The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center (DHKT) opened in April 1964 as the New York State Theater. The theater was designed by the renowned architect Philip Johnson, built with funds from the State of New York, and given to the City of New York as a home for performing arts organizations. Today, the theater is home to the New York City Ballet as well as a growing number of national and international touring performing arts groups.
The DHKT Front of House Team consists of Directors, Ticket Takers, and Ushers. The Front of House team is under the direction of the Event Operations Manager and scheduled and supervised by the Front of House Coordinator. The Substitute Usher position is a union position affiliated with the IATSE Local 306 Usher & Ticket Taker union. Candidates for the Substitute Usher position are required, as a condition of employment to be members in good standing with the Local 306 Usher Union and or join the union after 30 days of employment.
Position Start Date: September 2026
Major Duties and Responsibilities
- Smile, greets, directs, and aids patrons during assigned performances and events.
- Provide a positive presence and consistent availability in the theater for interaction with patrons.
- Be enthusiastic and able to actively engage patrons in a courteous manner and anticipate patron’s needs.
- Assist with seating late arrivals.
- Liaise between venue guests, patrons, Directors, Ticket Takers, Ushers, Event Operations Manager, FOH Coordinator, and other key stakeholders.
- Pass out programs and inserts to patrons as assigned.
- Able to distinguish varying degrees of customer service issues and elevate such issues to management.
- Follow in accordance with and exemplify customer service initiatives.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
- Have relevant experience and have worked as an usher in a similar professional venue
- Previous or current experience as a DHKT substitute usher is preferred.
- Must possess strong customer service skills/etiquette, excellent verbal communication skills, and the ability to work well with a diverse clientele
- Must be able to work as a team player and keep calm under pressure while handling customer service issues
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule including days, nights, weekends and holidays
- Must be willing and able to assist with emergency evacuations and maintain knowledge of all venue fire and emergency evacuation plans
Minimum Requirements
- Must have relevant experience and have worked as an usher in a similar professional venue.
- Possess strong customer service skills/etiquette, excellent verbal communication skills, and the ability to work well with a diverse clientele.
- Work as a team player and keep calm under pressure while handling customer service issues.
- Familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Work a flexible schedule including days, nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Willing and able to assist with emergency evacuations.
- Must maintain knowledge of all venue fire and emergency evacuation plans.
Attributes that help make a person successful in this role include
- Leadership Customer service
- Lead by example Flexibility
- Positive attitude Excellent work ethic
Team-oriented
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Work Environment
- While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to:
- Standing for extended periods throughout the day
- Theater and lobby setting
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the minimum requirements of this position:
- Regularly requires standing for extended periods of time.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a part-time union-affiliated hourly position. Work hours vary according to the event and performance schedule and may include weekends, holidays, and other scheduled work periods as necessary.
Other Duties
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement
New York City Ballet is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status, familial status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to extent required by applicable law, credit history or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
New York City Ballet, one of the foremost ballet companies in the world, pursues the highest levels of artistic excellence and innovation. Therefore, we seek to attract, retain, and cultivate the most talented dancers, musicians, designers, stage technicians, and arts administrators. To this end, we are deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values and reflects inclusion, equity and access for all. We are inspired by our founders, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who envisioned an authentically American expression of ballet with a company that reflects the rich cultural diversity of this nation. In pursuit of their vision, we are committed to all by educating, developing, and supporting an organization that welcomes and amplifies the voices and lived experiences of everyone.
