ushering/front of the house jobs

[Katecab99]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 11:17am

Does anyone know how exactly you go about getting one? The only real information that I have is that they are represented by local 306 division of the IASTE. When I tried to look up their individual website, it's unavailable. I see so many young people in the theaters doing those jobs and am very interested in how they got there. If anyone has any info, I'd appriciate it - thanks!

Posted: 1/11/05 at 12:35pm

If you're in NYC you might want to inquire at Jazz at Lincoln Center for any open Usher/Front of House positions at F. P. Rose Hall.
Jazz at Lincoln Center

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 2:19pm

You have to apply through the theatre organization that owns the theatres - Jujamcyn, Shuberts, Nederlanders, Disney. It's not easy to get the job. The union part isn't an issue--if you get hired, you join the union at any time, and you have a trial period that you can use before joining.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 1/11/05 at 2:23pm

I made friends with an engineer who knew someone at Jujamcyn and recommended me for the job. But jrb is right: you have to apply through the organizations. After 30 performances, you have to join the union.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 7:01pm

I ushered a couple times on the weekends when the Signature Theatre was doing "The Baltimore Waltz". They did an interview at the theatre before the show started. It's a great way to see a show for free.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 9:30pm

Wait- for ushering or working at a theatre you get to join the union (I assume this means equity???) Can someone explain?!?!

[UsherMJD]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 9:37pm

You get to join the Usher's union. . . not the Actors union. (AEA)

I usher at some regional theaters in RI, and its a voulenteer position. But any experience you get like that will probably help your chances of getting hired on Broadway Updated On: 1/22/05 at 09:37 PM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 9:51pm

Unions are essential to allowing those in the arts, crafts and trades to have decent working conditions and fair wages. Before you support a large scale production - check to see if is a union production.

[capnkidd]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 9:52pm

To clarify the union-IATSE-International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 10:15pm

Lol. Ok that makes a WHOLE lot more sense.

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 10:17pm

I was told actually last night that to join the ushers union on bway, it is $300 to work at a bway shubert house.

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 11:13pm

Ushers have thier own union?? Huh...it seems so obvious now, but I never thought about it before....sorry...kinda random but I guess you learn something new everyday..

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 1/22/05 at 11:22pm

It isn't exactly their OWN union-it's part of a much larger one(international,in fact),including stagehands,make-up,wigs,etc.Most of the older ushers(not many left)were from Westie families.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 1:45am

It's about $300 to join the union and then you have your dues.

Off-Broadway and the non-profits on Broadway (Roundabout) have volunteer ushering.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 1/23/05 at 12:11pm

You get paid if you are working in a professional house. If you are working a non profit production-as I did-you get the pleasure of seeing an excellent show!

[Katecab99]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:25pm

Bump

[Katecab99]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:27pm

So...I just called Nederlander productions, figuring since they own so may of the major broadway theatres, I would be able to ask about applying for ushering jobs. The woman on the phone said you have to be part of the union first, but that she couldn't help me with information on getting into the union itself. Anybody know where I go from here?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 1:32pm

Getting to be an Usher is not an easy task - especially on Broadway. I used to be good friends with the president when I worked with the Shuberts, but I don't have her contact info anymore. Go directly to the union - look the address up in the phone book, or next time you're at a show, ask them where the office is. Surely it's somewhere in the midtown area. But remember - it's really really hard to get into Ushering. Most of those old women have been doing it for years and get very cutthroat about it and don't like newcomers - they're VERY strange that way. If you do decide to go find the office, be warned that you will have to work all 8 performances, unless that make you a sub or floater in the beginning. That's why I had to stop working with the Shuberts - the all 8 performances + full time school wasn't working. Also, beginng ushers get paid about $40 per performance, plus a few extra dollars in cash if you have inserts.

[mirramar]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 2:16pm

http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/

sometimes they list front of house jobs.