Opera House Ushers Group

You have reached space on the Internet devoted to the volunteer ushers at San Francisco's War Memorial Opera House. OHUG was established to

• inform prospective volunteers about the ushering program

• disseminate information to current volunteers.

Interested in ushering?  Do you sometimes wonder how the ushers at the Opera House got the opportunity to volunteer?

There is a long history of volunteers assisting at and, in return, seeing SF Ballet and SF Opera performances.  And new ushers are more than welcome.  Please e-mail Sharon to help carry on the tradition!

NUTCRACKER  AND  SHEN YUN SCHEDULING   (posted 11/10/26)

Nutcracker  (December 4-27, thirty-six performances) and Shen Yun (December 30 - January 3, four performances) return to the Opera House. 

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on November 9.  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 are asked to look outside their Inbox, before requesting another copy.  

GOOD NEWS:  E-MAIL ISSUE RESOLVED   (posted 6/23/26)

For ushers whose preferred e-mail provider (such as hotmail or icloud)  blocked reminders and notices sent through PRESTO:  the scheduling program  now has a new e-mail service-provider and the delivery rate has greatly improved.

Users whose messages are missing their Inbox are encouraged to whitelist "Ushers@sfopera.com" until their account recognizes the address.

(updated 6/29, small change in language).     

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

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

FOR YOUR SAFETY   (first posted 11/14/15)

As the last audience members and OHUG volunteers were leaving Don Giovanni on June 26, 2022, there was an unconfirmed report of a shooting at the Pride/City Hall celebration.  The Opera House briefly went into lock-down, and the party across the street came to an abrupt end. 

This near-miss "situation" reminds us all that we need to be prepared for disruptive events.  All ushers are still urged to view, or view again, at least one of the following videos.

Surviving an Active Shooter

Run. Hide. Fight.

Both cover much of the same ground. The first is almost 10 minutes long, and contains scenes of a very violent nature; the second video is 6 minutes long.

Also, while volunteering: if you see any thing, or activity, that is suspicious or seems out-of-place, please say something to your head usher or any staff member nearby.    

(revised 2/22/16, 10/3/17, 11/10/17, 3/10/18, 6/27/22)

NEW TIP CARD AVAILABLE   (posted 10/4/21)

A revised pocket-sized tip card, including some hints that may help answer guests' questions, has been available here since the end of September.  It integrates the modified floor plan in place since the seat update that concluded this summer.  If you find it useful and print it out, it may be good practice to also check the Changes page in the Ushers' Toolkit.  

USHERING ELSEWHERE   (latest version 1/1/22)

Please also note that we have standing invitations to help out by ushering for organizations such as SF Playhouse,  the Lark Theater in Larkspur, New Century Chamber Orchestra, and the SF Bach Choir.  For details, click here.

WHAT IS PERMITTED IN THE THEATER?   (first posted 3/9/18)

The San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center has a web page that outlines what is permitted and prohibited in the different venues, and that includes the Opera House of course. Click here for those lists.

Bags, parcels, backpacks or luggage larger than 15" x 18" are among those items not permitted into the theater. These can be left at the complimentary coat-check in the north and south lobbies off the main lobby.  (Currently, only North Coat Check is in operation.  10/4/21)

And again: if you see anything suspicious or seems out-of-place while volunteering, please remember to say something to your head usher or any staff member nearby.

Thank you!   (revised 7/10/18, 7/10/19, 10/4/21)

USHERS & STAGE HANDS IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINE   (first posted 3/22/22)

IATSE, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, which  represents stagehands, box office staff, and ushers at the Opera House, made a $25k grant to assist in humanitarian relief for Ukraine and refugees fleeing the war when Russia invaded more of Ukraine in February, 2022 .  

If you are interested in supporting the needs of those still inside Ukraine and the refugees who have and had to flee, Charity Navigator has produced a list of highly-rated nonprofits engaged in relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding region. 

Note: Information posted here earlier on the response of opera and ballet companies to the invasion of Ukraine is now gathered on its own page.

(revised 10/5/25)