CENTRAL CITY OPERA 2018

INTERN JOB DESCRIPTIONS

INTERN/USHER GENERAL OPERATIONAL DUTIES

  • GENERAL DUTIES:

-BE READY FOR ANYTHING!

-Will be working 6 days out of the week between 7 and 12 hours a day (typically 7-9 hours at start of season and 8-10hours once all the shows are open), any time between 9am and 11pm most days (8:15am if you’re doing facilities maintenance – FAC MAN)

-Some days lunch or dinner breaks will not fit into the schedule – usually meals will be provided in this case, but if not you will have to plan ahead and make it work (bring your meal to work)

-Lift objects up to 50 lbs

-Move furniture into and out of rental housing units/locations at the beginning and end of season

-Perform house checks and various maintenance tasks in housing units to prepare for company member arrivals

-Prepare humidifiers, fans, and space heaters forseason use by company members

-Paint/touch-up safety strips on the Opera House stairs

-Clean the Opera House, orchestra pit, and Stables on a regular basis (vacuum, sweep, mop, dust, etc.)

-Water plants and flowers in Opera Garden, Opera Patio, and hanging plants in CCO housing

-Facilities maintenance (FAC MAN) – emptying trash and unlocking Stables, Foundry Rehearsal Building, Teller House offices, and Festival Hall at 8:15am every day for a week

-Operate company van to run errands, pick up/drop off interoffice mail at Denver office, and drive weekly grocery runs (only if over 22 yrs of age or older)

-May also have to drive artists to the airport at the end of the season (if 22 yrs old or older)

-Assist other interns with certain projects (usually the Office Assistant or Events Assistant)

-Stuff and restock programs as needed throughout the season

-Assist Director of Production with various projects that may arise, as needed

-Work one Monday during the season to water flowers (paid extra)

-Work one Monday during the season to man the front desk phone from 9am-5pm (paid extra)

  • USHER DUTIES:

-Wear the usher uniform

-Greet patrons

-Distribute programs

-Check tickets at the door

-Memorize the Usher Song and sing (while marching) before mainstage performances

-Memorize the seating arrangement in the Opera House and direct patrons to their seats

-Be prepared to answer questions about the facilities, the shows, or the history of the company

-Sit through performances in the back of the house in assigned usher positions

-Ring the bell at the beginning of each show and at intermission to alert patrons that the show is about to start/resume (bell-ringing and making announcements)

-Run the concession booth in the Patio, if assigned

-Clean up trash/programs left in the Opera House after the performance

-Respectfully deal with patrons of all ages and dispositions

-Be a friendly face to represent CCO

-Usher performances outside of the Opera House (One Acts, Lunch and a Song, Short Works, etc.)

-Help disabled patrons directly to their seats and assist in climbing stairs

-Make sure no food or drink enters the theatre except bottled water

-Offer patrons assisted listening devices, water, or fleeces if they ask, in exchange for a form of ID

-Direct patrons to Will Call, where to buy food/water, water fountains, restrooms, parking, etc.

-Make sure no one uses their cell phones or takes photos/videos during performances

-Know how many seats are available for late seating in the balcony

-Direct late patrons to the Teller House to watch the performance live streamed until intermission

-Know who to contact in the case of an in-house emergency

  • SWITCHBOARD/FESTIVAL HALL FRONT RECEPTION DESK DUTIES:

-Answer phone at front reception desk

-Take messages as needed

-Transfer calls internally

-Sign-in packages being delivered by USPS, FedEx and UPS

-Check-in company member arrivals at beginning of season

-Assist company members with office needs, how to use office machines like copier

-Answer artist, patron, and tourist questions as needed

-Check-in cover artists for performances

-Distribute paychecks on Fridays and make sure people check out their paychecks/paystubs

-Monitor vacuum/humidifier/space heater check-out sheets

-Put lost and found items in the lost and found drawer of the front desk

-Give driving directions to patrons coming to the Opera House

-Post the daily schedule on the bulletin board next to the front desk and refer to it when needed

-Direct employees to coaching request forms, computer, ticket waitlist, music library request forms

-If assigned to night switchboard duty (last switchboard shift before Festival Hall closes for the night), lock up Teller House, Stables, Foundry Rehearsal Building, and Festival Hall – must be comfortable walking through these buildings alone at night or with a buddy

  • DESIRED SKILLS:

-Must have strong work ethic, be motivated, be punctual, be task-oriented and able to multi-task

-Must be kind and polite to patrons and fellow co-workers

-Must be able to work and live with others and understand the responsibilities of living in a house with co-workers (keeping house neat and clean, respectfully of those working or sleeping)

-Must have respect for and knowledge of everyone else’s job

-Must understand that festival staffer/intern duties are a big part of the job here and there will be days when you do not work in your specific department at all in order to fulfill these responsibilities

-In positions that require paperwork, you may do work on your own time if you’re not able to complete tasks during your scheduled work hours

-Must be an “active learner” and interested in being mentored

-Must be able to take constructive criticism and be pushed beyond existing knowledge/experience

-Must be professional at all times

-Must have an appreciation for theatre, including opera, and a desire to contribute, collaborate and grow with other young and seasoned professionals