SondheimFan5 is correct. Broadway theatre ushers are union members. You basically have to know someone (or even better, be related to someone) in the union and get a referral for union membership.
Have you seen some of those theatre ushers? There are a good number of them who are in their 70s and 80s and have been around so long they have soured on the job. The younger ushers (under 40) seem to be much friendlier.
Just like any other gig on Broadway, you have to know someone, be in a union, have an "in"... If it were that easy to do it, don't you think more people would do it if only to see free theatre?
It's not *that* hard. I know several people who usher at Broadway houses. While you do have to join the union, it's not as hard as getting into AEA. Playbill.com occasionally posts usher job listings, so look out for those.
Yes, all the advice you've gotten in this thread is correct. There's really nothing else to suggest. Of course, ushering in an off broadway house is different.
to the op-If you google the topic, you'll find several sites which will be helpful, including Playbill.com. I think you'll get all the info you need that way!
Isn't more like seeing free SHOW - over and over and over? Arent' ushers TYPICALLY in the same theater most of the time?
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
If you usher on Broadway you're probably not doing it to see a free show. If that's your whole purpose, you'll be quite bored seeing the same "free show" for years if it has a long run. I can't think of any show I'd ever want to see that many times.
Scratch and claw for every day you're worth!
Make them drag you screaming from life, keep dreaming
You'll live forever here on earth.
This would be a really fun job. I would love to do it in the future. And you know what? I don't think I would get tired of the show because it would be fun to see what changes during the run.
It's always fun to see mess ups on stage as an usher... Most fun when actors stumble over lines and dance moves... Those are great memories. I used to dread going to Mary Poppins every single show. You memorize everything- the lines, the dancing, the vocal parts, the instrumentation... It can be fun, but it's still a job. You just learn to tune everything out after a while.
Being part of broadway is special and it's a job I hope to keep for a while (as a second job, I don't recommend this as a first job to anyone) But go apply to those three companies mentioned above. Also, The new Amsterdam always needs ushers.
Ushers make alittle under $50 per show. The money is good for the work you do. Nowadays you do not need to know someone to get it. Its not like years ago.