crucible.”

Administrators at community theaters, which mostly mount shows during the summer, or the “straw hat’’ season, emphasize that there is a role for everyone, whether it’s making sets or costumes, hoisting the curtain as a member of the backstage crew, or coordinating fundraisers.