Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
The Day Off
Swing Joined: 1/2/17
#1Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/18/17 at 5:49pm
Hello!
I just had one quick question about being an usher on Broadway! Some friends are discussing applying for a position after reading a previous thread on here a few weeks ago.
Do you work every show? If not, how does scheduling work?
Thanks!
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#2Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/18/17 at 6:27pm
You would most likely only be a substitute usher upon hire, so you would be able to work whatever number of shows you want, assuming there's a need for subs. If you manage to be assigned to a regular house, you are required to work an average of 6 shows power week over 10-content week rolling period.
asmith0307
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/14
#4Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/18/17 at 8:19pm
The Steinberg Center (Roundabout's off-broadway theatre center) is currently hiring if you want to get started there.
#5Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/19/17 at 9:32am
asmith0307 said: "The Steinberg Center (Roundabout's off-broadway theatre center) is currently hiring if you want to get started there. "
Just to be clear, that will not get you started being an usher on Broadway, will not help you get a Broadway gig and will not move you up from the bottom rung of the ladder if you subsequently get a Broadway gig.
TrChSpHa
Understudy Joined: 7/15/09
#6Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/19/17 at 9:52am
I started as a regular full-time usher at my current Broadway house and eventually had to join the union. Last year, I subbed at another theatre, and only recently I've started subbing at other Shubert houses.
I think it really all depends on 1) your theatre organization (Nederlander, Shubert, ATG, etc.) 2) your head usher, and 3) your availability.
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#8Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/19/17 at 10:47am
Can I be so bold as to ask about salary for a sub? How much per shift is average?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
asmith0307
Broadway Star Joined: 8/5/14
#9Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/19/17 at 12:19pm
HogansHero said: "asmith0307 said: "The Steinberg Center (Roundabout's off-broadway theatre center) is currently hiring if you want to get started there. "
Just to be clear, that will not get you started being an usher on Broadway, will not help you get a Broadway gig and will not move you up from the bottom rung of the ladder if you subsequently get a Broadway gig."
Correct. I just meant in a general "start ushering" way.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#10Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/19/17 at 12:35pm
PThespian said: "The goal is to become a regular and have a steady house. That's really hard to do because people rarely give up their spots unless they die or retire.
That's not everyone's goal. Some people are perfectly happy to be subs.
It's really just a question of being in the right place at the right time (i.e. Subbing for someone who doesn't come back) or having a Chief Usher/House Manager fight for you.
It's entirely up to the chief and house manager. There is a union rule that requires automatic placement as a regular if you sub for the same person for, I think, 12 weeks. Chiefs will alter the schedule to prevent that if they don't want that person as a regular.
If you are a regular you are allowed to take up to two shows a week off. For example I take off a lot of Wed matinees because of my day job and sometimes like to take a night off as well.
If you need more than two shows off in a week you have to take the whole week off. I don't know if that's an union rule or a Shubert rule, though.
It's neither. The contract only requires regular ushers to work an average of 6 performances per week. Ushers that are being required to take off an entire week by the chief or house manager should contact the theater operations manager or union representative.
They do monitor attendance very carefully. Too many absences can get you in trouble just like at any other job.
That's questionable. Ushers at the Majestic for years were only working half of their shifts. It took a new house manager and chief usher to finally correct the problem.
Keep in mind that it's very hard to get hired as an usher even as a sub. They literally get over 1,000 applications for a spot.
I don't know how true that is, but like everything else in the industry, it is all about who you know.
dramamama611 said: "Can I be so bold as to ask about salary for a sub? How much per shift is average?"
Somewhere around $58 per performance based on 4 hours of work, though only when working the late shift will an usher even approach 4 hours (and a lot of shows don't last that long). Report time is 1 hour prior to performance start). If a show runs past 3 hours (curtain down, excludes curtain call), they get overtime. Ticket Takers, chief ushers and floor directors make more.
neonlightsxo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/29/08
#14Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/20/17 at 3:30pm
SweetLips said: "It's a 1 day gig."
It seems abundantly clear that is a mistake.
KathyNYC2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/2/10
#16Quick Question Regarding Being an Usher
Posted: 1/20/17 at 4:55pm
In response to how much does a sub usher make (which was answered above), I'm not sure it was clear that that is what full time ushers make as well. I don't believe the union pay scale differs between sub and regular..the job pays the same rate no matter who does it or how long you have had the job.
