Announcement Archive

OHUG announcements are archived here, most recent first.

{For a bulletin board with other announcements and offers made to members of OHUG, please click HERE.}

NUTCRACKER  WILL OPEN THE BALLET SEASON   (posted  12/6/24)

On Thursday, December 5,  San Francisco Ballet announced that the Ballet, the Dancer Bargaining Committee, and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)--which represents the dancers and stage managers of SF Ballet--have reached a tentative two-year agreement.  This enables the company to raise the Nutcracker curtain on December 6, the opening night of SF Ballet’s 2024-25 season.  (The agreement is subject to ratification.)

For more details, please see the press release.  

NUTCRACKER  AND  SHEN YUN  SCHEDULING    (posted 11/28/24)

Nutcracker  (December 6-29, thirty-seven performances) and Shen Yun (January 4-7, four performances) return to the Opera House. 

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on November 6.  Please consider being a part of the magic: sign up for Nutcracker!  

These messages often go to Spam/Junk folders. Recent volunteers who missed the mailing, and use an acceptable address* for their PRESTO account, are asked to look outside their Inbox, before requesting another copy.  

* Our scheduling program cannot send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail)  or  Apple addresses.  More information is below--see "STILL RELEVANT".

SF OPERA FALL SEASON SIGNUPS    (posted 7/14/24)

On July 9, active volunteers with a PRESTO-usable email address were sent a message with their starting date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.  Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through.  Users may view their starting date in PRESTO by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS    (posted 5/1/24)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2024 summer season opened on Friday, April 26.

On April 24, active volunteers with a PRESTO-usable email address were sent a message with their starting date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.  Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through.  Users may view their starting date in PRESTO by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS    (posted 12/27/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2024 season will open on Friday, December 29.

On December 26, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.  Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through.

NUTCRACKER  AND  SHEN YUN  SCHEDULING   (posted 11/2/23)

Nutcracker (December 13-31) and Shen Yun (January 4-7, four performances) return to the Opera House. 

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on October 31.  Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered this Fall are asked to look for it in any Spam/Junk folder before asking for another copy.   Volunteers using Hotmail--or related Microsoft products such as MSN--should read the post "DO YOU USE A MSN E-MAIL ADDRESS?"

Please consider being a part of the magic: sign up for Nutcracker!  

BACKSTAGE TOURS   (posted 8/18/23)

Jamye is grateful to everyone who has helped make the Opera House an open and welcoming place for all of our patrons. A backstage tour is being offered to volunteers who ushered at least twenty shifts in the past twelve months. On August 14 these ushers were notified by email that they may sign up in PRESTO Group & Event Manager.

SCHEDULING FOR FALL OPERA   (posted 7/4/23)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager opens on July 7 for ushers who volunteered most frequently in the past calendar year. Those who ushered during that time have been sent the date when they may begin scheduling. And those who ushered at least 20 shifts have been given a little more information about the backstage tours.

Volunteers using Hotmail--or related products such as MSN--should read the post "DO YOU USE A MSN E-MAIL ADDRESS? below, added  April 23.

Other news:

• The Dress Code has been updated.  Click here.  

• This Summer the Opera offered post-performance escorted walks to BART and two garages: https://www.sfopera.com/visit/directions-and-parking

• Entering your shifts into your calendar can be easy with Subscribe via URL Use this URL:  https://prestogem.com/vo/sfopera/signups/exc/653

More info is here: https://prestogem.com/vo/sfopera/groups/h_pers#cal

Note that deleting a shift from your calendar does not cancel your shift in PRESTO. 

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS  (posted 4/27/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2023 summer season will open on Friday, May 5.

On May 2, active volunteers will be sent a message with their start date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.  Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through. 

This message will also say:

 a) whether you have already volunteered for enough performances to qualify for a backstage tour invitation;  or

 b) how many more shifts you need to qualify.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS  (posted 1/7/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2023 repertory season opened on January 2.

On December 28, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date.  (These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.) 

Volunteers who cancel a Shen Yun commitment without adding another will have their Ballet season signups reviewed.

NUTCRACKER  AND  SHEN YUN ARE BACK  +  COVID-19 PROTOCOLS REMOVED   (posted 11/1/22)

Nutcracker (December 8-27) and Shen Yun (January 4-8) return to the Opera House. 

Information about scheduling was sent by e-mail on November 1. Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered this Fall are asked to look for it in any Spam/Junk folder before asking for another copy.  

Please be aware that SF Ballet has told ticket buyers that it will not require audience members to wear masks while in the Opera House or to provide proof of COVID-negative tests, vaccinations, and/or boosters.  This is in line with the latest position of the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, which allows licensees to create their own rules (or make no rule).  

SCHEDULING FOR FALL OPERA   (posted 7/7/22)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager opens on July 8 for ushers who volunteered most frequently in the past calendar year. Those who helped out during that time have been sent the date when they may begin scheduling. 

Please think about ushering for more than one performance of the traditional favorites, Eugene Onegin and La Traviata, and the world premiere, Antony and Cleopatra. Ballet fans please note: those are the operas where we anticipate we will need your help the most.

New volunteers are welcome to start during San Francisco Opera's Centennial season, which offers some special programs and provides an opportunity to find out if ushering at the Opera House works for you.  Who knows?  If it does, we hope to see you for the Ballet, too! Send e-mail for details.

SCHEDULING FOR JUNE & JULY   (posted 5/18/22)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager remains open for volunteering at SF Opera performances of both Don Giovanni and Dream of the Red Chamber.  Please think about ushering for more than one performance of each, if you haven't already: audiences could use your help.

If you are not already an OHUG volunteer, please consider becoming one.  Summer Opera provides a great opportunity to find out if the tradition of volunteer ushering at the Opera House works for you.  Who knows?  If it does, you may end up scheduling yourself for SF Opera's historic 100th season in the Fall!   Send e-mail for details. 

UPDATES!  (posted 1/4/22)

Announced January 4:  in an abundance of caution, the SF Ballet 2022 Season Gala has been postponed from Thursday, January 27, 2022, to Thursday, March 24, 2022.  Please check back here--or at the SF Ballet website--for 2022 Season updates in these challenging times.

Started during 2021 Nutcracker:  NO DRINKING IN THE THEATER.  

Audience members (and us) are asked to  remain  masked at all times while inside the auditorium.  (First posted 1/1/22.)

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS   (posted 12/26/21)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2022 Repertory Season will open on January 7. On the Tuesday before (January 4), volunteers ushering in 2021 or for Shen Yun will be sent a message with their start date. (Note: these messages often go to Spam.) Volunteers who have not ushered at the Opera House in the last six months will be able to begin scheduling on January 16.   

Volunteers who cancel a Shun Yun commitment without adding another will have their Ballet season signups reviewed.   (revised 1/4/21)

NUTCRACKER  IS BACK!  SO TOO IS  SHEN YUN   (posted 11/4/21)

Nutcracker (December 10-30) and Shen Yun (January 2-7) are returning to audiences at the Opera House.  Can normalcy be around the corner?    [Editorial Note: It wasn't.]

Information about scheduling was sent by e-mail on November 4. Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered this Fall are asked to look for it in any Spam/Junk folder before requesting another copy.  

USHERING ELSEWHERE  (latest version 10/4/21)

Since 2014, OHUG members have been invited by other venues to come and usher beyond the Opera House.

On July 16, 2021, we posted a request from House Manager Dan Priven-Troncoso of the SF Bach Choir, looking for volunteer ushers for upcoming concerts, particularly the Candlelight Christmas concert on Saturday, December 4. Want more information? Go to sfbach.org, or e-mail Dan Priven-Troncoso.

On September 24, 2021, we also posted that the New Century Chamber Orchestra is actively looking for volunteer ushers on a ongoing basis. If you are interested, please submit the form available here. 

Please also note that we still have standing invitations to help out at the Lark Theater in Larkspur and SF Playhouse. For details about these, click here.

REOPENING! RESET!  CONTINUES . . .   - posted 9/12/2021

Scheduling for Fidelio and Cosi fan tutte begins on Wednesday, September 15.   E-mail notification has been sent. Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered recently are asked to look for it in their Spam/Junk folder.

Ushers with a break in service can e-mail <ushers@sfopera.com> to find out about returning to the Opera House.

The message included information about guest ushering and the training videos.  In E-mail on August 20, Jamye first asked volunteers to join with the staff in watching these videos, as we are able.

What is Cultural Humility?

Implicit Bias Unwrapped

Implicit Bias: Peanut Butter, Jelly and Racism   (Link repaired 9/17)

Microaggressions Explained

Calming & De-escalation Strategies

Building Awareness in the Workplace

Cultural Competence

Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Video

4 Steps for Busting Unconscious Bias

Cognitive Biases Explained - How to Think Better and More Logically Removing Bias

What You Need to Know About Microaggressions - Trans Women & Non-Binary POC

Conflict De-Escalation Techniques

NEW LOOK FOR THE OHUG WEBSITE  (first posted 9/7/21)

Welcome to the new OHUG web site created to fulfill Google directives.  All of the information from the former pages should be here.  The design is different, and may make using the pages easier on mobile devices. 

The navigation information that was in a column on the left now appears at the top (and probably continues on your Internet device with a "More" on the right) or is available through the 3-bars on the top left of the screen when accessing OHUG  on cell phones.  

Please e-mail any questions or suggestions for improvement.   Thanks!

REOPENING! RESET! - posted 7/1/2021

Jamye is looking forward to seeing people back at the Opera House and on July 1 sent an e-mail message describing anticipated changes. Ushers are asked to search their spam folder before requesting another copy. Her message refers to "tiers", which are explained under "Scheduling" on the General Information page.

Performances of Tosca await!  "Vissi d'arte . . ." 

A DIVILA DISPATCH IN THE TIME OF CORONA - posted 3/3/2021

As you know, things are slowly changing: SF Opera is resuming a level of live performance (in Marin) and the city is loosening the restrictions on gatherings.  Dare we hope that more theater is going to be possible this year?The new seats for the Orchestra and Grand Tier were delivered on March 1.  And of course I got photos.  

I am sharing some here so you can be part of the excitement over that. I do miss you all as I sit in San Francisco Ballet’s offices, taking the temperatures of the dancers as they try to keep in shape for the future seasons.  And I sincerely hope that you are staying safe and doing well.      -  Jamye

SPRING OPERA 2021 - first posted 2/13/2021

Live opera is coming back!  On Tuesday, February 16, SF Opera announced that live performances will resume from April 23 to May 15 in San Rafael. These will have drive-in audiences packing (hopefully) the Fairgrounds at Marin Center. The Lagoon area nearby will also allow ticket-holders in their cars to experience the performances live via simulcast on a drive-in-movie screen.

In total, there will be 11 performances of an English, abridged version of The Barber of Seville and 3 concerts with the 2021 Adler Fellows. The western world's most famous musical prequel will feature Lucas Meachum as the wily barber, Daniela Mack and Laura Krumm as Rosina, and Alek Shrader as Count Almaviva. (Mack and Schrader are married in real life, butterflies and former Adlers.)

In case you are wondering, it is an open question as to whether there will be OHUG volunteer-ushering opportunities for these performances.  And it may not be until September that we will be seeing each other again in the Opera House, if then. So please continue to stay tuned here.

(revised 2/17)

NUTCRACKER  AND THE 2021 BALLET SEASON - posted 10/28/20

On Tuesday, October 27, Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson announced plans for an up-coming streaming of Nutcraker and an all-digital 2021 Season.

With the continuing health pandemic placing restrictions on large public, in-person gatherings, Tomasson and his SF Ballet team have reimagined a streamed season that will include

  -  three mixed programs, each with one world premiere by either Cathy Marston, Danielle Rowe, or Myles Thatcher;

  -  George Balanchine’s Jewels with a newly filmed version of “Emeralds”   (April 1 - 21)

  -  and three full-evening, story ballets:

        1) George Balanchine’s  A Midsummer Night’s Dream;

        2) Helgi Tomasson’s  Romeo & Juliet  (May 6–May 26);

        3) and a new digitally-conceived film version of  Swan Lake  (May 20 - June 9)

FROM JAMYE: NUTCRACKER  & NEWS - first posted August 25, 2020

It’s official: San Francisco Ballet has cancelled the live Nutcracker this year.  The  announcement was made on Monday, August 24, and asks patrons for suggestions on ways to connect over the holidays.  [There was a survey on the webpage, and in social media outlets.] Please join in the conversations if you want. Let me know if you have any questions.

The exciting news is the War Memorial will be replacing the seats during this time and we should have new seats in the Orchestra and Grand Tier / Dress Circle when we do come back. I’m hoping all of our backsides will be grateful for the change.

Update (9/17): Seat replacement is starting, and will be completed by January 2021. Accessible seating in the left and right Orchestra sections will also be added, and an adjustment made to the current seat layout, creating more stagger rows on the main floor to enhance sightlines, with new pathway lighting improving access and excess. For details (and a new seat map), click HERE.

A NEW  [VIRTUAL]  CHAT FEATURE - first posted June 25, 2020

Today, Jamye e-mailed all OHUG volunteers. Among other things, she announces a new way for ushers to communicate with each other through ESP (an Essential Services Project--see below). If you can't find Jamye’s message, by all means send e-mail to <ushers@sfopera.com>, but please check your spam/junk mail folder first.

To read or use the new ESP feature, please click on the "Visit User Forum" link, at the top of your PRESTO page after you sign in

To see messages, choose "A Month Ago" from the "Ones Since:" dropdown menu

To read a message, click on the subject

To reply to a message: click on the "Create Reply" button

To post:

    -  click on the "Create Topic" button

    -  this is important: on the "Share With" dropdown, choose "Your Group" *

    -  enter your subject and message

    -  when done, click the "Create" button

*  This gets the posting to Opera House ushers; “All Groups” gets posts to, well, everyone including folks at other venues and techies interested in PRESTO issues.

(revised 6/9/21)       

FALL 2020 OPERA SEASON - posted June 17, 2020

On June 16, with heavy hearts, the Opera announced the cancellation of the entire 2020 Fall Season. For the full announcement, please look HERE.

SUMMER 2020 OPERA SEASON - posted April 14, 2020

On April 14, with heavy hearts, the Opera announced the cancellation of the Summer 2020 Season.

For more information, please click here. To those of you who offered rolls of tolilet paper on April 1 for use in the Partenope production, thank you. Sadly, there is no need for them now.

COVID-19 AND THE SUMMER OPERA SEASON - posted April 1, 2020

While the 2020 Bayreuth Festival has been suspended until 2021, there is still nothing to report as to whether San Francisco Opera will be able to proceed with its season in June and July. However, even if the current shelter-in-place directive is relaxed in May, a major issue is now affecting one of the operas in the repertory.

In act 2 of this summer's revival of San Francisco's production of Handel's Partenope, the character Emilio (scheduled to be sung again by Alek Shrader) is imprisoned in a bathroom. When he is freed, he emerges mummified in toilet paper, to great effect.

But (and this is a big but), due to COVID-19 concerns, many residents of the Bay Area have stocked up on toilet paper and market shelves are bare. So the Costume Department is having incredible difficulty in procuring a sufficient supply of toilet paper to cover the rehearsals and the 5 performances.

Before a final decision is made as to whether this means having to cancel all performances of Partenope (and thereby losing a third of the summer Season), the Opera would like to learn if volunteers and staff can fill the toilet paper gap. If you are able to spare any at all, please let us know that, and the approximate number of rolls (single- or double-ply, makes no difference).

Handel, SF Opera, and Alek Shrader, will be very grateful.

ALL PERFORMANCES CANCELLED - first posted March 7, 2020

On March 17, San Francisco Ballet San suspended all remaining performances of the 2020 Season.

In compliance with a March 6 order from San Francisco's Mayor London Breed, all performances of San Francisco Ballet's A Midsummer Night's Dream from Saturday, March 7 through Sunday, March 15 will not be taking place. In fact, all performances at the War Memorial Performing Arts Center are now on hold until March 21 due to concerns over Coronavirus. For the full text of the announcement made by SF Ballet, please click here.

E-mail notification started going out overnight March 6-7. Please check back soon: we may have more information for you.

(updated 3/14, 3/17)

CORONAVIRUS DISEASE E-MAIL - posted March 6, 2020

Jamye sent out an important e-mailing on March 4, with a link to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention factsheet on COVID-19. If you don't see it in your Inbox or any junk-mail folder, please e-mail ushers@sfopera.com and request that another copy be sent.

AN USHER GETS A NATIONAL HONOR - posted January 24, 2020

On January 25, at the American Library Association annual meeting (this year in Philadelphia), volunteer usher Janet Tom, a reference librarian at SF Public Library, was awarded the I Love My Librarian Award. Janet is one of only 10 librarians in the country to receive this national honor.

Carnegie Corporation of New York sponsors this award, with The New York Public Library and the New York Times as co-sponsors.

BACKSTAGE AT NUTCRACKER - posted January 24, 2020

In case you were wondering, Nancy Carlson won the lottery to see Nutcracker from backstage the next time SF Ballet has public performances  [the next time that COVID-19 restrictions allow it].

OPERA HOUSE SEAT UPGRADE - posted January 16, 2020

On January 15, the San Francisco Ballet and Opera jointly announced details of the next War Memorial Opera House seat upgrade.

In the summer of 2013, the Box seats were upgraded, followed by the Balcony and Balcony Circle seats in the summer of 2015. The upgrade in the Orchestra, Grand Tier, and Dress Circle sections will take place between May and August of 2021. Both SF Opera and SF Ballet will be adjusting their seasons in 2021 to accommodate this.

SF Ballet is in discussions with BroadwaySF about presenting the last two programs of the 2021 Season at the Orpheum Theatre. The full 2021 Season will be announced this April. SF Opera will present a shortened spring (instead of summer) season in the Opera House from April 27 to May 16, 2021. The full 2020–21 Opera Season will be announced on January 22.

SF Ballet has a detailed FAQ page on its website.

COLD WEATHER ADVISORY - posted December 27, 2019

This is more of a request, actually: if you have a black coat hanging unused in the closet (or otherwise in storage), please consider bringing it in to hang, as a loaner, in the usher closet off the north lobby. It will be gratefully worn. Thanks!

BALLET SEASON 2020 - first posted December 22, 2019

On December 26, invitations will be e-mailed about scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2020 Repertory Season. Scheduling for Easter Sunday, Goldman Environmental Awards, and Presidio Dance Theater will occur later.

The start-dates given in these messages are spread (the earliest being December 27) and reflect a volunteer's frequency, reliability, and versatility. If you can't find your message, please send e-mail to ; check your spam/junk mail folder first.

Scheduling depends on ushers fulfilling their commitments. Volunteers who cancel a Nutcracker or Shun Yun performance without adding another (even if they still usher for five) will have their Ballet season signups reviewed.

2019-20 HOLIDAY SCHEDULING - first posted October 10, 2019

Invitations to signup for SF Ballet's 75th Anniversary Nutcracker and Shen Yun will be sent on November 4. Scheduling start-dates will be staggered, the earliest being November 8. These dates are based on a volunteer's frequency (especially for long runs) of ushering, versatility, and reliability.

Because of dedicated participation by volunteer ushers at Nutcracker and Shen Yun performances last December and January, front-of-house volunteers, as well as staff, were able to effectively make everyone's job easier as well as assist more patrons, some of whom rarely come to the Opera House.

While the standard scheduling expectation continues to be 4 Nutcrackers and 1 Shen Yun, this year volunteers may once again choose a combination of any 5 performances (or more . . . ) that suits them.

2019 FALL OPERA SEASON - first posted June 26, 2019

Scheduling for the Merola Grand Finale (on Saturday, August 17) and the Fall Opera Season will open on July 5.

Messages with an usher's start date will be sent on July 3. Start dates reflect a volunteer's frequency (especially for long runs), reliability, and versatility.

Fall Opera won't be the same without you!

ETHNIC DANCE FESTIVAL - posted May 7, 2019

Please note that the Ethnic Dance Festival's projected use of the Opera House this July has been cancelled. It will not be open for scheduling in PRESTO.

SF BALLET ANNOUNCEMENT - posted April 1, 2019

This morning the San Francisco Ballet, in what it labels "A Prelude to a Season at the Opera House", revealed some preliminary plans for next season. 2020 Hindsight will include several revivals, including William Forsythe’s "The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude" (1998) and Helgi Tomasson’s "Prism" (2001).

The major new work will be a 4-hour ballet based on the writings of Stieg Larsson, and premiere exactly a year from today. "The Girl with the Dragon Tutu" will be choreographed by Gun Lund to the music of Erkki-Sven Tüür. The company may lure Maria Olegovna Kochetkova back to dance in this new ballet as a guest artist.

Due to the length of "The Girl with the Dragon Tutu", the Volunteer Usher Dress Code will be relaxed: the requirement to have a working pen or pencil will be waived for all evening performances, when anyone may also wear grey socks.

NAME CHANGE DOWNSTAIRS AT THE CAFE - posted March 31, 2019

"Cafe at the Opera" has changed her name to "Prelude at the Opera House", due to confusion with other local restaurants. Please take note of this when guests ask you for directions or dining options within the building.

SUMMER OPERA - first posted March 20, 2019

Scheduling for SF Opera's 2019 Summer Season opened on April 12. Messages with an usher's start date were sent on April 10. Start dates reflect a volunteer's frequency (especially for long runs), reliability, and versatility.

If you can't find your scheduling message, please send e-mail to <ushers@sfopera.com>; check your spam/junk mail folder first.

(This is the 5/27 update.)

BALLET SEASON 2019 - first posted December 25, 2018

On December 31, invitations were e-mailed about scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2019 Repertory Season. After a year's break, Sensorium, an evening of dance, art, and music, returns. Scheduling for Easter Sunday, Goldman Environmental Awards, and Presidio Dance Theater will occur later.

The start-dates given in these messages are spread, the earliest being January 4, and reflect a volunteer's frequency, reliability, and versatility. If you can't find your message, please send e-mail to <ushers@sfopera.com>; check your spam/junk mail folder first.

Scheduling depends on ushers fulfilling their commitments. Volunteers who cancel a Nutcracker or Shun Yun performance without adding another (even if they still usher for four) will have their Ballet season signups reviewed.

(This is the 12/31/18 update.)

DECEMBER SCHEDULING - first posted October 9, 2018

On October 29, invitations to signup for Nutcracker performances (and other events in December and early January) were sent. Scheduling start-dates will be staggered, the earliest being November 2. These dates are based on a volunteer's frequency (especially for long runs) of ushering, versatility, and reliability. Ushers who did not receive a message, after checking their spam folder, may ask for it by e-mailing <ushers@sfopera.com>.

Now that Shen Yun and Ethnic Dance Festival have taken residence at the Opera House, ushers are asked to join in welcoming the companies and their audiences by volunteering for at least one performance during each company's visit. While the standard will be 4 Nutcrackers and 1 Shen Yun performance, this year volunteers may choose any combination of 5 performances.

On their Nutcracker start-date, volunteers may also begin scheduling Cash & Cooder on Cash: The Music of Johnny Cash (December 5 and 6) and the Adler Fellows Concert (December 8), and Shen Yun (December 31 - January 6).

(updated 10/29)

PLACIDO DOMINGO CONCERT - first posted August 3, 2018

On August 1, a message with the following information was sent to ushers on the roster or the waiting list for the Placido Domingo concert.

The concert is sold out for this special event. Today ten more ushers were added to the roster to help in the lobbies. Listening/Viewing options when not in an on-duty chair watching an aisle will be:

- wall aisle stairs in the Balcony and Dress Circle

- back of standing room areas

- live stream on monitors.

Everyone is needed to monitor for safety at the end of the evening and for goodbyes. Ushers who cannot stay after the performance are asked to cancel their request or signup. The waiting list will be re-opened only if it looks like more volunteers will be needed than are waiting.

(This is the update of August 13.)

2018 FALL OPERA SEASON - posted June 28, 2018

Scheduling for the Merola Grand Finale (on Saturday, August 18) and the Fall Opera Season will open on July 6. Messages with an usher's start date will be sent on July 2. Start dates reflect a volunteer's frequency (especially for long runs), reliability, and versatility.

40th SAN FRANCISCO ETHNIC DANCE FESTIVAL - posted June 1, 2018

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival returns to the Opera House this July. There are two weekends of performances, and scheduling is now open through PRESTO Group & Event Manager for July 14-15 and July 21-22.

This is the largest and most comprehensive world-dance and world-music event of its kind in the United States. Audiences will experience dances and music from Alaska, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Congo, Cuba, India, Korea, Liberia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Spain, Tahiti, the continental US, and Zimbabwe, presented by Bay Area artists sustaining the world’s artistic legacy.

Click HERE for more information, including about the free Festival opening at City Hall on Friday, July 6.

A FAQ FOR RING USHERING - posted May 4, 2018

Questions submitted by ushers have been collated and answered. Please go to this new page. E-mail with this information has been sent to all ushers already scheduled for Ring performances.

WHAT IS PERMITTED IN THE THEATER? - posted March 9, 2018

The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center has a web page which outlines what is permitted and prohibited in their venues, and that includes the Opera House of course. Click HERE for those lists. Volunteer ushers are asked to review this information.

There may more than the usual amount of large bags and luggage during the upcoming Ring, especially on Sundays, the last day of all the cycles. So please note the prohibition on all items (bags, parcels, backpacks, and luggage) larger than 15 inches by 18 inches. These need to be left with the complimentary coat check service in the north and south lobbies on the Orchestra level. Patrons may be asked to open their large bags for inspection.

As part of all this, please remember to always say something to your head usher or any staff member nearby if you see any thing or activity that is suspicious or seems out-of-place. Thank you!

EVENTS IN APRIL - posted March 9, 2018

At the same time that they can begin scheduling for Wagner’s Ring, volunteers may also sign up for these extra events in April:

• • Reality SF’s Easter celebration: Sunday, April 1 - 8:45am report time

  • Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony: Monday, April 23 - 3:30pm report time

  • Presidio Dance Theatre's Children's Day: Monday, April 30 - 9:00am and 10:30am report times

SCHEDULING FOR WAGNER'S RING - first posted March 2, 2018

Requests submitted before March 28 have been processed. Ushers are now welcome to volunteer for any open slots, with no restriction on the number of performances being selected or requested.

Invitations to schedule for the Ring were sent on March 12. Ushers who can’t find their messages (after checking any spam/junk-mail folders) should send e-mail to <ushers@sfopera.com>.

For more information (and a calendar of performances), click HERE.

(updated 3/12, 3/28, and 3/29)

MORE HELP NEEDED FOR THE SLEEPING BEAUTY - posted January 26, 2018

More volunteers are needed for this long run—11 performances plus 2 student matinées, with many new audience members.

On January 26, a reminder was sent to ushers not signed up for any shift: every usher is expected to volunteer during long runs when possible. And if volunteers who have already signed up for a performance could add another, that would be wonderful! Many thanks to everyone extending themselves right now.

OLDER ANNOUNCEMENTS

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To access pre-2014 announcements, please click HERE.