The job description of a live-theatre front-of-house manager typically involves overseeing all aspects of the audience experience before, during, and after performances. This role is crucial for ensuring that patrons have a positive and enjoyable experience at the theater. Here's a breakdown of the responsibilities:
- Managing Front-of-House Operations: This includes overseeing ticket sales, managing the box office staff, coordinating ushers, and ensuring that all front-of-house areas are properly staffed and prepared for each performance.
- Customer Service: Front-of-house managers are responsible for ensuring excellent customer service for all patrons. This may involve addressing customer inquiries or concerns, resolving any conflicts or issues that arise, and ensuring that patrons feel welcome and valued.
- Managing Seating: Front-of-house managers coordinate the seating arrangements for patrons, ensuring that tickets are accurately assigned and that patrons are seated promptly and efficiently.
- Supervising Ushers and Volunteers: Front-of-house managers often oversee a team of ushers and volunteers who assist with seating patrons, distributing programs, and providing information about the theater and its productions.
- Ensuring Safety and Security: Front-of-house managers are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of patrons, staff, and the theater's facilities. This may include implementing emergency procedures, monitoring crowd control, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Managing Concessions and Merchandise Sales: If the theater offers concessions or merchandise sales, the front-of-house manager may be responsible for overseeing these operations, including inventory management, pricing, and ensuring that all transactions are handled accurately.
- Collaborating with Other Departments: Front-of-house managers often collaborate closely with other departments within the theater, including production, marketing, and facilities management, to ensure smooth operations and coordination of activities.
- Administrative Duties: This may include preparing cash float, maintaining records of ticket sales, attendance figures, and customer feedback, as well as preparing reports for management and participating in budget planning and management, ensuring a secure and accurate count of cash float at the end of the night.
Overall, the front-of-house manager plays a vital role in ensuring that patrons have a positive and memorable experience at the theater, while also ensuring the smooth operation of front-of-house activities. This requires strong organizational skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Personnel
- Box Office - 1 volunteer
- Programs - 1-2 volunteers
- 50/50 - 1-2 volunteers
- Merch - This can be sold at the box office table, concession/bar, or remotely from a website like Vistafab.
- Ushers - 1-2 volunteers
- Ticket Scanners - two volunteers (One at each door)
- Concession/Bar - 1-2 volunteers. Bar personnel must be of age, and have their ProServe.
