STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY

Part-time House Manager

Steppenwolf’s Audience Services team is seeking an attentive and engaging part-time House Manager to lead nightly front-of-house operations across our three-theater campus. The House Manager ensures seamless performance execution while maintaining rigorous safety and accessibility standards.

Understanding the Schedule: This is a variable part-time role tied directly to our production calendar. Additionally, this position is covered under the IATSE Local 750 Collective Bargaining Agreement

Due to schedules revolving around production runs, candidates should expect weekly hours to fluctuate:

• During Performance Runs: Expect a consistent schedule of 15-30 hours per week.
• Between Productions: There may be dark weeks with little to no scheduled hours between the closing of one show and the opening of the next.
• Requirements: Per the IATSE Local 750 Collective Bargaining Agreement, staff must maintain a minimum availability of three shifts per week, with a primary focus on evenings and weekends.

This position reports directly to the Front of House Supervisor.

Front-of-House Operations

• Serve as the primary onsite manager for all patron and staff issues while lobbies are open to patrons. Execute rapid, creative solutions for seating disputes, technical failures, and medical emergencies, ensuring minimal disruption to the performance timeline.
• Conduct the pre-show process by coordinating house counts, usher ticket pickups, and accessibility requirements. Maintain real-time communication with FOH, Food & Beverage, and Stage Management to synchronize lobby calls and curtain times
• Create a seamless experience for patrons with accessibility needs, managing the distribution and troubleshooting of assistive listening devices, and overseeing physical navigation throughout the campus.
• Onboard and supervise a nightly group of 2–10 volunteer ushers. Provide technical training on scanning systems and implement contingency plans for ticket verification during technology outages.
• Manage the physical environment of all three theater spaces, including the coordination of stuffing program inserts and ensuring the accuracy of all lobby signage, specifically when casting adjustments must be made.
• Complete comprehensive nightly house reports for senior leadership, documenting operational successes, conflicts and strategies for adjustment moving forward.

Onsite Staff Supervision and Union Compliance

• Supervises a part-time roster of 20+ Audience Services Front of House (FOH) Associates, who are also covered under the IATSE 750 Collective Bargaining Agreement, responsible for real-time delegation of duties and maintaining a balanced workload across the team.
• Act as the designated Steppenwolf representative for all performance-related front-of-house operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of staff performance and lead coaching interventions in coordination with the Front-of-House Supervisor, maintaining Steppenwolf’s high standard of service while ensuring workplace duties remain in full compliance with the union contract.