POSITION: Patron Attendant
DEPARTMENT: Operations
REPORTS TO: Front of House Manager
CLASSIFICATION: Part-time; Seasonal; Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: $17.50/hr base; $19.75/hr when working Parking Attendant shifts; paid sick and bereavement leave; staff holiday pay; access to participate in a 403(b) retirement plan; complimentary and discounted tickets; institutional professional development opportunities; free parking within walking distance, and additional perks.
LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to 91 University Place, in Princeton, NJ, with a schedule based on the performance calendar and other departmental needs.
START DATE: This position will begin as soon as possible.
POSITION SUMMARY
McCarter Theatre Center is seeking hospitality-oriented Patron Attendants to support our audience experience in our venues. Patron Attendants are essential members of McCarter’s Front of House team and serve as the primary point of connection between the organization and our audiences. As ambassadors of McCarter, Patron Attendants help ensure that every patron feels welcomed, informed, safe, and respected from the moment they arrive through the conclusion of each performance.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES
- Greet and welcome audience members with professionalism, warmth, and approachability; assist patrons in locating their assigned seats based on ticket information and venue layout.
- Serve as an attendant in lobby and seating areas while maintaining clear communication with House Management via radio to support coordinated Front of House operations.
- Scan tickets using designated devices to verify valid admission credentials for the scheduled performance.
- Respond to seating discrepancies, ticketing questions, or patron concerns with calm, courteous problem-solving, escalating issues to an Assistant House Manager when appropriate.
- Provide attentive assistance to patrons with disabilities or other access needs, including support with seating, mobility, or other accommodations to ensure a comfortable and dignified experience.
- Answer patron questions related to the performance, venue logistics, and Front of House procedures, referring content-specific questions to House Management when needed.
- Monitor audience behavior during performances and uphold venue policies and performance protocols, including restrictions on photography, recording, late seating, re-entry, and access to restricted areas, in coordination with House Management.
- Support a welcoming and respectful environment for all patrons by consistently applying McCarter’s Code of Conduct and addressing disruptive or inappropriate behavior with care, discretion, and support from House Management.
- Maintain familiarity with emergency procedures, evacuation protocols, and the location of all exits; respond promptly and appropriately during emergencies in coordination with House Management and Operations staff.
- Participate in required trainings and stay informed of updates to Front of House procedures, safety protocols, and audience policies.
- On an opt-in basis and following required training, assist with parking operations outside the Matthews Theatre entrance as the Parking Attendant on duty to support patron arrival and departure.
- On an opt-in basis and following required training, assist with merchandise sales, limited concessions, or bar support as assigned.
- Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, patrons, and others.
- Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter. Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging for all, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”
QUALIFICATIONS
- Possesses a confident and approachable demeanor with excellent customer service skills exceptional diplomacy, interpersonal and teamwork skills; a proven track record of building and nurturing relationships with customers and colleagues alike
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, and maintain composure while making swift decisions and escalating issues to House Management as necessary
- A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work harmoniously with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, always approaching challenges with optimism, civility, and a solutions-oriented approach.
- Position requires a valid background screening to be on file prior to start.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to communicate in other languages (e.g. ASL and multilingual)
- Current CPR & First Aid certification
- An enthusiasm for the performing arts, with particular interest in supporting and elevating the work of global artists across many disciplines
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff. We seek individuals who share our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
- Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays during the performance season, as scheduled in advance.
- The position involves extended periods of standing, e.g. a 2-4-hour shift; the ability to read and interpret documents/ticket scanning devices. Duties may include repetitive tasks, walking, bending, reaching, and navigating stairs (approximately 40 steps) in varied work environments. Reasonable accommodations are available.
- Ability to work in dim lighting (e.g., to read tickets) and walk in limited lighting (e.g., to assist patrons with seating).
- Potential for moderate to high noise environments depending on production and performance elements; ability to hear and speak clearly in areas with significant background noise (e.g., to answer patron questions); Work environments may include periods of high audience volume and dense foot traffic, particularly before and after performances.
- Work is primarily completed in public lobby and performance/seating spaces at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, subject to normal building and HVAC conditions; On occasion, work may take place outdoors and involve exposure to varying weather conditions.
- Dress code includes black clothing; appropriate dark-colored working shoes, with long hair pulled back.
- Employees may be required to use a personal mobile device to access authenticator applications and related software necessary for secure system access (e.g., multi-factor authentication). Use of personal devices for these limited purposes is expected, as alternatives may not be available.
This job posting describes the general nature and level of work expected in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications, and may be modified as needed.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.
A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.
Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
TO APPLY
Please visit our Career Center page to apply for this position. Though a resume is not required, we welcome any additional context you would like to share about your experience and interest in this role. We look forward to learning more about you and the perspective you would bring to the position.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. We seek team members who bring a range of backgrounds and experiences in support of an expansive artistic vision; who are committed to ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work, both individually and collectively; and who value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and continuous personal and professional growth.
McCarter does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification listed. Many skills are transferable, and we recognize that strong candidates may bring relevant experience, intuition, and perspective gained through a variety of paths. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship.
McCarter Theatre Center is also committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants who require accommodations may contact Human Resources at (609) 258-6500 or email [email protected].
