Ushers

Job Description

The ushering committee is responsible for providing users for all Stage Coach Players produtions

Job Duties of Users

Ask the Ticket Booth Worker for the key to the cabinets in the refreshment stand, then return the key to the Ticket Booth Worker after opening the cabinets. The Stage Manager also has a key to the cabinets and either they or the Board-Member-on-Duty (BMOD) will be responsible for locking them each night after the show.

7:00-7:30 P.M./1:00-1:30 P.M.

• Check the seating chart so you will know where to direct people.
• Put on a nametag.
• Check the auditorium for garbage, and vacuum the carpet under the seats, if needed.
• Put the ashcan outside the front door. ***No smoking is allowed anywhere upstairs***
• Get out the programs (they will either be in the refreshment stand/ticket booth or in the Green Room downstairs). You may have to stuff or sort them.
• Refill paper towels and toilet paper in both bathrooms.
• Check with the Board Member on Duty (BMOD ), Stage Manager or Director to determine what scene in the show is approximately 2 minutes before intermission(s). This is when you will start getting ready for intermission(s).
• Set garbage cans out. Leave cans out until the show is over for snack wrappers, etc.
• Prepare the refreshments:
  •  *** Make only 1/2 pot of regular and 1/2 pot of decaf coffee. Use 1 c. of coffee (use an 8 oz. styrofoam cup to measure) for 20 cups of coffee***.
  • Check the other refreshment items you will be selling and set a sample of each of the drink items on the back counter for patrons to see easily.
  •  You should have $50 in the cash drawer. Keep the cash drawer on the back concession counter or under the front counter .
  •  One (I) usher or BMOD could sell refreshment items before the show.
  •  ***Refreshments may not be brought into the theater seating area*** .
  •  Have ready: napkins, stirrers, sugar and creamer for the coffee.

7:30 P.M./1:30 P.M.

• Begin to let the audience in. Always check with the Stage Manager first to make sure the curtain is closed and/or the stage is clear and they are ready for the audience.
• Usher Positions:
  • ***NEW ADDITION we now have an automatic chair lift for patrons to use!*** One (1) usher or BMOD needs to be downstairs by the front door to direct patrons upstairs, to help patrons needing assistance with the chair lift and to enforce the "No Smoking" rule.
  • 2 ushers or BMODs upstairs at the back of the theater by the stairs to take tickets, hand
    out a program to each person and direct them to their seats.
  • 1 usher or BMOD down by the front of the theater (near first row of seats) to take
    tickets and direct people to their seats.
  • 1 usher or BMOD to sell concessions.
    
• Escort anyone needing assistance to their seat. BMOD's will help with this.
• PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE TICKET STUBS. Give patron the top of the ticket and keep the bottom. These are used for ticket counts. When the show begins, give the ticket stubs to the Box Office Worker.
• If a person has any piece of paper other than an actual ticket, or there is any question about a ticket, send them to the Box Office for clarification.
• Pull string to turn refreshment sign off during the show.
  

8:00 P.M./2:00 P.M.

• BMOD or show Director welcomes patrons and announces the refreshment stand policy of no food or drink in the theater seating area.
• After the show begins, keep voices down and noise to a minimum. Ushers may sit in the back row of seats or on the risers to see the show.
• Latecomers are to be seated in the back row of seats or somewhere where it will cause the least distraction to the actors and other members of the audience. During intermission, they can go to their assigned seat.
•  Ushers need to watch the time and exit about 2 minutes prior to intermission(s).

During Intermission(s)

• DO NOT TURN ON THE CONCESSION STAND SIGN BEFORE THE HOUSE LIGHTS GO ON
  IN THE THEATER FOR INTERMISSION(S).
•  Refills of coffee are free.
• It may be easier for one person to take money and make change while another fills the order. Place the cash box on the back counter or make sure someone is watching it all of the time .
• Serve patrons until house lights dim to signal intermission is over.
• ***Remind patrons that no food or drink is allowed in the theater seating area***.
  

After Intermission

• Turn off concession stand sign light .
• Put unsold pop and water back in the refrigerator .
• Put the money drawer in the cabinet and count money after the show.
• ***IF THERE IS A SECOND INTERMISSION, JUST LEAVE THE COFFEE AND DRINK ITEMS OUT. DO NOT MAKE MORE COFFEE.
  
  

Job Duties of BMOD

PURPOSE: A Board Member On Duty (BMOD) serves as the official liaison between the patrons and the organization. You are essentially here to make sure any difficulties are taken care of, any questions are answered and that the theater-going experience is a positive and enjoyable one for all involved. If there is a dispute of any kind, you are the mediator and public relations representative for our group.

Your specific duties are as follows:

BEFORE THE SHOW:

• Arrive at 7 pm (for an 8:00 show) or 1:00 pm (for a 2:00 matinee).
• Put on a nametag so patrons know you are the Board Member On Duty and a representative of Stage Coach.
• Make sure the ushers have opened the concession stand cabinets. The key is kept by the Box Office people and is to be returned to them immediately after all cabinets are opened. The Stage Manager or the BMOD will be responsible for locking the cabinets each night immediately after the show. BMOD's need to get the key from the Stage Manager to lock up, as the ticket people will have left.
• Check to see that the ushers have read their instructions that are posted on the bulletin board.
• After the show, the concession money will be kept in the cash box and put in the cabinet closest to the ticket booth. See below for more information about the cash box.
• ***No smoking is allowed anywhere upstairs Patrons will need to extinguish all smoking materials before entering the front door***.
• Usher and/or BMOD Stations:
  
  • ***NEW ADDITION we now have an automatic chair lift for patrons to use!*** One (1) usher or BMOD needs to be downstairs by the front door to direct patrons upstairs, to help patrons needing assistance with the chair lift and to enforce the "No Smoking" rule.
  • 2 ushers or BMODs upstairs at the back of the theater by the stairs to take tickets, hand
    out a program to each person and direct them to their seats.
  • 1 usher or BMOD down by the front of the theater (near first row of seats) to take
    tickets and direct people to their seats.
  • 1 usher or BMOD to sell concessions.
    
• Check the seating chart so you will know where to direct people to their seats .
• Help the ushers direct patron traffic, seat people and assure that things run smoothly.
• When the performance begins, sit in the back row of seats so you can be available and easily reached, if needed. Inform the ushers where you will be.
• Find out from the Stage Manager approximately when Intermission will be and tell the ushers, so they, and you, can leave 2 minutes before then to have the refreshments ready.
•  Find out from the Stage Manager whether you are to cue them to start the show (after patrons are all seated) or whether they will be going up exactly at 8:00.
•  Either you or the show Director will make a "Welcoming Speech" thanking patrons for coming, explaining the policy of no food or drink in the seating area, telling them we are now recycling programs if they don't wish to keep theirs and hoping they will enjoy the show.
• Watch for latecomers Seat latecomers in the back rows. Explain to them that they cannot proceed to their regular seats until the Intermission. A flashlight is hanging on the wall next to the risers in the back of the auditorium.
• Fire Regulations The aisles of the theater must be kept clear, so no wheelchairs or strollers can be left there. ***No smoking will be allowed upstairs in the theater area*** .We are required to have a "Fire Watch" person making rounds of the building every hour. This could be a BMOD or another designated person. Make sure this person is present and knows what to do. There will be a 3-ring notebook downstairs in the kitchen for the Fire Guard to log in on each hour .

DURING THE SHOW /INTERMISSION :

• The phone in the ticket booth will be turned off during the performance. The Fire Watch person will answer the phone downstairs in the kitchen, if it rings.  Should there be an emergency call for one of the patrons or a cast member, notify them at the first opportunity.
• Help the Ushers with concession sales during the Intermission. ***Food and drink are not allowed in the house during the performances*** .
  

AFTER THE SHOW:

• Help the ushers clean up the house by checking for garbage, programs and personal belongings left behind.
• ***NEW! We are now recycling programs, so collect programs from patrons who do not want to keep theirs***.
• Ushers or BMOD's will count money. Place $50 in change and bills for the next night in the cash box and the profits go in an envelope. The cash box goes in the cabinet closest to the ticket booth. Either the BMOD or the Stage Manager will lock the concession cabinets immediately after each show. Make sure these cabinets are locked before you leave. The Stage Manager has the key, as the ticket people will be gone.
• Thank the Ushers for their work.
• Thank patrons for coming and, if they enjoyed the show, to tell their friends.
• IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT ON YOUR ASSIGNED NIGHT, PLEASE FIND A REPLACEMENT.
  

Revised July 2002 by Sue McCue