Ushers needed for local productions

Melissa Dymock

Students looking to broaden their horizons without slimming down their wallets have other options besides sneaking past the usher. They can become an usher.

Both the Ellen Eccles Theatre and the Utah State University theater department are looking for ushers for upcoming shows.

Bethany Little, a box office clerk at the Eccles Theatre, said to become an usher isn’t hard. A person calls the box office manager to sign up and complete a one-hour training course.

Ushers earn one-half a free ticket for every show they usher and also get to watch the show when they usher for it for free Little said. There is no minimum amount of shows ushers have to sign up for.

“Whenever there is a performance they sign up for the one they want and just as many as they want,” she said.

Little said ushers’ duties include taking tickets, helping people sit down a few who work the concessions during the intermission and clean up. But during the show itself there is little to do.

The Eccles Theatre is looking for ushers during the Cheryl Wheeler concert in March, Little said.

Jeremy Gordon, public relations director for theater arts at USU, said becoming an usher and being an usher is not difficult.

“Ushers stand by and make sure patrons follow guidelines,” Gordon said. “Ushers can sit and watch, but they have to be aware of what’s going on.”

Ushers get into shows free and have the chance to build résumés since ushering is considered volunteer work, Gordon said. It also gives students the opportunity to experience culture firsthand.

The theater department is currently looking for ushers for the upcoming performance “Vanities,” Gordon said.

For more information about ushering for Utah State Theatre department, call 797-1500.