House Open
House Open is a critical term in theater and live event management that refers to the time when the venue's doors are opened to allow audience members to enter and find their seats before a performance. This usually happens 30-60 minutes before show time. During this period, front-of-house staff and ushers assist guests, while stage management ensures the stage and performers are ready. It's similar to how restaurants have pre-opening preparations before welcoming customers - everything must be ready and safe when the audience arrives.
Examples in Resumes
Coordinated front-of-house staff during House Open periods for 200+ performances
Managed safety protocols and audience flow during House Open at major cultural venues
Supervised technical and safety checks before House Open for Broadway-style productions
Typical job title: "Stage Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Stage Managers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you handle emergency situations during House Open?
Expected Answer: A senior manager should discuss their emergency response protocols, staff coordination procedures, and experience handling various types of emergencies while maintaining audience calm and safety.
Q: What systems have you implemented to improve the House Open process?
Expected Answer: Should describe experience creating or improving procedures for audience entry, staff coordination, and problem-solving, with examples of successful implementation.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you coordinate between front-of-house and backstage during House Open?
Expected Answer: Should explain communication methods between teams, timing coordination, and problem-solving approaches when issues arise.
Q: What's your process for training new staff on House Open procedures?
Expected Answer: Should discuss training methods, key points covered, and how they ensure consistent service quality across different team members.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key responsibilities during House Open?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list basic duties like checking the house is clean, ensuring ushers are in position, and coordinating with box office staff.
Q: How do you prepare a venue for House Open?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic preparation steps including safety checks, cleaning verification, and ensuring programs and other materials are ready.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic venue safety procedures
- Audience service fundamentals
- Communication with ushers and staff
- Understanding of show timing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Staff supervision and training
- Emergency response management
- Multiple team coordination
- Crowd flow management
Senior (5+ years)
- Venue operations oversight
- Policy development and implementation
- Budget management
- Strategic planning and improvement
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of experience with emergency procedures
- Poor communication skills
- No understanding of accessibility requirements
- Unable to handle high-stress situations
- No experience with large audiences
