House Manager

Dance Place is hiring!  We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and talented individual to join our team as the House Manager for our nationally recognized, cultural arts center in Washington, DC. This on-call, non-exempt position will bring support to our passion for building a sustainable community of artists, audiences, and students through high-quality performances, commissions, training, and educational programs. This position offers growth potential for opportunities to extend into Dance Place rentals within the Operations Department. This is an onsite work opportunity with a pay rate of $20.00/hour.  

Heralded as the “hub of dance activity in Washington, DC”, Dance Place is an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified applicants from underrepresented communities to apply. We believe that people of color, people in the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and women must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities to apply to our openings. Come enjoy an exciting and inclusive team environment of movement artists who share a common goal of strengthening the dance field by investing deeply in artists and centering those who have been systemically excluded from such opportunities.  For more information on our amazing organization, please visit our site at https://www.danceplace.org. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The House Manager ensures a seamless and positive experience for audience & community members during performances and events. This role involves overseeing front-of-house operations, managing ushers and volunteers, resolving issues, and working closely with the Production team to ensure each event runs smoothly. The House Manager plays a key role in creating a welcoming, organized, and safe environment for audiences and staff alike. Ideally, the candidate will commit to the entire season (February - August).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At a minimum, the House Manager  role will be responsible for successfully carrying out the following essential functions and duties:

Front-of-House Operations

• Supervise all front-of-house activities, ensuring that audience & community members are greeted warmly and assisted as needed.
• Coordinate seating, lobby management, and crowd control before, during, and after performances.
• Oversee box office and concessions coordination, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and timely service.

Staff & Volunteer Management

• Manage ushers, ticket takers, and volunteers, providing direction and support throughout the event.
• Train and brief ushers and volunteers on event details, and customer service best practices.
• Ensure volunteers are aware of any specific needs or requests for each performance, including accessibility accommodations.
• Serve as the point person for ASL Interpreters on Saturday performances.

Customer Service & Problem Solving

• Act as the main point of contact for audience & community members' questions, concerns, or issues, resolving them promptly and professionally.
• Handle late seating, ticketing issues, and other audience & community member needs in coordination with the box office team.
• Address any disruptive behavior or incidents during performances with tact and discretion.

Safety & Emergency Management

• Ensure that all safety protocols, including fire exits, are understood and followed by staff and audience & community members.
• Act as the lead in case of emergencies, communicating with the appropriate personnel and following evacuation or safety procedures when needed. 
• Monitor the venue for potential hazards and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Event Coordination & Communication

• Collaborate with the Presentation team to ensure all departments are aligned and working together efficiently.
• Provide performance updates and post-show reports to the Public Programming Producer.
• Facilitate communication between front-of-house and backstage teams to ensure smooth transitions and timing during events.

*The list of functions is not all-inclusive, as other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:

High school diploma is required. 

Experience:

Previous experience in customer service, event management, or front-of-house roles, ideally within a performing arts or theater setting. Minimum of two years of experience is preferred.

Other Necessary Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience supervising staff or volunteers.  
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, with a calm and professional demeanor.
• Proficiency in Google Suite or similar office software.
• Familiarity with crowd management and safety procedures; CPR/First Aid certification is a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks, and remain flexible.
• Evening and weekend availability required for performances and events.

Computer/Technology Skills:

• Familiarity with PatronManager or similar CRM systems is a plus.
• Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail) or similar web applications for administrative tasks.

Physical Demands:

This position requires the ability to sit and stand for prolonged times; walk moderate distances; frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs.; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch; frequently communicate verbally with others; view a computer screen for prolonged periods; and repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers due to typing. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Our staff is diverse, small, lively, and highly collaborative. We have frequent interactions with visiting teachers, artists, and students of all ages. While some of Dance Place staff currently work a hybrid schedule, splitting time between our main office in Washington, DC, and remote work, the House Manager is an onsite position. Due to the in-person aspects of the position, all employees are required to adhere to Dance Place’s current COVID-19 policy.

Salary : $20