House Manager
Company: Dance Place
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 14, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Salary: $20/hour Dance Place is
hiring! We are seeking a dynamic, motivated, and talented
individual to join our team as the House Managerfor our nationally
recognized, cultural arts center in Washington, DC. Thison-call,
non-exempt position will bring support to our passion for building
a sustainable community of artists, audiences, and students through
high-quality performances, commissions, training, and educational
programs. This position offers growth potential for opportunities
to extend into Dance Place rentals within the Operations
Department. This is an onsite work opportunity with a pay rate of
$20.00/hour. Heralded as the hub of dance activity in Washington,
DC , Dance Place is an equal-opportunity employer and strongly
encourages qualified applicants from underrepresented communities
to apply. We believe that people of color, people in the LGBTQ
community, people with disabilities, and women must be centered in
the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage people with these
identities or who are members of other marginalized communities to
apply to our openings. Come enjoy an exciting and inclusive team
environment of movement artists who share a common goal of
strengthening the dance field by investing deeply in artists and
centering those who have been systemically excluded from such
opportunities. For more information on our amazing organization,
please visit our site athttps://www.danceplace.org. POSITION
OVERVIEW The House Manager ensures a seamless and positive
experience for audience & community members during performances and
events. This role involves overseeing front-of-house operations,
managing ushers and volunteers, resolving issues, and working
closely with the Production team to ensure each event runs
smoothly. The House Manager plays a key role in creating a
welcoming, organized, and safe environment for audiences and staff
alike. Ideally, the candidate will commit to the entire season
(February - August). ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND
RESPONSIBILITIES At a minimum, the House Managerrole will be
responsible for successfully carrying out the following essential
functions and duties: Front-of-House Operations Supervise all
front-of-house activities, ensuring that audience & community
members are greeted warmly and assisted as needed. Coordinate
seating, lobby management, and crowd control before, during, and
after performances. Oversee box office and concessions
coordination, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and timely service.
Staff & Volunteer Management Manage ushers, ticket takers, and
volunteers, providing direction and support throughout the event.
Train and brief ushers and volunteers on event details, and
customer service best practices. Ensure volunteers are aware of any
specific needs or requests for each performance, including
accessibility accommodations. Serve as the point person for ASL
Interpreters on Saturday performances. Customer Service & Problem
Solving Act as the main point of contact for audience & community
members' questions, concerns, or issues, resolving them promptly
and professionally. Handle late seating, ticketing issues, and
other audience & community member needs in coordination with the
box office team. Address any disruptive behavior or incidents
during performances with tact and discretion. Safety & Emergency
Management Ensure that all safety protocols, including fire exits,
are understood and followed by staff and audience & community
members. Act as the lead in case of emergencies, communicating with
the appropriate personnel and following evacuation or safety
procedures when needed. Monitor the venue for potential hazards and
ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Event
Coordination & Communication Collaborate with the Presentation team
to ensure all departments are aligned and working together
efficiently. Provide performance updates and post-show reports to
the Public Programming Producer. Facilitate communication between
front-of-house and backstage teams to ensure smooth transitions and
timing during events. *The list of functions is not all-inclusive,
as other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES
Education: High school diploma is required. Experience: Previous
experience in customer service, event management, or front-of-house
roles, ideally within a performing arts or theater setting. Minimum
of two years of experience is preferred. Other Necessary Skills and
Abilities: Strong leadership and team management skills, with
experience supervising staff or volunteers. Excellent communication
and problem-solving abilities, with a calm and professional
demeanor. Proficiency in Google Suite or similar office software.
Familiarity with crowd management and safety procedures; CPR/First
Aid certification is a plus. Ability to work in a fast-paced
environment, handle multiple tasks, and remain flexible. Evening
and weekend availability required for performances and events.
Computer/Technology Skills: Familiarity with PatronManager or
similar CRM systems is a plus. Google Suite (Google Docs, Google
Sheets, Gmail) or similar web applications for administrative
tasks. Physical Demands: This position requires the ability to sit
and stand for prolonged times; walk moderate distances; frequently
lift/carry up to 25 lbs.; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, or
crouch; frequently communicate verbally with others; view a
computer screen for prolonged periods; and repetitive motions with
wrists, hands, and fingers due to typing. WORK ENVIRONMENT Our
staff is diverse, small, lively, and highly collaborative. We have
frequent interactions with visiting teachers, artists, and students
of all ages. While some of Dance Place staff currently work a
hybrid schedule, splitting time between our main office in
Washington, DC, and remote work, the House Manager is an onsite
position. Due to the in-person aspects of the position, all
employees are required to adhere to Dance Places current COVID-19
policy.
Keywords: Dance Place, Washington DC , House Manager, Customer Service & Call Center , Washington, DC