THE USHER CHRONICLES: Behind the Bowtie

They are the unsung heroes of the theatre experience.  They have to know the answers to the important questions – Where is the bathroom?  How do I get to the parking garage?  How long is the show?  How am I supposed to see from this seat?  And they seem to have to know everything else, too – When did this show open in New York?  Who was the original star?  On Broadway, wasn't the set bigger?  Why is it that every time I come here, the understudy is on?  Why are the M & Ms $3.00?  Why isn't parking free?  If you knew the Orioles had a game and the circus was at the Arena, why would you ever schedule a performance at the same time?  Were you old enough to be here when this theatre was in a church basement?  They are often called upon to be theatre critics – How many times have you seen this so far?  How good is Julia Roberts?   Isn't Cats better than Oklahoma? Food critics – Is that place across the street any good?  Is the pizza on

Howard Street

any better than Luigi's in Essex?  Even fashion critics – Did you know that soap star put on that much weight?  Can you believe that woman has on flip flops at the theatre?  So exactly who are these patient, ever smiling (even through gritted teeth) know-it-alls?  Why, they are the ushers.  Without them, getting the show started would be nearly impossible.  I have been fortunate enough to be on both sides of that black bowtie.  When I am involved in the show, it is great to know that they are out there keeping everyone happy and settled before we start.  When I am doing the ushering, it is great to be part of a common effort for a common cause, and for something we all love – live theatre.

Recently, several local theatres were gracious enough to let me distribute questionnaires to their usher staffs to get some feedback on what it is like being an usher, and to look at theatre from a truly unique perspective.  Still others completed an online version of the survey.  And boy, did they respond!  Many people had some really great stories, funny anecdotes, and some really savvy insight.  In the coming weeks, I'll be posting articles on a variety of topics, but this week I hope to provide you a little bit of background about the people who show you to your seat, hand you a program or tear (or scan) your ticket.

 

RESPONDING USHER FUN FACTS:

• The ushers that responded have a combined total of 178 years in ushering experience.
• The responders were 42% male, 58% female.
• They work at 19 different local theatres in the Baltimore/Washington area.  The farthest theatre – Tucson, Arizona, plus a few in Georgia and Pennsylvania.
• 34% usher at more than one theatre. 14% usher at 3 or more.
• 77% usher at the Hippodrome, and 77% of those have been there since the Hippodrome reopened on February 10, 2004, with Mel Brooks' The Producers.
• 5% of the responding ushers worked at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre before moving to the Hippodrome.
• 34% usher at CenterStage, and 58% of those usher there exclusively.
• 28% show their support of local community theatres by ushering at them.
• Longest run as an usher: One person has ushered at CenterStage for 29 years!
• Shortest run as an usher: One person responded after her first day!

Remember this the next time someone asks you, "May I show you to your seat?":  These generous people are (for the most part) volunteering their time to help make your theatre experience a fun and exciting one.  They love live theatre as much as you do – so return their smile, and say, "Thanks!"

 

Next week: THE USHER CHRONICLES: 10 Rules of Theatre Etiquette to Remember

To post a comment, you must register and login.