John Thomas fondly recalls the days he took students to the newly reopened Perot Theatre.

A 32-year teacher at Texas High, Thomas taught drama until retiring 13 years ago.

“It got started when they refurbished the building. They had a daytime kid’s show and they were going to bus down all these school kids,” he said. He wanted his students to see live performances, and while at the Perot he learned of a need for ushers.

From then on, depending on the size of the show, he would bring a dozen to two dozen students on down to usher.

“The kids really got a lot out of it,” said Thomas. As he observes, most of them enjoyed the shows they got to see, and if they didn’t they would at least know why they didn’t like that particular show.

From his perspective it was good for teens to see some live theater by participating in the usher program, “especially the ones who are enrolled in drama,” he said.

And it’s a good way to learn how to get along with other people and learn problem-solving skills.

“It helped them accept responsibility,” said Thomas.

Debby Sutton, a theater teacher and Fine Arts Department chairman at Pleasant Grove High School, said it is a course requirement for introductory theater students to usher once a year for the course.

It also gives an inside dish on what goes on to create performances of the caliber that appear at the Perot.

“One, it’s a great community service project for us ... my kids also get to see a big Broadway show from the backside of it. They get to see what goes on behind the scenes,” said Sutton.

To that end, it gives great educational value.

“They learn that there’s a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes,” Sutton said, noting her students see theater is truly a working profession where many people play a role to make it all happen.

“Live theater is all about creating the magic,” she said.

Now, the Perot is seeking some new blood to usher during performances staged at the grand old jewel of downtown Texarkana. The job is work, but also has some pretty sweet perks.

Erin Mixon, a Liberty-Eylau High School student, maintains an interest in theater and said she loves ushering because of the friendly people and because the Perot is a “pretty neat place to go.” If not relaxing for a few moments or performing her ushering duties, she gets to take a peek at the show.

“The ushers are all different and it’s nice to get to know new people,” said Mixon, who tries to usher as often as she can.

Traci Waller, house manager at the Perot, heads the crew of ushers, directing and training them to know the in and outs and ropes of the house.

“Basically they come in about an hour-and-a-half before the show starts ... I kind of coach them individually on where they’re going to be standing. The doors open a half an hour before the show starts and they all have to be at positions,” Waller said.

There are plenty of duties for ushers, whether it is handing out programs, tearing tickets, or standing at the end of the aisles or in the balcony to assist people looking for a seat and making sure people don’t end up on the fire escape.

“After the show starts, they close all the curtains and the ones upstairs and downstairs stand in front of our exit doors so that people don’t get stuck on the fire escape and get scared and lonely and upset,” said Waller, noting those exit doors upstairs lock behind them. And it’s no fun trying to work the fire escape.

If seating issues arise, the ushers look at the tickets and try to solve the dilemma.

“People need to know where the bathrooms are and the water fountains and all that kind of stuff. That’s kind of the usher’s job, to direct them the right way,” said Waller.

Some of the more experienced ushers (called directors) stand up front and help direct traffic.

Ushers are paid $5 per show ($10 for a director). But they also get to see the performance for free.

“And after a show’s over, the ushers fling open all the exit doors,” said Waller.

Ushers scan the rows to pick up trash as well. They monitor people as they enter the theater, but later when the night’s over they’ve found soft drink cups, sandwich wrappers, programs and the like still scattered in the aisles.

Typically for big shows as many as 24 ushers work. A recent school band concert only necessitated six. Usually it’s 16 to 20 ushers needed for a show.

“I have a lot of school kids who do it because they get credit for their theater classes, it gives them something to do, they get to see shows for free, and they get to hang out with other high school kids, which they like. They kind of buddy up,” Waller said. “And I have a couple of retired adults who do it in their free time.”

So what are some qualities she likes to see in her ushers?

“I’m looking for somebody who can show up on time, who is interested in the arts and culture. That’s the big thing. If they want to see a show then they are more likely to show up on time and come,” Waller said, noting overall reliability for every single show is good to see.

Time commitment for the night can vary between three and four or five hours or so, depending on the show.

“It’s a great opportunity for groups like church groups,” Waller said. “It’s a good opportunity for groups or just for individuals. It’s a good way to get volunteer hours.”

The experience would also look good on a scholarship or college application, she suggested.

“I’m also really looking for some reliable adults to do it because a lot of theaters have an usher corps—groups of adults who can come reliably,” Waller said. She’d like to have ushers who would like to learn the lay of the theater and seek to help people.

“You meet a lot of interesting people down here standing out in front of the house. We have all kinds of people come through,” said Waller, noting it’s a good way to make connections and network.

Individuals or groups who would like to usher and want to learn about the theater can call Waller and schedule an individual or group training.

“I’ll show them the ropes and show them what it’s all about,” she said.