Volunteer Ushering

[Broadway212]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 5:37pm

I was just wondering if anyone has ever did volunteer ushering. How was it?

[Mamie]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:30pm

I was a regular volunteer usher at a couple of theatres here in DC for several years after I retired. I also used to volunteer usher at a few off-Broadway houses when visiting New York. Sadly none of those theatres are still around. If you can find them, it's a fabulous way of seeing the shows without buying a ticket. The only time I had to stand was when the house was completely sold out. Every other time they found a seat for the ushers to use.

[jenna2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 8:43pm

I volunteer at a couple of local theatres and, like Mamie said, it's a fantastic way to see free shows. Really, it's very little work -- smile, take tickets, be pleasant -- that "pays" quite well when you consider the cost of a ticket.

[Broadway212]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 9:38pm

Thanks for the information It sounds like a really cool idea I heard about it but never really knew what it was about.

[jenna2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 10:13pm

I definitely recommend it. I don't know how it is where you live, but the theatres around here are always hurting for volunteers, so it really is a win-win for everyone.

[Broadway212]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 10:35pm

Do they ever turn into real jobs if they like and think that the person is doing a good job?

[jenna2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:20pm

It's a great opportunity to network and get your name out there, that's for sure. If you go above-and-beyond, take lots of shifts, anything's possible (It's all about who you know, right?).

I wound up with a summer job at one of the theatres I volunteer at, but that was based more on my education than just being an awesome volunteer. (but I was, and, of course, still am an awesome volunteer. )

[Broadway212]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:22pm

thats cool can you put it on your resume if you work there enough times im thinking you can but im not to sure.

[jenna2]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:45pm

Oh, for sure. While extended volunteer time tends to look better, you can include one-off volunteer shifts too, if you want.

[Broadway212]

Posted: 1/2/09 at 11:53pm

Thats great to know thanks a lot I am definitely going to look into volunteer ushering it seems like a fun thing to do.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/3/09 at 12:20pm

I volunteer usher at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. If I didn't volunteer, I would have never seen a lot of really good shows that I had no interest in prior to seeing them. It really is an easy job, and I have never had a problem getting a good seat.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 1/6/09 at 10:48pm

I usher at most theatres in DC that use volunteers.

[gypsiedtokill]

Posted: 1/7/09 at 2:46pm

I'm volunteer ushering for Hedda Gabler at Roundabout next month...you can sign up to usher for any of their shows. It's pretty sweet :)

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 1/20/09 at 8:09am

Does anyone know of any theaters in New York City that would let minors volunteer? By minors I mean 14 year olds. I know there probably isn't many but I would like to volunteer this coming summer. I will pretty much take any job I can have in a theater.

[nyc44]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 6:52pm

bumping because I'm also interested in the answer to Drunk Chita Rivera's question.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 6:58pm

When I was managing an off broadway theater, I did use volunteer ushers but the minimum age was 16.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 7:04pm

Drunk Chita, I really don't know, but my friend was an usher at the Kennedy Center in DC last year, and he was fifteen. I was extremely jealous-- especially since Lion King was there on tour at the time.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 7:07pm

I think they were inquiring about NYC.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 7:26pm

I know, I was just saying that if one theatre hires kids under sixteen despite a usual rule otherwise, others might as well. But yeah, I know I make my share of pointless posts.

[Jane2]

Posted: 1/27/09 at 7:39pm

I thought I"d pass on this experience I had with the younger volunteer ushers.

I once had a couple of young girls show up for ushering over an hour early. They had claimed to be 16, and I never asked for any proof. I told them that they could either come inside the theater and hang out there or come back later for their shift. They opted for coming back later.

Well, they came back too late for their shift, and I told them I couldn't use them, as walk-in was over. They begged me to let them stay until the show was over because they 1. lied about their ages, and 2. were hanging out all over town and 3. They were being picked up after the show by their parents, and would be in trouble if they weren't at the theater.

Another time, I had a few young ushers who were star struck and that was their only reason to be at the theater. They were running up and down the aisles to each other to scream about seeing someone famous and tried to get autographs while ushering.

I know-not all teenagers are like that, but after a few similar incidents, I stuck to using the adults.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 3:04pm

The Kennedy Center does not use volunteer ushers.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/3/09 at 3:27pm

Thanks for posting that, KC. I knew that the Kennedy Center used paid ushers but I thought they might have changed.

[Drunk Chita Rivera]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:38pm

At the time I will be 14, I will be with my 16 year old friend. We were gonna do some Off Broadway Theaters. Last year my friend was gonna usher at Second Stage Theater but for some reason she didn't do it but they did except younger kids.

Also do they always have you usher or would you ever have a different job?

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:45pm

At some theatres you can be asked to work at a refreshment stand (selling snacks, drinks) or issue hearing devices, check coats, or check tickets. Others only want you to usher.

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/5/09 at 9:51pm

Second Stage only has the volunteers do ushering. The other positions are paid staff.