Announcement Archive

In order to make the North corridor more welcoming to patrons, two changes are being implemented starting April 5, 2025, the opening of Ballet Program 5.

1. Volunteer ushers will enter at the last door with the blue and white awning on the North side towards Franklin Street (two doors past the entrance for ticket holders.) See the OHUG website for a photo. Staff ushers will continue to use the Stage Door with their badge; those without their badge will sign in at the Stage Door (not use the volunteer door.)

2. Jamye asks all volunteers and staff to keep the North hallway clear and the seating available for patrons. Socializing should happen in the areas closed to patrons; the South hallway and the Orchestra auditorium (when class is not on stage) are options once you have stored your items in the usher closet.

News:

Jeff has retired. Vicki now will be greeting volunteers as they enter.

Reminders:

* All staff and volunteers are required to attend the House Manager's meeting at 1.5 hours before show-time, then attend their level-meeting immediately afterward.

* Arriving after these meetings and missing the safety briefing means not ushering that performance. These briefings are legally required for Ballet, Opera, and War Memorial to meet requirements of the State of California for the safety of the patrons in the Opera House.

* Except for emergencies, cell phones should not be used in the House or around patrons.

* Radios must be used with an earpiece when patrons are present.

* When you need to leave your position for any reason, you should try to tell your Head Usher or another usher.

(first posted 3/27/25)

SF OPERA FALL SEASON SIGNUPS (first posted 7/6/26)

On July 6, active volunteers were sent a message with the date that they may begin signing up for Fall Opera (Friday, July 10 for ushers who volunteered most frequently, especially for long runs. Signups start later for those who helped out less often.)

These messages sometimes go to a spam- or junk-mail folder; users may also view their signup date in PRESTOGEM by clicking on the Registration Info link when they are logged in.

STILL RELEVANT: IF YOU USE CERTAIN E-MAIL PROVIDERS (archived 6/23/26)

Because of the way that some e-mail providers deal with security concerns, in 2023 PRESTOGEM started to experience issues with getting e-mail delivered to certain e-mail addresses.

Initially this was for Hotmail, Outlook, and Live e-mail address, all part of Microsoft Network (MSN).

Over time icloud, me, ATT, pacbell, sbcglobal, and comcast addresses were similarly affected, and then those from ISPs that use Spamhaus as a filter.

Unfortunately, PRESTO's e-mail provider can no longer get e-mail delivered to these addresses, and you are missing notices.

Of course, you can remain informed by reading summaries of general notices here. But circumstances are such that you won't get personalized information from prestogem.com, such as reminders of your schedule or short-notice alerts, unless you provide an e-mail address that works for PRESTO.

What can you do? So far, there has been no issue with delivery to Yahoo or Gmail addresses. These providers can supply you with an address at no monetary cost. AND, if you wish, you can have your new account automatically forward your mail there from prestogem.com to your standard e-mail address.

Automatically forward Yahoo messages or Gmail messages to another e-mail account.

To have PRESTO continue to send you automatic messages related to your scheduling (such as schedule reminders or notices of open performances), you can change the e-mail address associated with your PRESTO account. This can be done by clicking on the place to update "Registration Info" in an active PRESTO window.

Apologies for this unavoidable inconvenience for some OHUG members.

(first posted 4/10/23, and revised 4/26/24, 11/27/24, 8/16/25, 1/5/2026.)

(situation was resolved and information posted 6/23/26)

SF OPERA SUMMER SEASON SIGNUPS (first posted 5/5/26)

Scheduling for the end of San Francisco Opera's 2025-26 season will open on Friday, May 8 for ushers who volunteered most frequently, especially for long runs. Signups start later for those who helped out less often.

On May 5, 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.

Users may also view their starting signup date in PRESTOGEM by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

(revised verson on 6/23/26 - removing a reminder of an e-mail issue--see "Still Relevant")

REMEMBERING ADELINE "ADE" KROLL (posted 3/2/26)

At the end of February, the Opera House learned of the passing of Ade Kroll on October 1, 2025. Born in Minnesota in 1939, she was a Franciscan Sister for 68 years, and a forever presence on the south side of the Balcony at the Opera House.

Sister Adeline Krole's religious journeys took her to many places, from Papua New Guinea to the Tenderloin District of San Francisco as part of Faithful Fools Street Ministry. She was also an opera lover. Those volunteering in the Balcony--or seated there--could hear Ade describe how, billions of years ago, Light opened up into into space and stars . . . and existence. And the stars were singing opera.

The sparkle of her smile was infectious, as was her humor. Ade, with all her enthusiasm, is more than missed.

An obituary for Ade is here.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 1/5/26)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2026 repertory season opened on Friday, January 2.

On December 30, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. To volunteers who did not see the e-mail in their Inbox:

If a Gmail or a Yahoo address is associated with your PRESTO account, look for it in Spam or All Mail
If using another address, login into PRESTO and look at Registration Info for your start date. More information is at "STILL RELEVANT".

NUTCRACKER AND SHEN YUN SCHEDULING (posted 11/11/25)

Nutcracker (December 5-28, thirty-six performances) and Shen Yun (December 31 - January 4, four performances) return to the Opera House.

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on November 10. 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 at "STILL RELEVANT".

REMEMBERING VIRGINIA "GINNY" JUHNKE (posted 11/8/25)

With sorrow, OHUG has learned of the death of Ginny Juhnke on October 5. A long-time resident of San Francisco, Ginny had barely turned 76 at the time of her passing. She was a volunteer usher with OHUG for over 15 years.

Ginny was a soft-spoken, patient, kind-hearted person with an adventurous streak. Her love for travel and the arts brought out the happy free spirit that helped defined her. And she possessed an uncanny ability to connect with just about anyone--a gift that radiated here at the Opera House.

REMEMBERING CHIP HEATH (first posted 10/6/25)

Chip Heath died unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, following the last performances of Rigoletto and Dead Man Walking, having worked much of that run. News of his passing reached the House Manager only after the start of the break in performances that ends later this month. Chip was 61.

Frequently at the doors to the Opera House when he wasn't a Head Usher (especially in The Boxes) or over at the Taube Atrium Theater, Chip will be remember for his tartan kilt, precise grooming, and indifference to sweets. For all of his nearly 10 years of ushering, Chip was keenly committed to helping audience members at both opera and ballet performances. And his knowledge of both art forms and the their histories--most especially of singers and singing--was amazing.

The Opera House will be dimmer for the loss of Chip's bright-and-tight smile and wit.

Juliette Le Blanc, Executive Producer at San Francisco Ballet, has written:

"Chip was a cherished colleague known for his kindness, humor, and care that he brought to every interaction. His presence enriched the experience of our audiences and colleagues alike, and he will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him."

An obituary is here. On Saturday, November 8 at 11am there was a requiem Mass at the Church of the Advent of Christ the King, 261 Fell Street, San Francisco (a few blocks south of the Opera House).

Unfortunately there are expenses related to finalizing Chip’s affairs in California, Washington DC, and New York. So a friend has established a GoFundMe site. This is one way for those who miss Chip to help out at this time.

(expanded 10/10 and 10/12/25; revised 11/11/25)

FALL OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 7/1/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2025 Fall season will open on Friday, July 4, for ushers who volunteer most frequently, including for long runs.

On July 1, active volunteers with a PRESTO-compliant email address were sent a message with their start date. These messages sometimes go to a spam- or junk-mail folder; ushers can view their start date in their Registration Info form in PRESTO. The scheduling program is still unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information is below--see "STILL RELEVANT".

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 5/9/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2025 summer season opened on Friday, May 9 for ushers who volunteered most frequently, especially for long runs. Signups start later for those who helped out less often.

On May 6, 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. Please note that PRESTO continues to be unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information is below, see "STILL RELEVANT".

Users may view their starting signup date in PRESTOGEM by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

CHANGES, NEWS, AND REMINDERS (first posted 3/27?25)

For the full text of this posting, please see the version archived 11/11/26.

REMEMBERING ELAINE YEE (posted 3/21/25)

(corrected 3/27)

Long-time usher and Dragon Boat wizard Elaine Yee died on Sunday, March 9. Evelyn Martinez, fellow-worker with Elaine at the Opera House and elsewhere, offers this tribute.

For Elaine

you were indestructible

endlessly capable of bouncing back

had me convinced, sort of

but you died

mid heart surgery

a vulnerable age

still,

Does Not Compute

dear Elaine

wherever the afterlife takes you

may it be

a place without racists

where everyone heeds your word

may you have an ace Dragon Boat team to lead

and the best Personal Trainer death can buy

may you finally be

Eternally Invincible

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 1/10/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2025 repertory season opened on Friday, January 10.

On January 7, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. These messages sometimes go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. And the scheduling program continues to be unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. [more informatioin on the issue with e-mail is/was posted on the Home page.]

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!

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

REMEMBERING ELLEN CHAMPLIN (posted 10/8/24)

Some corners of the Opera House will be darker: Ellen Campbell Champlin has died at the age of 88. With a wide and memorable smile (and a wink-of-the-eye sense of humor), Ellen illuminated whenever she volunteered, which she did often, usually on the Orchestra level. She will be seriously missed by guests at the Opera House and her fellow ushers.

A short obituary is here.

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.

REMEMBERING BOB NELSON (posted 3/9/24)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Bob Nelson, a steadfast OHUG volunteer on the Orchestra level. He passed on March 3, before the last regular performance of Swan Lake.

Bob recorded over 50 years of volunteering at the Opera House. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016, but continued to usher through SF Opera’s June/July season in 2023.

"To Bob, the Opera House is home away from home, and fellow ushers family."

REMEMBERING SANDRA HOLLOWAY (posted 3/4/24)

The Opera House learned late last week of the passing of long-time usher Sandra Holloway in late December, one day after she turned 81. Her volunteer efforts here reflected her vibrant commitment to the arts, especially to SF Ballet and the Opera. Sandra was an admirable observer of the needs of audience members (and fellow ushers) especially if she could provide a smile or some remark about the performance at hand.

Sandra's obituary is here.

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.

REMEMBERING CLAIRE HUNTER (posted 11/28/23)

Born in Scotland (and fierce in her pride for her native land), Claire Hunter started ushering at the Opera House in her part-time retirement (as she sometimes phrased it). She ushered frequently, but wasn't with us nearly long endough.

Claire brought a unique perspective to the artistry she got to see on the stage and hear from the pit. And she charmed everyone with whom she could share her reactions, audience-members and fellow-ushers alike.

Claire died on November 9 from pancreatic cancer, at the age of 66. Her obituary is here.

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.

STILL RELEVANT: IF YOU USE CERTAIN E-MAIL PROVIDERS (first posted 4/10/23)

This posting was about delivery issues with OHUG e-mail sent through PRESTO.

It underwent revisions and additions for about 3 years (4/26/24, 11/27/24, 8/16/25, 1/5/2026).

The situation was resolved and information posted 6/23/26. The last revision (pre-solution) was archived here on June 23, 2026.

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.

REMEMBERING DOLLY TURNBLAD (posted 12/17/22)

Long-time usher Dolly Turnblad died in her Union Street home on November 1. Vibrantly interested in the performing arts, besides ushering at the Opera House, she was a regular presence at diverse music and dance events around the Bay Area. She clearly enjoyed sharing her experiences with fellow volunteers, staff, and many audience members she had come to know.

Dolly's obituary was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle, and is available online here.

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.

REMEMBERING JIM McCARTHY (posted 6/27/22)

Over the weekend the sad news came that Jim McCarthy had died on Sunday, June 19. An obituary, written by his brother Charles, is available here. Besides his work for SF Ballet and Opera (usually in the Orchestra), he also proudly volunteered for the San Francisco SPCA.

Jim's presence, his keenness to see that audience members under his care were enjoying themselves, and his dry sense of humor will be intensely missed. He started ushering for the Ballet at the beginning of 2014. But Jim was such a dedicated OHUG member that it seemed as if his time at the Opera House was much more extended.

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.)

NUTCRACKER IS OVER BUT MORE DANCING IS YET TO COME! (posted 1/1/22)

We ended an unusual year at the Opera House with this final briefing (and snow!) before the last performance of 2021. Shen Yun lies ahead of us, as well as Helgi Tomasson's last season as Artistic Director.

With a BIG THANK-YOU to all OHUG volunteers comes the wish for a great 2022, filled with many enjoyable and rewarding moments in the Opera House! Please stay healthy, engaged, and join in the excitement of live performances.

(Click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right and see a 2021 holiday photo.)

OLDER OHUG ANNOUNCEMENTS

To access 2020-21 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2018-19 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2016-17 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2014-15 announcements, please click HERE.

To access pre-2014 announcements, please click HERE.

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