Usher Pay On Broadway- Page 2

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 12:03am

Do ushers work side jobs? 75 per performance only works out to like 31k a year, so I'd assume many would do work during the day.

Is there upward mobility? Do ushers become house managers, company managers, etc?

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 12:21am

Alex Kulak2 said: "Do ushers work side jobs? 75 per performance only works out to like 31k a year, so I'd assume many would do work during the day.

Is there upward mobility? Do ushers become house managers, company managers, etc?"

It amuses me that you think ushering isn't the side job.  However, it is very much a "neighborhood" job that's been in the family for generations, at least half of the ushers in every house have family members ushering in other houses. For many of them it is the only income. Since many if not most of the "family" ushers have lived in Hells Kitchen their entire lives,  rent control, stabilization, and family-owned homes make the income at least somewhat livable.There are a few ushers that do have professional-level day jobs, but they aren't as common (maybe one or two ushers per theater). I would say only the Shubert Organization really fosters the professional career development of its house staff by allowing some limited flexibility. They also offer apprenticeships,  which have resulted in the promotions of ushers to house managers. 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 12:37am

Fosse76 said: "Alex Kulak2 said: "Do ushers work side jobs? 75 per performance only works out to like 31k a year, so I'd assume many would do work during the day.

Is there upward mobility? Do ushers become house managers, company managers, etc?"

It amuses me that you think ushering isn't the side job. However, it is very much a "neighborhood" job that's been in the family for generations,at least half of the ushers in every house have family members ushering in other houses. For many of them it is the only income. Since many if not most of the "family" ushers have lived in Hells Kitchen their entire lives, rent control, stabilization, and family-owned homes make the income at least somewhat livable.There are a few ushers that do have professional-level day jobs, but they aren't as common (maybe one or two ushers per theater). I would say only the Shubert Organization really fosters the professional career development of its house staff by allowing some limited flexibility. They also offer apprenticeships, which have resulted in the promotions of ushers to house managers."

I would say that you're right, it is a family job. I know, for example, Nederlander has been trying to curb that by "hiring off the street" as it were. I know this as fact because that's exactly how I got started. For many years, ushering used to be a job that you got because of who you knew rather than simply applying. Also, the other two big companies (Shubert and Jujamcyn  in addition to Nederlander) are trying to alter this as well. 

Furthermore, there are far more ushers that have day jobs than you might think. And, just like in any other job, the higher up the food chain you are the bigger your check is. That said, I know of a few chief/supervisor ushers who, in addition to making more than regular ushers still have a day job. As a sub, I've learned that no matter the theatre or the company that owns it, they love subs who are able to work Wednesday afternoons because a lot of subs call out/can't make it due to the various day jobs that folks have. 

 

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 12:43am

Indeed. And that $31K amount (actually $31,200 @ $75 per) is for 8 shows, 52 weeks/year. And is before taxes, union dues, etc. So, I'd assume while the top amount is available to permanent ushers in houses with long-running shows and others who hustle and have built-up connections - It is certainly not guaranteed. (Also, no doubt there are small supplements for some positions and occasional extra duties to raise the rate somewhat for some workers on some shifts)

Updated On: 5/7/19 at 12:43 AM

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 1:06am

I know that Disney hires externally for ushers at the new Amsterdam. Are they different compared to other houses?

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 3:52am

Sundays and Holidays would probably be time and a half so one could figure that into a yearly salary.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 6:24am

SmoothLover said: "Sundays and Holidays would probably be time and a half so one could figure that into a yearly salary."

I would assume there is a holiday pay bonus for certain holidays but that Sunday would not be extra compensation. Overtime would likely be for time beyond schedule for a performance if it runs over or if there are additional duties, but aside from that, work would be unlikely to exceed 40 hours following most weekly schedules.

I'm sure that Islander_fan or someone else directly acquainted will jump in to correct me if my assumption is off base (or at least I hope so).

Updated On: 5/7/19 at 06:24 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 10:25am

This is really interesting. That means for shows like Ferryman and King Lear, all the ushers get paid for overtime... so probably $100 per performance?

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 10:40am

"This is all I can think of now, but happy to answer any questions one might have. "

Thanks for answering my questions and I have a couple more. Do you need previous experience (exp. regional theater) to get job? I am sure it helps but wondering if it is mandatory. Do they have any training or do you work with somebody a couple of times?

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 12:59pm

I think if is probably like anything else. You get your foot in the door either by networking or getting a referral through someone who ushers. It is a profession that does not seem to discriminate especially with age.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/7/19 at 1:40pm

yankeefan7 said: "Thanks for answering my questions and I have a couple more. Do you need previous experience (exp. regional theater) to get job? I am sure it helps but wondering if it is mandatory.

Ushering isn't a skilled labor job, so like McDonald's or Six Flags, no experience is necessary. But despite the theaters' attempts at trying to limit the number of familial hires, it's still very much a "who you know" job. 

"Do they have any training or do you work with somebody a couple of times?"

Technically there is supposed to be, which is simply shadowing an usher for a show or two. It's the most unnecessary waste of time, since ushering isn't really hard (the hard part is dealing with the often rude patrons).

[magictodo123]

Posted: 5/8/19 at 5:49am

Wick3 said: "Thx for sharing islanderfan. I always hear ushers get jobs through family/friends/referrals. Do you feel that’s true from your experience?"

 

k was an usher too and actually got hired through a posting I saw on playbill.com. 

 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 5/8/19 at 5:50am

magictodo123 said: "Wick3 said: "Thx for sharing islanderfan. I always hear ushers get jobs through family/friends/referrals. Do you feel that’s true from your experience?"



I’ve been an usher on and off  Broadway and actually got hired through a posting I saw on playbill.com.

"

 

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/8/19 at 10:43pm

Someone said that the union rep recently had negotiations for the ushers with some of the theatres and the ushers got a huge increase in pay where other theatres refused to oblige. 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/9/19 at 1:44pm

SmoothLover said: "Someone said that the union rep recently had negotiations for the ushers with some of the theatres and the ushers got a huge increase in pay where other theatres refused to oblige."

Theaters owned by members of the Broadway League are all under the same contract, which just approved a contract that increases pay to $73.45/performance (it goes up to $76.02/performance in September). I believe The New Amsterdam and the ATG Theaters I believe have separate agreements, but can't imagine the pay to be substantially different. If any usher believes he/she is not receiving the appropriate compensation, he or she should first discuss it with their chief usher/manager and union representative.