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JPAC ushering in more help

JANESVILLE — Sheila Seibert was ushering at the Janesville Performing Arts Center a couple weeks ago when she saw someone operating a video camera in the first row of the balcony.

"The usher upstairs couldn't see. So I sent the house manager up," Seibert said.

Taking pictures and recording is not allowed during performances, she said.

Seibert is among more than 100 volunteer JPAC ushers who range in age from 7 to 80 and come from all walks of life, said Laurel Canan, executive director.

Canan said more volunteers are always needed. That's why she conducts training at least two times in the fall and sometimes again in January, depending on need or demand.

"We've had as many a 25 show up and great success with this program that started three years ago because the hours are flexible,” Canan said.

Usher training that is being offered today and Thursday.

Training takes about an hour. Those who attend get training in emergency procedures and a handbook of tips, dos and don'ts and a floor plan of the facility.

"The usher's job is to make the audience as comfortable as possible while keeping them from interrupting the performers and to protect the privacy of the building residents," she said.

Sheila Seibert, Ron Brown and Gloria Michael, all of Janesville, have been ushers since the program started and plan to continue volunteering.

"I love theater, and I like people," said Seibert, who is retired.

Brown does it because "it's fun” and he's "a big backer of the arts."

Michael could no longer could dig weeds at Rotary Gardens but "wanted to do something, and JPAC seemed like a really good place to volunteer and see things I couldn't find in my budget otherwise."

A person can volunteer as much or as little as they like, Canan said.

Seibert on average volunteers a couple times a month, while Brown was JPAC's No. 1 usher last year, racking up 116 hours, Canan said.

Dressed in black pants or skirt and white top accented with an usher lanyard, ushers watch for people with cell phones and cameras. They help first-timers find their seats and answer their questions, show them the lobby and direct them to restrooms, Canan said.

Canan said the volunteer ushers are ambassadors of JPAC and "my eyes and ears," she said.

Each show requires 12 to 15 ushers, Canan said.

Seibert, Brown and Michael couldn't recall a bad experience. They said people come to be entertained and for the most part are very cooperative.

But there are those who come in late and people who use their cell phones.

That's why ushers are needed "to keep the audience quiet and undisruptive for everyone,” Seibert said.

KEYS TO USHERING

The most important responsibility of volunteer ushers at the Janesville Performing Arts Center is to treat everyone—patrons, employees, visitors and event staff—with kindness and respect. Other usher duties include:

1. Greeting patrons, making eye contact, smiling, welcoming them and telling them to enjoy the performance.

2. Giving accurate and detailed instructions on how to get where they want to be.

3. Being tactful and sensitive when enforcing policy.

4. Standing aside so latecomers can see the show.

5. Treating others like you would like to be treated.

6. Being a team player by helping other ushers, if necessary.

6. Avoid being rude even if you get upset with a particular situation.

7. Being flexible even if a patron wants to enter through the wrong door.

8. Signing a confidentiality statement to protect the privacy of JPAC patrons and users.

TO VOLUNTEER

Who: Janesville Performing Arts Center

What: Volunteer usher training

When: 6:30 p.m., for about one hour, today or Thursday

Where: JPAC, 408 S. Main St., Janesville