Volunteer Usher Information

Ushers are a vital part of ensuring that students attending OJP shows are safe, enjoy the show and know what to do before, during, and after the show. There are “Head Ushers” and “Parent/School Ushers” for each performance. “Head Ushers” are assigned by the OJP Usher Coordinator while the “Parent/School Ushers” are recruited by the “School Representatives” at their school. The “School Representative” should provide their “Parent/School Ushers” with a copy of the Usher Informational Flier. A PDF of this document is available for download below. Other important information is listed here.

USHER INFORMATION INFORMATIONAL FLIERDownload

HEAD USHERS

  • Head Ushers are asked to arrive 50 minutes prior to the start of the performances. They will check in at the check-in table to receive their name tag, seating chart, level assignment, and flow plan.
  • Head Ushers can be identified with name tags that have a blue and yellow ribbon attached to them.
  • The Head Ushers will help ensure that the School Representatives are familiar with the theater seating, flow plan, and jobs that need to be assigned to the Parent/School Ushers.
  • They will wait in the seating areas to be present when the bus leaders enter and that students are being seated according to the flow plan.

Parent/school ushers

  • The School Representative for each school is responsible for recruiting, assigning, and assisting those who volunteer for this position.
  • Plan to arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the performance you are ushering for. You’ll check in at the sign-in table and find your School Representative. They will have the master seating chart that shows where your school will be seated.
  • An informational handout (view and download above), along with any other helpful information, is provided to ushers by the School Representative. Either prior to the day of the show or right before your students arrive on the bus, your School Representative will assign each parent volunteer to a specific duty.
  • If you are unable to attend on the day that you have volunteered for, please let your School Representative know as soon as possible.
  • If you are able to attend a performance prior to the one you will be ushering for, this may help you become more familiar with the theater, the production, and the responsibilities of being a volunteer usher.
  • All ushers are required to participate in a short training provided by the OJP Usher Supervisor right before the performance starts.
  • The job assignments for ushers may include helping students off the bus and into the lobby, monitoring a specific entry to the lobby or theater, guiding students through the lobby, up the stairs (if necessary), into the theater.
  • If a student needs to use the restroom we ask that an usher walk the student out of the theater, to the bathroom, then wait for them and walk them back to their seating area.
  • When the show is over, your school will wait for an announcement from the stage to be dismissed. The same job assignments will be needed as students leave their seats, walk through the lobby, and board the bus.
  • Prior to leaving the area their students were seated, a few ushers should look around for any items that may have been left behind.

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