Double Edition 2011
AT &T
P E R F O R M I N G
A R T S
C E N T E R
VOLUNTEERS
The Ghost Light Guiding your way Through the Center
Front & Center Welcome to our double edition of Ghost Light. We have so much to announce in our upcoming policy and procedures “refresher” training in August and September. For one, you set the bar so high, we’re now at a point where we will interview any new usher candidiates to join our elite team. In addition, we are becoming a very tech-savvy group with all of our information and qualifications processes defaulting to myVolunteerPage.com. We have also developed additional tiers (Tier 6-10) for those of you now reaching Tier 5 status - congratulations. More points, more rewards - including the potential to have lunch with our new president & CEO. We are proud to be producing custom program training for our team. This year we will be developing a structured Ambassador program that will involve more of a hospitality/concierge direction that requires certification prior to signing up. We are creating new opportunities for advancement for staff with the Patron Assistance Team focusing on premium service for our ADA/Special Needs patrons. And, training more of our team members to become Trained Crowd Managers (TCM). For example, our house managers: Josh Storts and Robert McDowell are completing a three-year certification program on TCM safety for our venue. Our goal is that all of our house managers will be trained at this level of safety in the next five years. We will continue to develop methods of recognition like our Team Excellence Award (TEA) to thank you for a job well done. We realize that you create the world of hospitality for The Center, and we are a great success because of your efforts. With that said, if you have any questions or suggestions for our team, please email me at kelly.mccracken@attpac.org.
Alfreda Rollins, Volunteer Coordinator
All the best, Kelly McCracken Patron Services Manager
Save The Date
Years of Service: 2 years
August 2011
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Sunset Screenings
8.20
Usher Recertification Training
8.23-8.25
Favorite Broadway show: Spring Awakening Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving, because it’s a time to reflect on the things that we are most grateful especially family. Hobbies: Cooking, sewing, designing costumes, recruiting for ATTPAC Volunteers and volunteering Alfreda Rollins has been involved in performing arts and non-profit organizations for over 35 years. She has been an active ATTPAC volunteer, docent and supervisor prior to her current position as volunteer coordinator. An avid philanthropist, she gives much of her time to Big Thought, Booker T. Washington/Dance and Music Guild, Healthy Start at Parkland Hospital, Head Start of Greater Dallas and Dallas Public Libraries to mention a few. She is a graduate of Bishop College in Dallas, Texas with a BS in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. She is passionate about giving back to her community and her family. She is most proud of being a Mom to the greatest kids in the world - Angelica, Christopher and Calvin Andre.
8:30 pm*
Exit Through The Gift Shop
ASAS
12:00 pm & 6:30 pm* Mandatory Retraining
Winspear
Docent Final Selection Meeting 9.1
11:00 am*
Conference Room 3
Winspear
Titas
9.1
8:00 pm*
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Winspear
Patio Sessions
9.1, 9.8, 9.15, 9.22, 9.29 5:30 pm*
TBD
Winspear
Usher Recertification Training
9.6-9.8
The Tempest
9.9-10.9
September 2011
10:00 am, 12:00, 6:00 pm* Mandatory Retraining
Winspear
2:00, 7:30, 8:00 pm*
Wyly
Patron Assistance Team Training 9.10
9:00 am*
Onsite training program
Hamon Hall
Titas
9.10
8:00 pm*
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Winspear
Bon Iver
9.12
8:00 pm*
Winspear
Titas
9.13
8:00 pm*
Winspear
Explosions In The Sky
9.16
8:00 pm*
ASAS
Sunset Screening
9.24
7:30 pm*
Waiting for Guffman
ASAS
Hair
9.26-10.2
8:00 pm*
Broadway
Winspear
Patio Sessions
10.6, 10.13, 10.20, 10.27 5:30 pm*
TBD
Winspear
The Tempest
9.9-10.9
2:00, 7:30, 8:00 pm*
Wyly
To Kill a Mockingbird
10.20-10-31
10:00 am, 2:00, 7:30, 8:00 pm*
Winspear
Hair
10.26-10.2
8:00 pm*
Winspear
Lucia di Lammermoor
10.21-10.29
7:30 am*
Winspear
TDO: Student Performance
10.31
10:30 am*
Winspear
Los Lobos
October 2011
*please confirm all data/start times
• Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House • Dee & Charles Wyly Theater • Annette Strauss Artist’s Square • • Elaine D. & Charles A. Sammons Park •
Volunteer Spotlight
S
Volunteers of the Month: Thank you 4th Quarter 2010 and 1st and 2nd Quarter winners for all your hard work and dedication to the Center. We commend you for going above and beyond to serve our patrons. John Anthony Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 2 Motivation: Serving and educating people in the arts Favorite Broadway Show: Camelot and The Sound of Music Hobbies: art craft of work work and writing poems Favorite Song: Lift Every Voice Favorite Quote: “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future and accepts you as your are today.”
Julie Blackwell Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 1.5
Susan Hoey Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 2 Motivation: My parents met doing theater. I love the atmosphere and seeing shows for free. Hobbies: Part-time flute player and full-time advertising copywriter Favorite Broadway Show: Any Stephen Sondheim and Cabaret by Dallas Theater Center Favorite Quote: “Humor is reason gone mad.” Groucho Marx Van & Linda Miller Ushers, Tier 3 & Tier 4 Years of Service: 2
Motivation: Supporting the arts Favorite Concert: Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers at Gruene Hall Favorite Show: Big River Favorite Quote: “The rebel soul is its own reward.” Hobbies: Kitting, painting, reading, blogging Memorable Experience: Dropping off my niece at Texas State her freshman year - Go Bobcats!
Motivation: Van says, I get to wear a handsome vest. Hobbies:Teaching Neuroscience at UT Dallas, bike riding, swimming, reading ancient history and poetry Favorite Broadway Show: Les Miserables Memorable Experience: The birth of our identical twin daughters Kristina and Kalyn, the joy sof our life. Van notes the Vince Young touchdown winning the 2006 National Championship for UT a close second.
Kim Bowdry Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 2
Mark Morgan Usher, Tier 3 Years of Service: 1.6
Motivation: Meet other people who enjoy the theater and seeing a WIDE variety of shows Hobbies: Reading, watching television Favorite Broadway Show: In the Heights and The Sound of Music Favorite Quote: “Stay cool, Boy.” - West Side Story Favorite Holiday: Christmas - it’s a great time to interact with a lot of people
Motivation: Supporting the arts community and meeting new people Hobbies: Travel, photography, classical music, singing Favorite Broadway Show: Wicked and Ragtime Favorite Quote: “Wicked men obey out of fear; good men, out of love.” - Aristotle Memorable Experience: London for the first time stepping into history at every turn
Kim Garoon Usher, Tier 2 Years of Service: 5 months
Rebecca White Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 1.5
Motivation: I grew up performing. Volunteering allows me to give back to the “theater family.” Hobbies: Rangers baseball, Kickball, Reading, Movies, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program Favorite Broadway Show: Arcadia, Ragtime, The Secret Garden, Book of Mormon - a soft spot for Cats. Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving. I look forward to having my family together.
Motivation: Love of the performing arts Favorite Holiday: Halloween! I love to dress up. Favorite Broadway Show: Les Miserables and The Secret Garden Favorite Quote: “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” - Sunset Boulevard Memorable Experience: I spent 5 months in London for a summer internship in 2005 - it changed my life.
Robert Hall Usher, Tier 4 Years of Service: 1.2
The Volunteers of the Month receive an official ATTPAC vest as a gift for their contributions to The Center. They are all now in contention for the Volunteer of the Year award selected in December. Keep up the good work!
Motivation: Originally, to see DTC productions - I really enjoy meeting patrons at the Winspear and Wyly. Hobbies: More theater and reality TV Favorite Broadway Show: Les Miserables, Spring Awakening, West Side Story and Gypsy. Favorite Holiday: Easter Memorable Experience: Celebrating my 50th birthday on a cruise from Sydney to Auckland
4th Quarter 2010 Kim Bowdry Susan Hoey Linda & Van Miller
2nd Quarter 2011 John Anthony Kim Garoon Julie Blackwell
1st Quarter 2011 Robert Hall Mark Morgan Rebecca White
The Ghost Light: A guiding light left burning overnight on stage to keep friendly spirits illuminated and unfriendly spirits at bay.
House News Poetry in Motion: Swincher Moving on Down the Road As hard as it was, we said goodbye to Preston Swincher, House Manger in April. We wish him well as he starts his dream of being a public speaker for The Center for Generational Kinetics in Austin, Texas. He is a graduate of TCU in Fort Worth, Texas with a BBA in Entrepreneurial Management and a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance. His experience in the arts has led him to acting, slam poetry competitions, writing screenplays, directing and recently public speaking. No matter what the arts experience, he’s happiest when he’s near the stage. I asked him to give me a few poetic words on his experience, and I couldn’t resist sharing it with you: He’s stowed away on board cruise ships, fought ghosts in northern Denmark, and ciphered with poets from all over the world. He cooks a mean pot pie, rides a bicycle older than he is, has battled prairie dogs in the wild west, and never drinks a bad beer. His capture the flag team never loses. He tears tickets ten at a time. If quidditch was real, he’d be a Chudley Cannon. He doesn’t hesitate in the face of anger, confiscates cameras with impunity, and can hear a cell phone vibrating from twenty rows away. He may be late to work, but he’s on time for the show. Most importantly: he’s proud to have been a house manager at the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
ATTPAC Ushers Look Good in Uniform New Outfit for Outdoor Events Uniforms create a sense of unity, confidence and expertise at The Center. We have two distinct looks on our team. We’re featuring the Annette Strauss Artist Square uniform (Khaki pants, cropped pants or long shorts with an orange polo and comfortable black, brown or white shoes/sneakers). Please look at a few examples of staff clothing selections when working outdoors. As always, safety first and let us know if you have any questions.
Did You Know? myVolunteerPage.com Website Tips We receive a number of questions per day regarding our Front of House volunteer and staff policies and procedures. Our goal is provide as much information as possible for your personal success as a volunteer and staff member of this organization. Why is it important to update my profile and check my qualifications regularly? Tier status in your qualifications alerts the system to let you know of certain tasks and events that are available to you on the myVolunteerPage.com website. It allows us to qualify events with training and point status. It also allows our team to send messages and alerts to certain tier status of upcoming events, noteworthy information and training.
Shown above are the approved outdoor accessories for Annette Strauss Artists Square. You may purchase caps/ visors ($10) or the approved MagLite Solitaire flashlight ($4) from house managers.
You must confirm your Tier status standing prior to Signing-Up for events online as the process is managed by tier status. Tier 5 volunteers are allowed to choose their events on the first day they are posted and Tier 4 on the second day then Tier 3 on the third day and Tier 2 and 1 on the fourth day from the original post date. On the fourth day all are welcome to select additional events to usher. How do I sign up for events on the Volunteer website? Here are the steps to Sign-Up for the events that you would like to volunteer or work for throughout the month. • Log on to myVolunteerPage.com • Click on the Sign-Up tab • Review the scheduled events and locate how many positions are open (the letter “S” shows the number of positions available) • Click on the event you want • You will then be on the official Sign-Up page • Locate the shift you Signed Up for underneath the “Filter Shifts” button • Click on the “Sign-Up” box to secure this event • Click on the “Save” button to save your request • Click on the “Confirm” link and a Confirm Assignment box will appear • Click on “Confirm” • You will then see that your selected event is officially “Confirmed” • To make one final check, please click on the “Assignments” tab and confirm the shift you just Signed Up for is listed and confirmed on this page • Logout How to remove a scheduled event on the Volunteer website: • • • • • •
Log on to myVolunteerPage.com Click on the Sign-Up tab Review your scheduled events to find the event you want to cancel To “Remove” yourself from this event, please click on “Remove,” a pop up box will appear then click on “Remove” to confirm that change. As a final check, please filter through your scheduled events to confirm this event is no longer showing on your schedule. Logout
Fun Fact: We select 12 Volunteers of the Month and one becomes the Volunteer of the Year
House News TEA Time The Team Excellence Award (TEA) has been in place for a year now. TEA winners are selected monthly by written nomination from FOH staff, peers and management for delivering excellent patron service in the work environment. One winner is randomly selected from the box of nominations and then announced. We are so proud of you and hope that this recognition goes a long way to reward you for your accomplishments at The Center. Winners collected everything from gift cards and Dallas Stars tickets to IHOP coupons and other fun stuff valued at $25. We appreciate you! Thanks. Here is a list of the winners: Angelica Rollins - September 2010 Stacey Simmons - October 2010 LaMar Brown - November 2010 Kristina Miller - December 2010 Julie Thomas - January 2011 Angela Moten - February 2011
Kay Stephenson - March 2011 John Anthony - April 2011 Robert Hall - May 2011 Ardith Spies - June 2011 Prize winners: Kristina Miller shows off her IHOP coupons while Robert Hall plans to visit Starbucks for some fun.
We wanted to share a few of the TEA nomination remarks. Great teamwork! Amy Barnard - 1 of 4 people to stuff over 10 boxes of programs in an hour’s time with 3 stuffers. Rock of Ages (From: LaMar Brown)
Lisa Martin - As a new usher she acted and performed as a seasoned veteran, being pro-active in her service to patrons and inquiring about situations before they occurred. - Young Frankenstein (From: Val Jones)
Julie Blackwell - took the initiative to stop photography during the show, in a quick and efficient manner. - Rock of Ages (From: Val Jones)
Linda Miller - We were short on staff and Linda was the ticket taker, elevator operator, greeter, etc. She was amazing giving service with a smile and laughter. - Dallas Black Dance (From: Alfreda Rollins)
Rick & Christine Borgers - Studied before their shift so they could inform everyone about The Winspear. - Earth Day (From: Melanie Hill)
Mary Nelson - Excellent management of our VIP seating in the West Tower! Awesome work! - Henry IV (From: Yvonne Anguiano)
Donna Cekal - Pro-active in approaching patrons and diplomatically asking them to return to their proper seats after intermission. - Young Frankenstein (From: Sonya Spencer)
Susan Selena - Very clear and concise information reported to supervisor about special needs! - Jazz Roots The Blues (From: Kelly McCracken)
Vincent DeLuna - Assisted with late seating of more than 30 patrons! - Blueman Group (From: Andrea Burnett)
Kay Stephenson - Managed the Grand Tier house left single-handedly. It was very busy and she kept moving everyone very efficiently. Did it all with a smile and positive attitude! Great volunteer! - Rigoletto (From: Lucy Rochetti)
Sharon Dorsey - Moving from orchestra to mezzanine to help with overflow seating of a very large crowd with cameras. - Debbie Allen Imagination (From: Sue Brown) Susan Hoey - Being an excellent usher and pitching above and beyond expectations. Thanks! Henry IV (From: Sonya Spencer)
Perry Thompson - Special needs greeter for Billy Elliot matinee. Worked his butt off with many, many wheelchairs and walkers in the house. - Billy Elliot (From: Robert McDowell) Joan Weltman - Went to the Winspear twice from the Wyly. - Kelly & Bruce Willis (From: Josh Storts)
News From the Grand Tier Cat People - Congratulations to La Mar Brown (Mr. Mistoffelees) and Calvin Rollins II (Quaxo) for their role in Garland Summer Musical’s production of CATS an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. What a spectacular performance and career accomplishment. We’ll all say, “we knew you when... “ Docent Training - Congratulations to all who completed docent training this Summer. We will welcome the new docents September 1st, after the final selection meeting. Please contact charles. moore@attpac.org for more information or questions about the docent program. Patron Assistance Team Training - Become a member of the Patron Assistance Team. If you have one year of service, and are a PSR/Supervisor, please sign up on Volunteer2 to attend the pre-certification training on September 10 at 9:00am in Hamon Hall. There will be a 30-day training period for the applicants prior to the final selection of the team members. Contact Yvonne Anguiano (yvonne.anguiano@attpac.org) with questions. Need a Badge? - If you are a Tier 2 and need a new or replacement badge, please contact Robert McDowell at robert.mcdowell@attpac.org to place your request. New PSRs - Congratulations to our new PSR team members: Courtney Christine, Tova Kline, Todd Owen, Mike Raboy, Chris Rollins, Dennis Scheer, Perry Thompson, Callie Weller New Supervisors - Congratulations go out to our new supervisors: La Mar Brown, Sue Brown, Val Jones, Linda Moten and Susan Selena. We’re so proud! Update your Tiers - Please keep track of your points and update your Volunteer2 profiles when it’s time to change your Tier status. It is important so that you can receive your rewards in a timely manner.
ATTPAC Volunteers and Staffers share some smiles with our camera both on and off duty. We appreciate all your hard work.
Share your news with the group at yvonne.anguiano@attpac.org. In the subject line write “News from the Grand Tier.”
Fun Fact: AT&T Volunteers contributed over 25,800+ hours of volunteer time in the season