ushering
the usher program at berkeley rep
(includes link to usher handbook)
season 07/08 volunteer usher information and sign-up
(includes link to series chart)
frequently asked questions from new ushers
can’t find the answers to your questions online?
the usher program at berkeley rep
It costs nothing but time to become a volunteer usher at Berkeley Rep! Ushering is a fun and easy way to get more involved with arts and culture in the Bay Area and to see Tony Award-winning theatre for free!
Berkeley Rep is proud to have a wonderful community of volunteers that works with us regularly each season. Our ushers come from all over the greater Bay Area and are a valued and important part of Berkeley Rep’s staff. In return for their services, ushers are seated just before the curtain rises to enjoy the performance. On rare occasions, a performance is sold out and no seats are available. In those cases, the Roda Theatre has a standing room section to use and Thrust ushers will be asked to watch the first act from the lobby or green room. They may be seated in the Thrust after intermission as available. Every effort is made to maintain a roster of 15 ushers per performance.
All of Berkeley Rep’s ushers are volunteers. They are trained and supervised by a house manager. Familiarity with, and access to, a computer is essential.
All volunteers are required to attend one annual orientation training session.
2007 orientation session dates
Saturday, July 7 / 12:30–2PM / Thrust
Tuesday, July 10 / 6:30–8PM / Roda
Saturday, August 4 / 12:30–2PM / Thrust
Tuesday, August 7 / 6:30–8PM / Roda
Tuesday, September 18 / 6:30–8PM / Thrust
Select ONE and mark your calendars. There are no plans for make-up sessions later in the year. Please download the usher handbook (275K PDF) and register for the Yahoo group before attending orientation. If it is impossible for you to attend an orientation, please contact the house manager.
(You must have Adobe Acrobat to view PDFs. Download a free Adobe Acrobat reader.)
volunteer usher benefits
Complimentary theatre seating when pre-show ushering shift is complete (standing room, lobby or green room in the extreme case of a sold out performance)
20% discount at Berkeley Rep’s Theatre Store
50% staff discount at Berkeley Rep concessions bar
Invitations to special events, parties, orientations and presentations
volunteer ushering positions
Berkeley Rep’s volunteer ushers are the most visible part of the front-of-house staff and are responsible for the welcoming, guidance, safety and comfort of all patrons. You will be personally contributing to Berkeley Rep’s reputation for professionalism and quality by assuring that our patrons feel welcome. A positive attitude is essential and a dress code is enforced (see below).
The house manager will provide a brief orientation before each performance, answer any questions and assign ushering posts for the event. He or she will be available to answer questions throughout the event. Don’t feel that you have to answer every question a patron asks, or solve every problem. Ushers are occasionally asked to stuff programs before the doors open to patrons. Familiarity with seating is essential for most positions. Individual training will be provided as needed. Matinee and evening series are available during the regular theatre season, with varying call times and early curtains on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. A call time is the time that you are expected to arrive at the Theatre to sign in, while curtain time marks the time the performance begins. Promptness is essential.
ticket usher
Greet patrons at the front door, tear tickets and direct patrons to appropriate entry door.
door usher
Greet patrons at the house doors, check tickets, deliver programs and direct patrons to appropriate aisle and seat.
assisted listening devices usher
Greet and orient patrons interested in checking out Assisted Listening Devices (ALDS). Some prior knowledge of—or interest in—accessibility for the hearing-impaired preferred.
theatre store usher
Sell merchandise to patrons. Assist with restocking the shop and keeping displays filled and attractive. Previous retail experience preferred but not required.
season 07/08 volunteer usher information and sign-up
Check out the Season 07/08 usher series chart (will open in new window) and select your top five usher series choices for the season. Priority placement will go to returning season volunteers with at least three years of experience, good usher evaluations and a record of extra assistance such as helping at the annual Narsai Toast Gala.
If your first choice is to stay in the same series, you have ushered for more than three seasons and you have a good record with us (zero no-shows, promptness, proper dress, a good attitude while working) then you will very likely get your usual series assignment. If you request a series change, every effort will be made to satisfy that request. You may be placed on a waiting list, and will be notified if and when the change can be made. In any case, we cannot guarantee that everyone will get a spot as a season usher, but we will try to accommodate as many veteran ushers as we can.
You will be contacted by the volunteer usher coordinator to sign up for Season 07/08. Confirmations should be completed by the end of July, at which time we will open the program to our substitute ushers for series dates that need to be filled.
A Yahoo bulletin board is maintained for your convenience to find qualified substitute ushers should you be unable to fulfill your shift. Important postings will be made on this site, as well as other ushering opportunities which may be of interest to you.
If you are a NEW volunteer, read the information below.
new volunteer ushers
Are you a new volunteer interested in becoming an usher for the 2007/08 Season at Berkeley Rep? Contact the house manager at ushers@berkeleyrep.org (please put “NEW USHER” in the subject line) and if the program is open we will e-mail you the dates for our usher training sessions. All current and aspiring volunteer ushers must attend an usher training session every year before they can be scheduled as an usher. Your questions about Berkeley Rep’s usher program will be answered at that time. The volunteer usher handbook will be posted on Berkeley Rep’s website, with a link posted to the Yahoo group, in advance of the orientation. Please return your signed usher agreement letter at orientation; that’s how we’ll take attendance.
Almost all communication between the house managers, volunteer coordinator and other ushers is handled via e-mail. Access to a computer is essential if you are a newcomer to our program.
Training is held at Berkeley Rep, located at 2025 Addison Street in downtown Berkeley, in either the Roda Theatre or on the Thrust Stage (directions)
frequently asked questions from new ushers
Q: Can I work as an usher before I attend a training session?
A: NO! NEW USHERS WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED TO WORK WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING THIS TRAINING. The training is mandatory for all ushers.
Q: Do you have a dress code?
A: Yes. Read our dress code requirements below.
Q: Is parking provided for ushers?
A: No. Berkeley Repertory Theatre is located in busy downtown Berkeley and while there are parking facilities, metered parking and one-hour zones in the area, there are no special parking areas for our volunteers or staff. You should allow ample time to find parking before you arrive at the Theatre. If you arrive late to the training session, you will not be permitted to participate and will have to attend a later training session. If you arrive late to a scheduled ushering shift, you may not be permitted to work and it will constitute a no-show. Two no-shows bar you from ushering at Berkeley Rep for a season.
Q: I only want to be a substitute usher, not a season usher. Do I still need to attend the training session?
A: Yes. All our ushers must attend one of our training sessions annually before they can work as an usher or be added to the usher list. The training is vital for all our volunteers! All substitute ushers must have access to the Yahoo bulletin board, since season ushers will post their needs that way. Instructions are provided in the new usher handbook.
Q: Can I get my schedule at the training session? Should I bring my datebook and calendar for scheduling?
A: No. You will be notified individually by e-mail regarding your new schedule well in advance of the new season.
Q: Do I need to attend the orientation session in ushering attire?
A: No. Dress comfortably and any way you wish.
Q: What is the usher handbook and what do I do with it?
A: This handbook, which is updated each season, is an essential guide for you. In order to begin your work as an usher, you are required to read it thoroughly and sign a document indicating that you agree to the conditions set forth by the Theatre. When you sign up to be an usher, you are committing to an entire season; very often, details are forgotten after a couple of months. It is desirable to refer to this handbook from time to time to refresh your memory.
Q: After the curtain goes up, is my job for the night done?
A: No. All ushers have jobs before the show, at intermission and after the show is over. If you need to leave early, you must get the house manager’s approval.
dress code
The purpose of having a dress code is to ensure that our usher staff is both professionally and distinctively dressed. It is important to be easily identifiable as representing the Theatre. The dress code is black dress slacks or a black dress skirt, and a white blouse or shirt with sleeves. Please keep accessories such as scarves and large jewelry to a minimum. On cold days, a professional plain black or white jacket or sweater may be worn. Ties are optional, and must be appropriate for work. All ushers are expected to wear plain black dress shoes. No sneakers, flip-flops, sandals or boots allowed! Shoes must cover and protect your toes. Wear shoes that you can stand in for four hours and do a lot of walking up and down the aisles. All clothing must be clean and ironed. Mini-skirts, t-shirts and jeans are not appropriate work attire, even if they are the right color. If you’re not in proper dress, you will not be permitted to usher—and will be noted as a no-show on your record.
Thank you for your interest in assisting Berkeley Repertory Theatre as an usher. We look forward to meeting you!
can’t find the answer to your question online?
E-mail the house manager at ushers@berkeleyrep.org for more information! Thank you!