Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Your Seats, Sirs
Several theater companies in town have been known to request volunteers to
help seat theatergoers in exchange for the right to watch the show them-
selves, free. Pack black pants, shoes, and a white shirt—the usual usher's
uniform—in case you score. Another good place to check for appeals for ush-
ers is the Volunteers section on craigslist (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/vol).
Give American Conservatory Theater ( % 415/439-2349) 2 weeks'
notice and you stand a chance of being asked to help theatergoers to their
seats in ACT's historic house.
Call the Eureka Theatre ( % 415/255-8207; www.eurekatheater.org)
and ask which upcoming performances (a mixed slate of one-off produc-
tions by independent producers) require ushers. You may luck out and see
a free musical, although the house programs lots of concerts, too, which
won't need your services.
It's first-come, first-served at the Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Ave.,
at McAllister), one of the city's go-to houses for lectures, shows, concerts—
just about anything, every night. The only shows that are out are the SFJAZZ
concerts, which provide their own volunteer ushers through ( % 415/
398-5655, ext. 114). Present yourself at the door to the left of the box
office an hour and a half before showtime (wear black and white; men
should wear a black tie), and have a little flashlight with you.
Also The Marines Memorial Theatre ( % 415/441-7444) and The Post
Street Theatre ( % 415/321-2909) rent out their space to a wide variety
of companies for short-run performances, and their erratic schedules trans-
late into a need for temporary staff.
The Magic Theatre 5 (Fort Mason Center, Building D, 3rd Floor; % 415/441-
8822; www.magictheatre.org), which largely presents new works at its home in the
Marina's Fort Mason, does $10 tickets for students, seniors, teachers, and people
under 30 a half-hour before showtimes—otherwise, the first three categories get $5
off with ID. Wednesdays are “sliding scale” days in which early bookers can snare
tickets as low as $5 to $25, if they're quick. The company, which uses two intimate
houses, has been around since 1967, and Sam Shepard has been a longtime artist in
residence; his True West and Fool for Love both had their world premieres here, and
many of its other selections are equally strong.
Named for the mother of African-American drama, the Lorraine Hansberry
Theatre (620 Sutter St., at Mason; % 415/474-8800; www.lorrainehansberry
theatre.com) is true to its calling, producing major works by African-American
playwrights, from James Baldwin to August Wilson, along with some smart adap-
tations along black themes. The space is intimate, so no seat is a loser. Sunday
matinees are as inexpensive as $18 a seat, but Saturday nights can cost up to twice
that figure.
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