Resident House Manager - 2026/27 Season

About the Lantern
Founded in 1988 and embarking on its 33rd season in 2026/27, Lantern Theater Company produces plays that investigate and illuminate what is essential in the human spirit and the spirit of the times. We seek to be a vibrant, contributing member of our community, exposing audiences to great theater, inviting participation in dialogue and discussion, engaging audience members about artistic and social issues, and employing theatrical language and techniques to enrich learning in the classroom. At the core of our company is the belief that great plays, well performed, make a difference in the lives of the people who experience them. Learn more at www.lanterntheater.org.

Position Summary
Working closely with the Executive Director, General Manager, Patron Services Manager, Box Office Manager, and Stage Manager, the Resident House Manager is responsible for ensuring a clean, comfortable, and safe environment for all Lantern performances. Alongside volunteers and other front of house personnel, the Resident House Manager will ensure that performances run smoothly and efficiently, with a focus on delivering a consistently superior patron experience.

Work Schedule
The Resident House Manager works a full-time schedule beginning with final dress rehearsal through the closing performance of each production during the 2026/27 season. The Lantern generally has seven (7) regularly scheduled performances each week: Wednesday matinees and evenings, Thursday evenings, Friday evenings, Saturday matinees and evenings, and Sunday matinees, as well as a preview performance on Tuesday evening. The Resident House Manager will also work student matinee performances (approximately 9AM–1PM) as well as the Lantern’s Artists in Conversation post-show talkbacks, held on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons for the first two weeks of performances.

The Resident House Manager’s workday begins 90-120 minutes before each performance, and concludes upon confirmed departure of all patrons/colleagues from the building following each performance. Start and end times will vary depending on the day and the length of the performance.

The Resident House Manager must be available for potential extension weeks of any given production. The Resident House Manager will also be invited to the First Read and be compensated for this time if able to attend.

Essential Responsibilities

• House manage for all public and student matinee performances, coordinating with box office staff and volunteer ushers to facilitate the safe and timely seating of all patrons before, during, and after the performance
• Train and supervise volunteer ushers at each performance
• Respond to on-site patron inquiries including complaints, seating issues, ticketing issues, accessibility needs, late seating, medical emergencies, etc.
• Ensure clean and efficient work areas, including tidiness of the theater kitchen/supply storage area, the lobby, the public restrooms, the Ludlow Street sidewalk in front of the theater building, and other public spaces of the theater building before, during, and after performances
• Verify accurate ticket counts and proper cash handling of box office and concessions transactions for each performance
• Create and distribute House Management reports for every performance
• Be responsible for theater building security, including closing the building following performances
• Work with General Manager and Patron Services Manager to set up theater seating, ensuring that all chairs are clean, properly arranged, and correctly labeled with seat numbers
• Work with stage managers and administrative staff to direct patrons in the event of an emergency
• Create and maintain a supportive and professional working environment, and represent the Lantern in a professional, courteous, and friendly manner at all times
• Work with Patron Services Manager and Box Office Manager to ensure that VIPs receive appropriate seating and service
• Work with Executive Director and General Manager to develop the house management function as an effective tool for patron engagement and feedback
• Provide support for other company-wide efforts, including annual Season Kickoff, opening nights, special events, select mailings, preparing the performance space for first previews, etc.

Desired Experience
Successful candidates will have previous house management experience, a friendly and professional temperament, the ability to work collaboratively with others to successfully resolve problems and issues, strong communication skills, computer and internet proficiency, strong attention to detail, a can-do attitude, and a knowledge of and passion for theater. Experience with PatronManager is a plus.

This position begins in early September 2026 and runs through mid-June 2027 for approximately 20 performance weeks during the 2026/27 season. Evenings and weekends are required.

Compensation
During performance weeks, compensation for this position will be $745 per week (September–December 2026) and $770 per week (January–June 2027), as well as four complimentary tickets per production.