AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CTR is hiring: Audience Services Manager in Staunton

Reports to: Director of Marketing & Development
Pay Rate: $40,000 annually at 40 hours per week
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Staunton, Virginia (on-site)

Who We Are

The American Shakespeare Center (ASC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Staunton, Virginia, home to the world’s first recreation of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Playhouse. We produce world-class performances, deliver dynamic education programs, and foster an inclusive community through audience-focused storytelling.

About the Position — What You’ll Manage

You’ll manage the daily front-of-house experience at the Blackfriars Playhouse: box office operations, Front of House (FOH) staffing, bar/concessions, and the Playhouse gift shop. You’ll ensure accessibility, excellent customer service, and smooth, on-time performances. You’ll also support rentals and cultivation nights in coordination with the Playhouse Patron Loyalty Manager.

Core Responsibilities

Box Office Operations

• Oversee day-to-day ticketing and patron service.
• Process sales, answer inquiries, and maintain PatronManager records.
• Communicate show changes, cancellations, and Playhouse policies.
• Maintain ticket scanners, payment terminals, and hearing devices; order supplies.
• Send a weekly sales & attendance summary (tickets sold, attendance, comps, vouchers/coupons).

Front of House & Staffing

• Hire, train, schedule, and supervise FOH staff (ushers, bartenders, box office associates).
• Lead FOH meetings; resolve shift issues; verify timesheets.
• Serve as House Manager for performances, including student matinees.
• Maintain first-aid kits; coordinate lobby/backstage tidiness with Production/Company Management.
• Complete incident/accident reports and escalate as needed.

Bar & Concessions

• Oversee concessions and bar operations; train bartenders.
• Order bar stock and supplies; maintain Virginia ABC compliance in daily operations.
• Provide backup bartending support during pre-show/intermission when needed.
• Reconcile end-of-night bar reports (cash/credit) per ASC SOP.
• Manage the Playhouse gift shop: purchasing, pricing, inventory, displays.
• Collaborate with the PL Team on new merchandise and promotions.
• Maintain vendor relationships; oversee online store and shipping as needed.
• Produce monthly sales/inventory reports.

On-Site Event Execution

• Execute FOH staffing, bar, and lobby setup for Bard & Bites, Shakespeare Uncorked, rentals, and cultivation/community events in coordination with the Playhouse Patron Loyalty Manager.
• Ensure ADA accessibility (seating, assistive devices, paths of travel).
• Prepare and submit daily deposits for tickets, bar, and gift shop to Finance per ASC SOP; reconcile cash/credit drawers, maintain deposit logs, and complete bank drops.

Reporting & Admin

• Submit monthly rollups for box office, bar, and gift shop.
• Track tips and key partner invoices/trades (e.g., Frederick House, Blackburn Inn).
• Monitor and respond to shared inboxes as assigned (e.g., tickets@, info@).
• Flexibility: Schedule flexes with the production calendar to maintain 40 hours
• Typical Pattern: Wednesday–Sunday, with hours varying between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.

Sample Schedule (illustrative only; subject to change depending on the show season):

• Thursday: 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Friday: 1:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
• Sunday: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Box Office Coverage: Public hours are Wednesday–Friday, 1:00–5:00 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Holidays: Must be available to work major holidays and peak performance dates, including (but not limited to) Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve. Alternate days off are provided.

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years in customer service or front-of-house operations.
• Experience supervising, training, and scheduling part-time staff.
• Strong organizational skills; clear, friendly patron communication.
• Availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and student matinees.

Preferred

• Comfort with ticketing systems (PatronManager preferred) and retail operations.
• Theatre/performing arts FOH experience.
• Knowledge of bar service and Virginia ABC compliance.
• Subsidized health insurance; paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave).
• Optional vision, dental, and life insurance.
• Complimentary ASC performance tickets.

How to Apply

Send your resume and a brief cover letter to stephanie.cabacoy@americanshakespearecenter.com with the subject line: Audience Services Manager Application. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until filled. For priority consideration, please apply by October 3, 2025.