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Theatre & Dance 226-426House Manager Practicum Syllabus

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Outcomes:

Demonstrate courteous and professional behavior in a performing arts environment.

Practice the conventions and etiquette required of a Front of a House Manager.

House Manager Practicum Requirements:

The student registered for House Manager practicum must:

See that patrons experience a safe, professional event.

Contact the stage manager to arrange attendance at the final rehearsal of the production in order to understand the flow and pacing of the show and any special requirements or polices specific to the performance.

Meet with the director and stage manager prior to each performance to verify standard policies (opening house, intermission, late seating) and any additional requirements for the specific production.

Supervise ushers, ticket takers and coat check personnel.

Sign in all ushers, ticket takers, and coat check practicum students for each performance.

Return sign-in sheet to Theatre and Dance main office at the end of each week.

Sign out flashlights and name tags to ushers; check-in flashlights and nametags at end of night.

Arrive at the theater one hour and fifteen minutes prior to curtain to begin set-up.

Prepare the front of the house for performances-doors open, lights on, theatre, lobby and entrances clean, coat check area organized, etc.

Prepare hearing assist headsets for patrons that request them. Head-sets and chargers are located in the Coat Check for Jenkins performances and the sound booth for the Studio Theatre performances.

Communicate with the UWSP Box Office Staff to determine when it is safe to close the house.

Communicate with the stage manager that the house is closed.

Open Coat Check 30 minutes prior to curtain. Coat Check should open at 5pm for opening night performances.

Send personnel to their assigned area 35-40 minutes prior to curtain; remind personnel that the house opens 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Stay through the end of each performance to close the space. This includes turning off lights, cleaning theatre, lobby, and coat check, emptying wastebaskets, and locking all spaces.

Assigned ushers will assist with these tasks.

Additional Information:

House Managers will receive the usher practicum list with contact information via email from Lisa Baxter in the Theatre and Dance main office two weeks prior to opening.

Contact all usher practicum students by email at least 4 days prior to the performance to inform them of their duties.

In the email remind them of important policies-arrival time, check in location, dress code (see PR/Usher Practicum syllabus).

Opening Night/First Nighters Dinner:

House Managers should arrive at 5pm to open the coat check room and transport a coat rack to the courtyard for easy access for patrons.

Jenkins Theatre performance: After the First Nighters dinner patrons have moved to the theatre, assign an usher to transport the coat rack to the east side of Jenkins Theatre near the goblet collection.

Note: The goblet cases are alarmed. If they bumped the alarm will go of. If the alarm should be triggered, call campus police (715-346-3456) immediately and someone will come turn it off.

Studio Theatre performances: After the First Nighters dinner patrons have moved to the theatre, assign an usher to transport the coat rack closer to the Studio Theatre. Station an usher in the corridor to be sure the coats are secured.

For Studio Theatre productions, encourage ushers that hope to see the show to purchase a ticket in advance from the ticket office.

Remind ushers that even though they are watching the show they are still on duty and should assist patrons when needed. Refer to the guidelines outlined in the PR/Usher Practicum syllabus.

Walkie-Talkies:

Walkie-talkies are located in the coat check room. With the walkie-talkies, the house managers and stage managers now have the ability to communicate with each other. A third walkie-talkie is available and can be given to the box office staff or to an ASM, whichever works best for the production. It is recommended that for all Jenkins Theatre productions the third walkie-talkie be given to the box office staff for easier communication. Be sure to collect all walkie-talkies and return them to the coat check.

Weather:

House Managers should check the local weather before arriving at the theatre. If warnings or watches are for Portage County please share this information with the productions stage manager, director, and your house staff. Please confer with the director and stage manager (who should be trained in evacuation protocol) in case severe weather or power outages call for the evacuation of the theatre.

Please Note: The Studio Theatre is a designated shelter area in the NFAC. The audience should remain in their places. If evacuation of Jenkins Theatre is called for please announce to the audience that you will be clearing the theatre (give reason) and that ushers will show them to appropriate shelter areas downstairs.

See attached UWSP Emergency Plan Map.

If there is an emergency that requires an Emergency Announcement (see attachment), the House Manager should contact the Director and Stage Manager. The Stage Manager typically is responsible for this announcement, but they should do so after consulting the HM and Director.

Dress Code and Behavior:

Ushers and Ticket Takers are the front-line representatives of the Department of Theatre & Dance and the University. The Department of Theatre & Dance considers the safety and satisfaction of our patrons to be very important. As such, ushers are expected to hold themselves to the highest standard of conduct and courtesy when interacting with each other and patrons. The following list of items establishes the expectations for all of our usher staff.

General expectations:

Attend to patron needs in a friendly and welcoming manner.

Act upon patron comments/complaints in a prompt and professional manner.

Monitor patron activities to prevent safety problems.

Answer patron questions regarding performance details and building amenities.

Dress Code:

Dress professionally and tastefully. Denim is not allowed.

Suggested apparel, dark slacks, a dress shirt, and dress shoes. Sweater, tie, or sport coat are optional. Or a dark dress with straps or sleeves or skirt/slacks with a blouse or sweater, and dress shoes.

Dresses and skirts should be of a modest and appropriate length.

No exposure of cleavage, bare shoulders, or midriff is allowed. No camisoles or low cut or backless dresses or tops are allowed.

Customer Service

A good usher should always be...

Welcoming Smiling, professional, and welcoming behavior.

Proactive Anticipating needs.

Optimistic Reflecting a positive attitude and a willingness to help.

Enthusiastic Responding immediately and searching for solutions.

Patient Keeping your composure.

Inappropriate conversation about parties, other students, patrons, the show, etc. are absolutely prohibited.

No gum or lozenges.

Cell phones must be powered off and out of sight.

Absolutely NO TEXTING OR PHONE CALLS while on duty.

Grading

A grade of "A" will be given for positive attitude, willingness, and fulfillment of all above expectations.

A grade of less than an "A" can be earned because of poor attitude, distracting from the work required, or a violation of the attendance policy.

A grade of "F" will also be given for anyone who does not perform all the required tasks of the PR practicum.

These policies, along with all other house managing duties and responsibilities, are to be carried out by House Managers. As is true in all other matters pertaining to front-of-house operations, the House Manager on duty may feel free to call the Department Chair, Academic Department Associate, production director, or other designated faculty member for consultation and advice.

Campus Security 715-346-3456

Emergency 9-911

Ticket Office 715-346-4100

HOUSE MANAGER CHECKLIST

Prior To The Performance:

Check in with the Stage Manager. Give the Stage Manager one of the walkie-talkies to communicate.

Make sure all entrances are unlocked

Turn on all lights

Assign personnel their duties for the evening prior to the show and email everyone in advance.

Assign personnel to insert Backstage envelopes into the programs

Confirm that the Box Office opens 1 hour prior to the show

See that the lobby and the theatre are free of debris

Distribute badges and flashlight to Ushers and ticket scanners to the Ticket Takers

Everyone should be in place when the house open 30 minutes prior to curtain

Check with the Stage Manager 10 and 5 minutes prior to curtain

Check with the Box Office 7 minutes prior to curtain to see if there is a backup and whether you need to hold the curtain

Flash lobby lights at 5, 3 and 1 minute(s) before the show begins

Check with the Stage Manager and close the house

DURING THE PERFORMANCE:

Immediately after the house is closed, return the ticket scanners to the Box Office.

Have Ushers seat latecomers according to policy

One House Manager should always be present during the performance

Remember that often ours is not the only activity in the building and noise should be kept to a minimum

INTERMISSION:

See that Ushers are prepared to open theatre doors

Jenkins Theatre: Open all double doors at intermission and close all doors when intermission ends

During the Intermission, flash the lights at 5, 3 and 1 minute

Close house after the intermission and clean any debris left behind

FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE

Have Ushers open all theatre doors

Remain in the lobby and reasonably visible as the audience leaves the theatre

Make certain the coats are redistributed

After the audience has cleared the theatre, have the ushers pick up debris and items left behind in the theatre and the lobby.

Return extra programs to the coat check room

Dismiss house staff for the evening

File a report of any unusual occurrences, accidents, or emergencies to the Theatre office on the following business day after the event or email Lisa Ebert

Lock the theatre and the coat check

Turn off second floor lights including lobby lights

Theatre & Dance 226-426

HOUSE MANAGER Practicum

Syllabus

Semester you signed up for is __________________________________________________________.

FAILURE TO PERFORM ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE SYLLABUS WITHOUT THE EXPLICIT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE FACULTY SUPERVISOR OR, SHOULD SAID SUPERVISOR BE UNAVAILABLE, A MEMBER OF THE THEATRE AND DANCE FACULTY, WILL RESULT IN A FAILING GRADE FOR THE PRACTICUM.

A FAILING GRADE WILL REQUIRE THE STUDENT IF THEY ARE A DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE MAJOR OR MINOR TO REPEAT THE PRACTICUM AND WILL RESULT IN PROBATION OR DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.

I have read, understand and accept the syllabus for this course.

Signed Date

Print your name

EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tornado/Weather Speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

We have been alerted to a weather emergency and need to exit the theatre. Please remain calm and move with the rest of your row as directed toward the side doors and down into the basement.

Thank you.

Fire Speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

We are experiencing technical difficulties. Our safety code requires that everyone leave the theatre through the nearest exit as quickly as possible. Please remain calm and move with the rest of your row as directed. Further information regarding the performance will be available outside shortly.

Thank you.

Power Outage Speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

We are currently experiencing a power outage. We will wait to see if power can be restored in a timely manner and will update you as soon as we have more information.

Thank you.

Power Outage (More than Five Minutes)

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

We have determined that the blackout is affecting (only this building/the entire block). While we investigate how long the blackout will last, please feel free to stand up to stretch your legs. Ushers can also help you reach the lobby and restrooms. We will make another announcement once we know the extent of the power problem.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Medical Emergency Speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

Due to a medical situation backstage, we need to pause the performance at this time. If there is a doctor in the audience who is willing to provide assistance, please go to the lobby and identify yourself to the house manager. We ask everyone else to remain in their seats, and we will resume the performance as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Medical Emergency in the Audience Speech:

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please:

Due to a medical situation, we need to pause the performance at this time. If there is a doctor in the audience who is willing to provide assistance, please go to the lobby and identify yourself to the house manager. We as...