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Call for Volunteer Board Members
Massey Theatre Society (the Society), and the artistic programming and community services it provides, are undergoing an exciting transformation. In 2021, the Society signed a 25-year lease agreement, based in partnership with the City of New Westminster, for the Massey Theatre’s expanded venue of the Eighth and Eight Creative Spaces. The certainty of this lease allows the Society to affirm a long-term vision of a vibrant accessible community and cultural arts spaces for all with sustainable strategies to achieve it.
The Vision
A vibrant regional destination for creative, arts and culture
What we need
We are looking for skilled and committed individuals to join our volunteer Board of Directors. Specifically, we are interested in energized individuals of a variety of ages with one or more of the following characteristics:
- A passion for the arts and community engagement
- Understanding and interest in the not-for-profit sector and community development
- Willingness to fundraise for the arts
- Knowledge of business planning and development
The Massey Theatre Society contributes to artistic and cultural activity in several dynamic ways:
- presenting professional theatre, dance, music, visual arts and multidisciplinary performances
- providing cultural facilities for the community to practice in, work in and witness the arts in
- offering a variety of participation-based arts and culture programs and experiences
The operation and programming of Massey Theatre Society is done by a diversified team of respected arts professionals while the volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for high level oversight and strategic direction to help ensure the long-term preservation and stewardship of the facility, its programs, the arts and its relationships with the community. The next two years will see the transformation of the facility through completion of a long-awaited capital renovation. The Society will be focused on continuity of services, financial sustainability and establishing its long-term programming and business models.
We endeavor to maintain a diverse array of perspectives and lived experience on the Board. The Board should be reflective of a full spectrum of heritages, ages, abilities and gender identities. If you are interested, please contact Jessica Schneider at jessica@masseytheatre.com with a resume and cover letter. Expressions of interest should be submitted by October 11, 2024.
Supporting Documents
Massey Theatre Society 2024-2030 Strategic Plan
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Job Posting: Auxiliary Ticketing Staff
We are currently in need of three to four ticket sellers to join our team for the season ahead with opportunity to advance and continue to work into the future. The ticketing team is part of the larger Front-of-House staff group. Ticketing staff are responsible for attending to day-to-day and event ticket sales, client care and running reports. They carry out regular activities to ensure the financially effective and customer service-oriented operations of the ticketing and registration activities at Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces (Massey Theatre Complex, New Westminster, BC) and affiliated offsite facilities such as Anvil Theatre.
We work in a highly customer service-oriented industry, which involves a variety of clients and patrons with differing needs. An online service runs in parallel to our daily phone and in-person sales hours, which are currently offered Tuesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 5pm on-site at Massey Theatre. Events and performances are typically in the evenings and on weekends. The team is expected to help cover the hours in the range of 15 plus hours per week per person. The work is fast-paced at times and quiet at others, leaving staff the ability to catch up on data management and other duties.
Members of the team should be familiar with performing arts as well as have an understanding of arts audiences and their information needs. They should know their way around the technologies required for ticketing and be comfortable with upholding policies. The team must be able to express what is happening and do so enthusiastically when dealing with the public. They will have an organized and solutions-oriented spirit as well as a compassionate and sociable nature.
There is opportunity to join the larger front-of-house staff group if more work hours are desired.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Ensures exemplary customer service is provided at all times by processing ticket orders to callers and in person visitors
- Identifies opportunities to improve services, make recommendations and implement necessary changes
- Resolves patron issues, answers questions and helps secure positive long-term relationships with patrons
- Maintains positive, open lines of communication with promoters/internal and external clients and staff with respect to ticketing issues
QUALIFICATIONS WE ARE HOPING TO FIND
- Knowledge of Theatre Manager software or equivalent ticketing system
- Experience in the arts or events industries
- Exceptional interpersonal, sales and customer service skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Conflict resolution abilities
- Ability to exercise confidentiality, discretion and judgement
- Must possess excellent computer hardware and software skills
- Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
- Ability to work flexible hours if necessary
- Willingness to help out with other duties during slow ticketing periods to support the overall goals of the organization
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This position typically operates in a sales office environment as well as in the lobby during some events.
- Hours of work: Part time / Casual minimum 15 hours per week
- Days of work: Typically Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5pm with added shifts based on a flexible schedule of performances
REMUNERATION
$22 per hour plus 4% vacation pay (starting wage)
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Eighth and Eight / Massey Theatre Society exists and operates on the unceded traditional territories of Hul’qumi’num speaking Coast Salish peoples of Qayqayt, Musqueam, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem and Katzie. We are committed to providing access to the space to those peoples and to contributing to their efforts toward cultural resurgence through our work. Consultation and direct employment of Indigenous people is a priority in these and other efforts. The Society is influenced by, and of service to, a broad range of communities, world views, ways of working and lived experiences. With conscious intention we are seeking a candidate whose identity may not have been equitably included in our organization, or the professional artistic sector historically. We encourage applicants to articulate their personal connections and perspectives, in relation to systemic barriers, so that we may advance creating a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants are required to submit a resume and a maximum one page letter expressing their interest. Candidates should describe their related skills, experience and special qualities and characteristics that will add to the our understanding of your qualifications. References may be submitted at the time of application, or it is acceptable that they be added upon request.
Executive and Programming Director, Jessica Schneider, will identify candidates to be interviewed. Only those being interviewed will be contacted.
The position will start as soon as possible.
Application Deadline: September 30 at midnight
Submit Applications via email to: jessica@masseytheatre.com
Read More → Job Posting: Front of House Staff Positions
Massey Theatre Society is a not-for-profit organization established in 1983 which operates a large arts facility and offers an array of artistic and community activities. With expansion, we are now working with of over 57,000 square feet of dynamic and creative space including the Massey Theatre, galleries, seven multipurpose studios including a small stage performance studio, music studio, art studio, dance studio and digital labs. The context serves to place artists in connection with community members at many stages in the creative process. Our programming direction is based on goals to create sustainable access and inclusion for all community members, with additional supports available for BIPOC, LGBTQ2+ and other underserved or marginalized communities.
The facility, referred to as Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces includes the 1,260-seat Massey Theatre that hosts dynamic and diverse entertainment performances. We are now accepting applications for ushers and concession staff to help deliver all of these public activities.
Description
The Front of House positions are paid casual positions that report to the Guest Services Coordinator. They are responsible for welcoming guests, contributing to the comfort and safety of the audience through ushering and/or concession duties and participation in implementing the safety plan should that be required. A minimum commitment to working available shifts is expected to continue to work. Shift times vary including weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Qualifications
As a Front of House staff member, you are the first person that the audience sees as they enter the theatre and the last person they see as they leave. Therefore, it is necessary that you have a personable nature, can make eye contact and speak to guests, have an excellent customer service skill set, and are willing in helping patrons in any way that you can.
Ushering:
- Scan tickets as guests enter the theatre.
- Provide a welcoming, upbeat presence for guests.
- Assist guests to their seats, if necessary, and answer any questions they may have about the event.
- Help to set up the lobby, such as setting up, and moving and removing tables and signage.
- Monitor the conduct of audience members in the theatre during performances.
- Assist guests with navigation of the facility, stowing any support equipment or providing information as requested.
- Tidy up the facilities, returning equipment and furniture to storage and collecting any lost items. Generally reset public areas to their pre-event state.
Concession Service:
- Provide welcoming, friendly service to guests.
- Make coffee and set up sales inventory in an attractive way.
- Make specialty coffees with espresso.
- Handle and reconcile cash and payment systems.
- Count, organize and stock concession inventory.
- Maintain a tidy and clean concession area at all times.
- Prepare work area for cleaning by bagging all garbage, rinsing coffee and cream pots, removing recyclables and food waste to the collection area.
- Wipe down counters, tables and cabinet door and any obvious spills or dirty equipment.
- Tidy up the area and reset to its pre-event state.
Requirements for all Front of House Positions
- Ushers are required to stay standing during their shift and be able to lift at least twenty-five pounds.
- Communications, dress and conduct standards must be maintained.
- Strong knowledge of theatre or event safety and operation procedures is required.
- Flexibility to stay longer after the performance or event is required as end times are not always predictable.
- FOODSAFE, Serving It Right and First Aid certificates are an asset.
Compensations
$17 to $19 per hour based on skills and experience.
Application Procedure
- Previous theatre ushering, concession services or front of house staff experience is an asset. However, we consider all submitted applications with various backgrounds, and qualified candidates will be contacted.
To apply, please submit your name and resume including your relevant skills and work experience via email to patrick@masseytheatre.com
Please indicate that you are applying for the FOH Staff positions. Attachments can be accepted in the word format. Deadline for application: February 5, 2023
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