House Manager

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Position Title:

House Manager

Job Category:

Student Hourly

Job Profile:

Student Help

Job Summary:

Theatre & Dance 226-426 House Manager Practicum Syllabus

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Outcomes:

· Demonstrate courteous and professional behavior in a performing arts environment.

· Practice the conventions and etiquette required of a Front of a House Manager.

House Manager Practicum Requirements:

The student registered for House Manager practicum must:

· See that patrons experience a safe, professional event.

· Contact the stage manager to arrange attendance at the final rehearsal of the production in order to understand the flow and pacing of the show and any special requirements or polices specific to the performance.

· Meet with the director and stage manager prior to each performance to verify standard policies (opening house, intermission, late seating) and any additional requirements for the specific production.

· Supervise ushers, ticket takers and coat check personnel.

· Sign in all ushers, ticket takers, and coat check practicum students for each performance.

· Return sign-in sheet to Theatre and Dance main office at the end of each week.

· Sign out flashlights and name tags to ushers; check-in flashlights and nametags at end of night.

· Arrive at the theater one hour and fifteen minutes prior to curtain to begin set-up.

· Prepare the front of the house for performances—doors open, lights on, theatre, lobby and entrances clean, coat check area organized, etc.

· Prepare hearing assist headsets for patrons that request them. Head-sets and chargers are located in the Coat Check for Jenkins performances and the sound booth for the Studio Theatre performances.

· Communicate with the UWSP Box Office Staff to determine when it is safe to close the house.

· Communicate with the stage manager that the house is closed.

· Open Coat Check 30 minutes prior to curtain. Coat Check should open at 5pm for opening night performances.

· Send personnel to their assigned area 35-40 minutes prior to curtain; remind personnel that the house opens 30 minutes prior to curtain.

· Stay through the end of each performance to close the space. This includes turning off lights, cleaning theatre, lobby, and coat check, emptying wastebaskets, and locking all spaces.

· Assigned ushers will assist with these tasks.

Additional Information:

House Managers will receive the usher practicum list with contact information via email from Lisa Baxter in the Theatre and Dance main office two weeks prior to opening.

· Contact all usher practicum students by email at least 4 days prior to the performance to inform them of their duties.

· In the email remind them of important policies—arrival time, check in location, dress code (see PR/Usher Practicum syllabus).

· Opening Night/First Nighters Dinner:

· House Managers should arrive at 5pm to open the coat check room and transport a coat rack to the courtyard for easy access for patrons.

· Jenkins Theatre performance : After the First Nighters dinner patrons have moved to the theatre, assign an usher to transport the coat rack to the east side of Jenkins Theatre near the goblet collection.

· Note: The goblet cases are alarmed. If they bumped the alarm will go of. If the alarm should be triggered, call campus police (715-346-3456) immediately and someone will come turn it off.

· Studio Theatre performances : After the First Nighters dinner patrons have moved to the theatre, assign an usher to transport the coat rack closer to the Studio Theatre. Station an usher in the corridor to be sure the coats are secured.

· For Studio Theatre productions, encourage ushers that hope to see the show to purchase a ticket in advance from the ticket office.

· Remind ushers that even though they are watching the show they are still on duty and should assist patrons when needed. Refer to the guidelines outlined in the PR/Usher Practicum syllabus.

Walkie-Talkies:

Walkie-talkies are located in the coat check room. With the walkie-talkies, the house managers and stage managers now have the ability to communicate with each other. A third walkie-talkie is available and can be given to the box office staff or to an ASM, whichever works best for the production. It is recommended that for all Jenkins Theatre productions the third walkie-talkie be given to the box office staff for easier communication. Be sure to collect all walkie-talkies and return them to the coat check.

Weather:

House Managers should check the local weather before arriving at the theatre. If warnings or watches are for Portage County please share this information with the productions stage manager, director, and your house staff. Please confer with the director and stage manager (who should be trained in evacuation protocol) in case severe weather or power outages call for the evacuation of the theatre.

· Please Note : The Studio Theatre is a designated shelter area in the NFAC. The audience should remain in their places. If evacuation of Jenkins Theatre is called for please announce to the audience that you will be clearing the theatre (give reason) and that ushers will show them to appropriate shelter areas downstairs.

See attached UWSP Emergency Plan Map.

If there is an emergency that requires an Emergency Announcement (see attachment), the House Manager should contact the Director and Stage Manager. The Stage Manager typically is responsible for this announcement, but they should do so after consulting the HM and Director.

Dress Code and Behavior:

Ushers and Ticket Takers are the front-line representatives of the Department of Theatre & Dance and the University. The Department of Theatre & Dance considers the safety and satisfaction of our patrons to be very important. As such, ushers are expected to hold themselves to the highest standard of conduct and courtesy when interacting with each other and patrons. The following list of items establishes the expectations for all of our usher staff.

General expectations:

· Attend to patron needs in a friendly and welcoming manner.

· Act upon patron comments/complaints in a prompt and professional manner.

· Monitor patron activities to prevent safety problems.

· Answer patron questions regarding performance details and building amenities.

Dress Code:

· Dress professionally and tastefully. Denim is not allowed.

· Suggested apparel, dark slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. Sweater, tie, or sport coat are optional. Or a dark dress with straps or sleeves or skirt/slacks with a blouse or sweater, and dress shoes.

· Dresses and skirts should be of a modest and appropriate length.

· No exposure of cleavage, bare shoulders, or midriff is allowed. No camisoles or low cut or backless dresses or tops are allowed.

Customer Service

A good usher should always be…

· Welcoming Smiling, professional, and welcoming behavior.

· Proactive Anticipating needs.

· Optimistic Reflecting a positive attitude and a willingness to help.

· Enthusiastic Responding immediately and searching for solutions.

· Patient Keeping your composure.

· Inappropriate conversation about parties, other students, patrons, the show, etc. are absolutely prohibited.

· No gum or lozenges.

· Cell phones must be powered off and out of sight.

· Absolutely NO TEXTING OR PHONE CALLS while on duty .

Grading

· A grade of “A” will be given for positive attitude, willingness, and fulfillment of all above expectations.

· A grade of less than an “A” can be earned because of poor attitude, distracting from the work required, or a violation of the attendance policy.

· A grade of “F” will also be given for anyone who does not perform all the required tasks of the PR practicum.