Instructions for Front of House Volunteers
Thank you so much for agreeing to help
out with Front of House.
We have developed a few formalities when doing Front of House. The rules may
sound a little "fussy", but if we all know and follow them it definitely makes
for a tighter and more professional appearance. So here we go...
When to Arrive
Please try to arrive and check in with the FOH manager by 7:15, latest. If you
are going to be late let the Manager know.
Dress for FOH
The standard dress for FOH is black and white and a bit "dressy". Remember to
collect your Kanata Theatre badge from the Manager, and return it by the end of
the evening.
Closing doors before each Act
One person on either side (ODD and EVEN doors) waits for the signal from the FOH
Manager before closing the doors.
The person on the ODD door leads the closing, and doors are shut in unison.
When the bottom doors are shut (down by the stage) the stage manager in the
lighting/sound booth sees this and knows the show can start. (There is no need
to wave or signal the booth.)
Opening doors after each Act
The FOH Manager receives a phone call from the Stage Manager in the booth
alerting that the Act is about to end.
Two people each are posted at the ODD and EVEN doors. One person is at the bottom
door closest the stage, and the second is half way down.
The signal to begin opening the doors is when the hall lights brighten, meaning
the audience lights are coming up.
Sitting in the Theatre
We like to have someone from FOH to sit in theatre during the show. If you would
like to see the show on one of your nights, by all means mention it to the
Manager. You will most likely be seated at the back of the theatre, and your job
will be to inform the FOH Manager of any unruly behaviour by a patron during the
show. (Examples are using a cell phone, drunkenness, etc.) Use your judgement.
If it can wait till intermission let us know then. If it's a real problem (very
rare), quietly leave the theatre and let the Manager know.
Intermission
One person is posted at each door entrance to make sure no-one brings food or
drink into the theatre (water is the only exception).
One person is posted in Coat Check.
One person by the stage to make sure patrons do not sit, put their feet up or
put things on the stage.
The person sitting in the theatre gets a break.
During the Performance
Not the most exciting time for sure! Remember to bring a book or something to
pass the time. If you leave the lobby area, make
sure someone knows where you are, and you are back in time for the intermission
or closing.
Après Show Happy Hour
Front of House persons are part of the crew and are always welcome to come to
the Happy Hour. The Manager will tell you where it is being held that evening.
Leaving early
If you cannot stay till the end of the show, please let the Manager know as soon
as possible. A minimum of 3 to 4 people are needed to stay to the end of the
show (depending on the weather and how busy it is expected to be in Coat Check.)
People will also be needed in FOH in case of an Emergency (patron is sick,
electrical outage, etc.).