Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Ballet Master • Pointe Shoes • Choreography Notes

Front of House

Term from Ballet Production industry explained for recruiters

Front of House refers to all the public areas of a theater or performance venue that audience members can access before, during, and after a show. This includes the lobby, box office, seating areas, and customer service points. It's different from "backstage" or "back of house" which are areas reserved for performers and production staff. The term is important in ballet and theater productions because it represents the audience-facing side of operations that ensures smooth running of performances and excellent customer experience.

Examples in Resumes

Managed Front of House operations for major ballet productions with audiences of 2000+

Supervised FOH staff team of 15 ushers and customer service representatives

Coordinated Front-of-House activities during international dance festival

Typical job title: "Front of House Managers"

Also try searching for:

FOH Manager House Manager Venue Operations Manager Theater Operations Manager Audience Services Manager Front of House Coordinator Patron Services Manager

Where to Find Front of House Managers

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Online Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a situation where you're understaffed for a sold-out performance?

Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss prioritizing essential positions, having an emergency staff call list, cross-training existing staff, and maintaining core services while possibly adjusting secondary services.

Q: What strategies have you implemented to improve patron experience?

Expected Answer: Should discuss specific examples of programs or changes they've led, such as staff training initiatives, implementing new technologies for ticketing, or improving accessibility services.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you handle customer complaints during a performance?

Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to quiet conflict resolution, when to escalate issues, and how to maintain overall audience experience while dealing with individual concerns.

Q: What emergency procedures do you have experience with?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of evacuation procedures, medical emergencies, and communication protocols with different departments during various types of emergencies.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's your experience with managing volunteer ushers?

Expected Answer: Should be able to discuss basics of scheduling, training, and coordinating volunteer staff, ensuring they understand their duties and theater protocols.

Q: How do you prepare the front of house area before a performance?

Expected Answer: Should describe pre-show checklist including checking cleanliness, preparing programs, ensuring proper signage, and briefing staff on specific show requirements.