Front of House Crew – Illinois Shakespeare Festival 2025

Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Theatre, Dance, and Film

Job Summary

Illinois Shakespeare Festival is seeking to fill several part-time seasonal positions in the front-of-house operations for the Festival's 2025 season. Employment will run from approximately June 20 through August 4. Hours vary depending upon the position, typical hours will be approximately 6:00p.m. to 10:30p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays and 9:00am-12:00pm Thursday and Saturday. Must enjoy working outdoors in the summer!

Concessions Manager:
Mature individual with retail or restaurant experience who can assist patrons with retail transactions and supervise a small staff. Previous experience working in retail or restaurant management is preferred. Responsibilities include but are not limited to credit card and cash handling, point of sale reconciliations, inventory control, and light cleaning of the concessions area and Ewing Grounds. Works directly with Managing Director and Operations Manager.

House Manager:
Mature individual capable of solving seating problems and handling patron concerns. Previous experience managing the front-of-house for a theatre and supervising ushers is preferred. Light cleaning of the theatre area and Ewing grounds will be required. Works directly with Managing Director and Operations Manager.

Concessions Associate:
Polite and welcoming individuals who are naturally helpful and can assist patrons with retail transactions. Previous experience in cash and credit card handling is preferred. Responsibilities include but are not limited to credit card and cash handling, point of sale close out, inventory stocking, and light cleaning of the concessions area and Ewing Grounds. Must enjoy working outdoors in the summer!

Ushers:
Polite and welcoming individuals who are naturally helpful, calm, and observant of patron needs. Must be able to move up and down steps easily. Light cleaning of the theatre area and the Ewing grounds will be required. Must enjoy working outdoors in the summer!

Applications will be taken until all positions are filled.

Additional Information

IF YOU ARE AN ISU STUDENT (enrolled in at least 6 undergraduate or 5 graduate credit hours during the Spring 2025 semester): Please do not apply to this posting. You will need to apply to the student employment posting, located here: https://jobsearch.illinoisstate.edu/en-us/job/519805/front-of-house-crew-illinois-shakespeare-festival-2025-isu-students. 

The Illinois Shakespeare Festival is a professional repertory theatre company that produces Shakespeare and contemporary plays in the spirit of Shakespeare every summer at the beautiful Ewing Cultural Center in Bloomington, Illinois. The Festival hires professional Directors, Designers, Actors, and production personnel and offers a variety of internships to students from Illinois State University and other colleges and universities. The Festival sells an average of 11,000 tickets per year, is supported by Illinois State University and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival Society and is preparing for its 48th season.

Benefits include time away from work for eligible employees and the option to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

Concessions Manager: $17.00 per hour
House Manager: $16.00 per hour
Concessions Associate: $15.00 per hour
Usher: $15.00 per hour

Required Qualifications

See General Summary

Work Hours

TBD

Proposed Starting Date

June 2025

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Extra Help employees are only paid for hours worked and do not qualify for most benefits including health insurance and retirement, with Illinois State University. However, Extra Help employees are eligible to participate in the University’s supplemental retirement savings plans (403b). Applicable retirement information is provided at the time of hire. There is no guarantee that working as Extra Help will lead to or se