Ushering at New World Stages

I woke up early this morning so I could try to get to Macy's before it got too hectic. It was "Extra Associate Discount Day" and a sale day. I wanted to have a little bit of time in the store to really look at everything there is to see. I ended up getting a skirt and a laptop cover (which doesn't fit my laptop.) I really was hoping to find more since Macy's is my favorite store but I really felt like they didn't have much which is absurd because their store takes up a whole city block. Everything I really liked I couldn't justify spending the money on. On the way out, the diamond case caught my eye. I ended up looking around at the diamonds and pondering buying myself a nice pair of diamond studs that I can hang on to forever and use it as a souvenir. I'd rather have earrings to remember this trip rather than a snow globe. 


I headed up to Bloomingdales because I promised my mom I would pick up a David Yurman ring that she had her eye on. I also exchanged a blazer I bought previously for a smaller size. It was a quick affair because I was starting to get hungry. I'm starting to realize that I didn't plan out enough places to eat on this trip. I had no idea where I wanted to go. I wanted breakfast but it was almost 2pm. I ended up stopping in a diner and ordering breakfast. My first venture at eating alone went pretty smoothly. No one looked at me like I had 5 eyes or 14 fingers. I don't recall the name of the restaurant but the waiters were really nice and old school New Yorkers. The food was nothing to write home about. 


I decided to try my hand at thrift shopping in the city. YIKES! The prices were unreal. At first I reasoned that I was probably in a high end thrift shop. They did have a sign offering a sale of 50% (but only 20% on Chanel.) However, I didn't see any Chanel. The clothes I did see were American Eagle, H&M, Target brand, etc. These pieces would usually be about $2-4 at my local thrift back home. Here, they were about $20 average! Isn't that how much they cost BRAND NEW?! I went to the next store and it was much the same. It was weird because no matter which way you look at it these are still used and several seasons out clothing which were not designer brand! I gave up after a few stores. 


I just decided that since it was such a lovely day outside and I had no where else to be that I would walk back to 59th Street. I believe I was around 82nd or so. I just wondered down, mainly along Madison Avenue. It was a nice walk and I got to window shop on the way. I decided to head back to the apartment from there as it was close to 5 and I was ushering for Rent at New World Stages tonight and I had to change, eat, etc.


I headed for the theater at about 6 and arrived at 6:30. Of course, when I leave early the subways are reliable, psht. I struck up a conversation with the other usher outside and we talked about recent shows that we had seen and which ones we liked. She was a theater major which left me wondering why I didn't think about that because it sounds like a ton of fun managing shows and working backstage. 


At 7:00 we headed in and checked in at the reception desk. We left all of our items in a back room and waited for the head usher of the shows we were destined for to come get us. I was first to go and was taken to the stock room where I grabbed some bundles of playbills and fillers. We had to stuff the playbills with fillers because there was an understudy going on tonight and it gave information about them. We headed down to the stage and sat in the audience stuffing the papers in the playbills. It was really easy and all of the people on stage were checking lights and equipment. I quickly realized that anything ones says on stage sounds very dramatic and philosophical. It was neat to see how everyone prepared for the show. 


After the playbills were stuffed, the head usher explained my job as an usher. Basically anyone who walked through my door was supposed to get a playbill. I would then look at their ticket and just point them towards their seats by saying "(Insert seat number) You are straight ahead to the left." The layout of the theater was really easy to work with. All two digit numbers were on the right and all three digits were in the middle so I didn't have to memorize much. The doors opened and it was pretty easy. Admittedly I was a little shaky with my lefts and rights. I am going to be such an great elementary school teacher. >.<


I got to find a seat near the back for the first act. I enjoyed the show. I enjoyed it even more that it was free. This was my first Off-Broadway show and I didn't see much difference between Off-Broadway and Broadway. The theater was smaller and there were a lot of cheers and "You Go Girl"s when Angel, the drag queen came out. However, I think that's just the crowd that comes to see Rent. It would probably be the same laid back feel if it was in a Broadway house. 


My next duty as an usher was during intermission. I was to guard a exit door that's on the side of the theater. Sometimes patrons think its an exit door for the bathrooms so I had to make sure they didn't. No one got lost thankfully. I did get asked how long the show was which I was able to answer. 2 points! A girl came up to me near the end of intermission and asked "Why is everyone still here?" She spoke broken English so I was sort of confused by her question. I started explaining to her that if they didn't have to go to the bathroom of get a drink they probably wanted to stay in the theater? She says, "So there is more to the show?" OH! She didn't realize there was a second part! I told her there was and this was just intermission. She seemed relieved. Back to my seat. 


After the show ended I had to stand at the stray exit door again. Once the theater was cleared out, I picked up playbills and tossed them in the garbage. A lot of people leave their playbills! I didn't have to pick up any garbage or leftover drinks since I'm a volunteer I don't think they wanted that liability. I was done at 10:45 exactly and out the door. It was a very awesome experience and I got to do it again a few days ago for Avenue Q (post coming soon!) I hoped on the subway and was home in no time. If you are interested in ushering you should email the theater 2 months out. I emailed about 3 1/2 months out but they wrote be back and said to ask again when I was two months away. I asked for two dates and gave the shows I wanted to see. Friday and Saturday are the days the theater needs people. I really recommend Avenue Q. Rent will be closing in September. The volunteer request email is : volunteer@newworldstages.com Make sure to include a few different dates in case yours are full! You have to wear black slacks and a long sleeve collar shirt in either white or black. 




BTW: I would LOVE some good dinner or lunch recommendations! Preferably around $10-$16 an entree. I will try any type of cuisine but if you recommend something a little different please let me know your favorite dishes there!! I'm trying to branch out but admittedly I only eat Italian and American back home.