Students work as auditorium ushers

Although the IU Auditorium’s usher program has been around since 1941, the job has remained the same, except for one thing: required clothing attire.

“Formal wear was tuxedos and fancy-schmancy dresses,” said Jennifer Maddox, IU Auditorium house manager. “Ushers used to have to buy or rent their own tuxedos. It’s been the basic value of giving back to the community and the camaraderie of the people.”

There are 1,400 registered volunteers this semester, but the job provides students with more than just a free show. It gives students an opportunity to build communication
and problem-solving skills, Maddox said.

“We don’t really advertise,” Maddox said. “It’s mainly by word of mouth – we get a lot of people through Welcome Week. After a while people start to make connections. It’s a social network. It’s giving back to the community in which students reside.”

She said a new feature this year for the usher volunteers is community service activities, including volunteering with Hoosier Hills Food Bank and making fleece blankets for hospital patients. In addition, there is a social committee among the volunteers.  

“We sent out a survey asking for feedback about what you liked about the auditorium and what you liked about being here,” Maddox said. “We were trying to figure out how to retain students.”

Maddox said the auditorium uses an online database system that serves as a sign-up system for the ushers to choose what shows to work. Volunteers can apply after one semester to become a manager and can work their way up the scale for more distinguished jobs.

Maddox said she spends a large part of her time working with students and that she enjoys it.

“I learn so much from them every day,” she said. “It’s very enriching for me to be around them.”

Sophomore usher Kirsten Torchalski said she originally liked the idea of seeing free shows, but she said she became accustomed to the atmosphere.

“The people who work there are extremely friendly and try their hardest to make it a fun environment,” Torchalski said. “It’s very welcoming. Nobody will ignore you, and everyone is very helpful.”

Torchalski said starting out as an usher was tough because she didn’t know the seating very well, but because the programs re-orient the ushers at each event, things got easier over time.

“It’s very different from any other job I’ve done,” Torchalski said. “I’ve worked as a cashier, a secretary, behind the desk. It’s kind of nice to actually interact with people.”
She said it is rewarding when the patrons comment on the ushers’ friendliness – being helpful to others is key.

Camaraderie sums up senior Jake Dawes’ usher experience as assistant house manager. Dawes said he has worked with the auditorium since summer 2006.

“I live with people that work at the auditorium,” Dawes said. “It’s a nice atmosphere to have a really cool group of people that care about you.”

Dawes said he has developed skills including how to remain calm under pressure and being able to work through problems to get to solutions quickly.

“People tend to get upset when they don’t get exactly what they want,” he said.
Dawes said he encourages other students to get involved with the auditorium and to reap the benefits from the experience.

“They can really experience things that they usually don’t get to experience and eventually make a ton of great new friends,” Dawes said. “It’s a cool potential for a lot of different opportunities.”