House Manager

House Manager 

Classification: Part Time Temporary

Part-Time May and June 2025

Compensation $20 per hour

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

For 29 years, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas (“Arts & Ideas”) has inspired and delighted audiences with an annual program of over 200 performing arts and humanities events year-round, at least 80% of which are free. 

Focused events in June range from world and nationally-renowned speakers sharing the stage with critical local voices for discussions on democracy, to jazz concerts, theatrical performances, dance; takeout mixology classes; bike and walking tours; and live, individual performances by local on-call artists on front lawns and sidewalks throughout the area. 

Year-round programs include special town-hall events, a fellowship program for youth, planning and implementing mini-festivals in New Haven’s culturally-rich neighborhoods, participation in the NEA Big Read, and our annual Visionary Leadership Award program.

POSITION SUMMARY:

House managers are responsible for ensuring a “serious fun” vibe at all Festival programs and the safety of all audience members through venue management and careful attention paid to managing a volunteer usher staff. 
 
House managers will be trained, though previous experience in customer service and event management is preferred. 

CORE COMPETENCIES: 

• Completing all projects with accuracy and diligence.


• Arriving at work on time, focused, and ready to serve customers each day.


• Maintaining a positive presence at all times, including interactions with both Festival staff, volunteers, and, of course, the Festival audiences. 


• Keeping calm under pressure, flexibility with an ever-changing work environment, and a sense of humor. 
  

RELATIONSHIPS: 

House Managers work closely with the Stage Managers and Artist Services Coordinators, and report primarily to the House Management Captain. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Become familiar with venues (restrooms, exits, fire extinguishers, etc.) and with events (running times, late seating, intermission).


• Check for proper number of programs and appropriate signage at venues.


• Meet with box office personnel to review procedures such as late seating, press seating, handicapped seating, and over-flow issues, as well as CSSOs (Customer Service and Safety Officer) at each venue.


• Contact volunteer ushers to confirm availability.


• Contact volunteer ushers the day before each event to confirm attendance


• Meet with volunteer ushers and communicate their responsibilities and placement/assignments clearly.


• Coordinate opening of the house, intermission and the start of the show with the stage manager, ASC and, for ticketed events, the box office.


• Handle all late-comers.


• Stay on site and remain alert for any emergencies or disturbances in the audience.


• At the conclusion of the performance, assist the audience with efficient and safe departure from the space and clean up the audience area before leaving the venue.


• Count ticket stubs and fill out a House Management Event Report.


• Deliver Report and ticket stubs to the House Manager Captain. 
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

International Festival of Arts & Ideas is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, transgender status, gender identity or expression, marital or pregnancy status, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disability, intellectual disability, learning disability, military status, lawful source of income, sexual orientation or physical disability, or any other class of persons or categories protected by law.

The Festival believes in centering Black and Brown communities that are targeted and abused by unjust systems of oppression. The Festival stands in solidarity with the communities, artists, and speakers with whom it collaborates and pledges that its support extends beyond the Festival’s performance dates. The Festival will do everything it can to help dismantle systematic racism and raises its voice with those in the community who are already engaged in this vital work. The Festival commits to working alongside the community to create transformative change in New Haven.