Help us make sure the show goes on as an Usher!
Skills & Responsibilities:
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and in a courteous manner.
- Ability to deal effectively with co-workers, volunteers, and the general public.
- Ability to deal effectively and successfully with stressful and sometimes difficult situations.
- Attention to procedural techniques, facility policies and regulations, and physical layout.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to climb ramps and stairs.
- Ability to read theatre tickets.
- Must be age 18 or older.
- Dependable
DUTIES:
- To provide ushering services
- To be on time for performances. Ushers need to check-in and be ready to work before briefing time.
- To represent the Frauenthal to the public in a professional and friendly manner at all times. The ushers play a key public role and their task is to serve and to make the patron feel welcome and at ease.
- To adhere to the dress code while ushering. The dress code was established to create a professional appearing volunteer core that may be easily identified while working. All volunteers’ attire should be clean.
Ushers:
Always ask if you may be of assistance in seating patrons. Do not be offended if some patrons prefer to seat themselves as many have the same seats for reserved performances. Offer every adult a program as he/she is seated, unless otherwise instructed. On occasion, special announcements may need to be inserted into programs. Please help to do so when asked.
The most frequent problem faced when ushering is that of a person sitting in the wrong seat because of a misread ticket(s). If you encounter two people with the same seat location and the show has yet to start, first ask to see both sets of ticket stubs and check to see if the following information is correct: Level (main floor, upper balcony or lower balcony), section (right, center or left), Row (letter) and seat number. Also check event title, date and the time. If this information is identical on both ticket stubs, report this immediately to the Head Usher (main or balcony), Podium Host, or House Manager. If the show has already begun, seat the patrons in the next available seating location and inform patrons that you will return to assist during intermission. Any problems with patrons are to be directed to the Main Head Usher or Balcony Head Usher.
At least one Usher is to remain at each station at least 15 minutes after the start of each performance to seat late comers or to delay seating if the producer of an event requests seating only at appropriate breaks during the performance. Politely hold patrons outside the auditorium until the appropriate break. The House Manager will notify ushers of events having a seating policy.
Ushers should close doors and curtains when programs begin. Continue to monitor the doors and curtains for patrons who leave during a performance. It is important to be seated near your station (if possible) so that you can easily monitor the doors and curtains. Doors and curtains should not be reopened until house lights come up before intermission and the conclusion of the program.
One main floor usher assigned to Aisle 2, 3, or 4 is asked to station him/herself at the exit doors along Third Street and the alley to prevent patrons from using those exits during intermission. Kindly ask people desiring to leave the theater to do so through the main lobby. Ushers on Aisle 4 should monitor the lower left curtain periodically to see that it remains closed.
When seating patrons remember the numbering system of the seats in the left and center sections of the main floor are numbered from right to left (facing the stage) starting with seat number 1. Seats on main floor are numbered on the “front edge” of the seat.
Seats in the left and center sections of the balcony are numbered from right to left (facing the stage) staring with seat number 1. The seat numbers for these row sections are on the “right armrest”. Seats in the right sections of the balcony are numbered from left to right (facing the stage) beginning with seat number 1. Seat numbers in this section are on the “left arm rest”.
Ushers must bring a small flashlight to each event to assist patrons in navigating aisles and stairs. As a courtesy to patrons, flashlights are not to be used to read programs during a performance.
