JOB PACK FRONT OF HOUSE HOST - Chichester Festival Theatre
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FRONT OF HOUSE HOST JOB PACK
ABOUT US
‘THE COUNTRY’S MOST
HIGH-FLYING REGIONAL
THEATRE’
The I Newspaper
Oklahoma! (2019) Photo by Johan Persson
Chichester Festival Theatre is renowned presenting high-class touring productions,
for the exceptionally high standard of its as well as a traditional Christmas show
productions as well as its work with the mounted by the acclaimed Chichester
community and young people. Festival Youth Theatre.
Our main house Festival Theatre produces Inclusivity is at the heart of our work and
ambitious epic dramas and world-renowned we welcome all to enjoy and participate
musicals; our smaller Minerva Theatre is in a variety of theatre experiences, firmly
particularly noted for its bold, provocative established at the heart of our local
new writing alongside more intimate community whilst growing our reputation
revivals. nationally and internationally.
The annual Festival season runs from April Our Learning, Education and Participation
to November, during which productions (LEAP) programme is a beacon of excellence
originated at Chichester reach an audience and inspiration to its local audience, as well
of over 230,000. Year-round programming as being home to one of the country’s largest
continues through the winter with the Theatre youth theatres with over 750 members.
OUR STORY When Chichester Festival Theatre opened
in 1962, it was Britain’s first modern
thrust stage theatre. Between 1962-65,
under its first artistic director Laurence
Olivier, CFT provided the nucleus
for the newly established National
Theatre company.
nationally and internationally, from musicals
to significant new plays and classic revivals.
Recent London and West End transfers from
Chichester include the musical Caroline,
Or Change, with Sharon D. Clarke recreating
her Olivier Award-winning performance as
Caroline; Ian McKellen in King Lear, which
A major project to restore and upgrade its was broadcast to cinemas internationally
Grade II* listed building was completed in by NT Live; James Graham’s new play Quiz;
2014, and the Theatre now proudly matches and Laura Wade’s new play The Watsons,
its world-class artistic reputation with world- adapted from the unfinished novel by
class facilities and spaces. Jane Austen.
Over the past five decades, myriad A temporary third venue, The Spiegeltent,
productions originated at Chichester – complemented the Festival 2019 season,
whether in the 1,300-seat Festival Theatre with a rich and diverse programme of
or the 300-seat Minerva Theatre – have alternative events and performances.
transferred to the West End or toured
‘CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE
HOSTS WORLD-CLASS
PERFORMANCES, BRINGING SOME
OF THE TOP SHOWS ON TOUR AND
CURATING ITS OWN EXCITING
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS’
Metro
Fiddler On The Roof (2017) Photo by Johan Persson
OUR AIMS At Chichester Festival Theatre, we believe
that the experience of live art has the
power to change lives. Our mission is to
embrace and enrich our communities
– locally, regionally, nationally and
internationally – through compelling,
entertaining and enlightening theatre.
personal and social skills alongside a life-
long enjoyment and appreciation of the
arts. Our ambition is to promote inclusivity,
accessibility and diversity, and to ensure rich
opportunities for all people, regardless of
age, culture and social background, to feel
inspired, challenged and excited by the arts.
‘Chichester Festival Theatre is one of the
We strive to bring people – artists and those most welcoming theatres I have had the
who support artistic work – together in pleasure of working in. The culture at CFT
an environment where creatively they can provides an intellectual and physical space
flourish. Alongside our tradition of producing for excellence, rigour and experimentation,
great plays with great actors, CFT seeks out and the team are willing to do what it takes
innovative and exciting voices in order to to engage new audiences. It is a most
explore newer forms of theatre, alongside creative and stimulating building that offers
our traditional repertoire. something for everyone.’
We are committed to supporting individuals Nicole Charles, director,
in developing their creative, artistic, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads
‘ONE OF THE BEST PLACES
OUTSIDE LONDON TO CATCH
HIGH-QUALITY DRAMA’
Sunday Times
Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads (2019) Photo by Manuel Harlan
DIGITAL In 2020, the global pandemic forced the
theatre industry to think creatively about
how to stay connected with audiences
whilst our theatres were closed. The
challenges led Chichester Festival
Theatre to experiment and innovate to
produce digital content in a new way.
connected with new and diverse audiences,
while maintaining vital relationships with
existing ones.
We have now developed a new digital
strategy to address our organisation’s – and
our audiences’ – growing need for a diverse
digital offering across multiple channels.
Working in close collaboration with external As part of the drive to pivot digitally, we
partners, we delivered 28 streamed are looking to appoint a Creative Digital
performances and events, reaching over Producer who can lead on our transformation,
153,000 people across 52 countries. We delivering and embedding a creative, diverse,
engaged with a further 156,000 people and integrated digital model at CFT.
through our online community activities and
Crave (2020) Photo by Marc Brenner
‘CRAVE @CHICHESTERFT IS SO
SO SO BEAUTIFUL AND PAINFUL AND
NOT ONE DROP OF THE EXPERIENCE
WAS LOST WATCHING THE LIVESTREAM
BECAUSE I BASICALLY DIDN’T BREATHE
FOR 50 MINS’
@Caitlinmcew
FACTS & FIGURES 2019/20 highlights
333,483
31%
first-time bookers Schools
tickets
attendance
increased by
41% Online bookings
Prologue 72%
£5 tickets for
16-25 year-olds
24,700
tickets at 2,785
3,601 £10 users of
LiveChat
(25% increase) online
59% 91%
Social media
engagement Social media
tickets sold increased by
14%
more than two
32%
respondents rated
quality of productions increase
months in excellent or good
in followers
advance
11 Podcasts
broadcast,
25,915
children & young
people attending
2,842
listens
CHICHESTER
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and and Downland Open Air Museum; and historic
sandy beaches, Chichester boasts a rich splendours such as Arundel Castle and
heritage alongside modern convenience. Petworth House.
Chichester has a full range of both major A 10-minute drive north takes you to the
chains and independent shops, bars, coffee heart of the South Downs National Park,
shops and restaurants. Attractions include or south to the stunning beaches, with
Pallant House Gallery; the Cathedral; miles of walking and cycling trails.
Goodwood’s famous motorsport events and The major cities of Brighton and Portsmouth
horseracing; an excellent independent cinema are less than an hour away, and trains to
and a Cineworld; the family friendly Weald London take 100 minutes.
Left: West Wittering beach
Right: South Downs
Bottom: CFYT’s Crossing Lines in Chichester city centre Photo by Pete Jones
‘EVERY DEPARTMENT
STRIVES TO ACHIEVE
EXCELLENCE AND THERE IS
JOY RUNNING THROUGHOUT
THE BUILDING.’
Samantha Spiro, actor
OUR COMMUNITIES
‘WE HAVE TWO WORLD-CLASS
THEATRES ON OUR DOORSTEP AND
EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE
TO ENJOY THEM.’ CFT Buddy volunteer
CFT is committed to taking its work through theatre and live art; CFT Buddies,
well beyond the Theatre to engage and which provides a free companion for those
inspire people of all ages, and explore who don’t feel comfortable attending a
what we can offer to people who may performance alone; an annual FestivAll
not find it easy to watch a performance celebrating the talents of local young people
in the usual way. with additional needs; and an extensive range
of Access performances including relaxed,
An extensive range of activities, workshops signed and captioned performances, and
and events for people of all ages, abilities dementia friendly activities.
and social backgrounds, combined with a
vibrant outreach and community partnerships ‘I have long opined that Chichester’s LEAP
programme, involve over 62,500 participants team is one of the best theatre education
every year. programmes in the country, with an
institutional commitment to education which
Among our ongoing initiatives are the includes county-wide youth theatre, mental
Ageless campaign which aims to raise health and dementia friendly initiatives, talks,
£100,000 each year to help people face the discussions and much more.’
challenges of ageing, illness and isolation
Susan Elkin, Ink Pellet
CFT prides itself on its work for and with two groups for young people with additional
OUR YOUNG PEOPLE young people, enabling a new generation
of audiences and theatre-makers to
engage with our work and share their
own stories.
The Prologue scheme offers 16-30 year
needs. We also work with Young Carers,
unaccompanied asylum seekers and children
in hospital. Our LEAP team works extensively
with local schools, colleges and universities to
provide learning opportunities and resources
around our productions.
olds £5 tickets to all Festival and Spiegeltent
productions and selected Winter shows and The Young Commisioning Circle allows
West End transfers. Prologue members also around 30 young people a year to follow a
receive access to exclusive events, talks Festival production from page to stage. We
and masterclasses. A team of Prologue also offer apprenticeships, work placements
Ambassadors work with the Theatre on and traineeships.
promoting and developing this scheme.
A Youth Advisory Board, launched in 2020,
Our award-winning Chichester Festival is instrumental in making the Theatre
Youth Theatre works with 750 young people a more dynamic and welcoming place for
a week across nine locations, including young people.
The Wizard Of Oz (2019) Photo by Helen Murray
CFT has a dynamic and collaborative During the Festival season we welcome additional
PEOPLE working environment. Many of our
departments are based in an open plan
office wrapped around the Festival
Theatre stage, with views onto Oaklands
Park, ensuring we work closely together
and establish strong and mutually
staff to our Technical departments, including Wigs
and Wardrobe, Props, Stage, Lighting and Sound.
Many people return each year but we always
enjoy welcoming new faces too. Regular company
meetings hosted by the Artistic and Executive
Directors and a staff newsletter keep us in
supportive relationships. touch with what’s happening, and throughout
the Festival season there are meet and greets
We have 80 permanent staff in roles
with the acting companies and the opportunity
ranging from Technical and Producers to
to attend press nights, parties and other social
Finance, Marketing to Theatre Management,
events. CFT believes professional development
Development to Engineering, and Learning,
is important for all our staff; training and
Education and Participation. Every department
short courses are encouraged and readily
is integral to the Theatre’s work and our
available. We also offer apprenticeships,
world-renowned productions.
work placements and traineeships.OUR STRUCTURE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
YOUTH ADVISORY
BOARD
ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Senior Management Team
Human
Development Digital Facilities Finance Resources
LEAP
Learning, Marketing, Theatre
Producers Technical Management
Education Press & Sales
& Participation
Front of
House Stage Door
Lighting Props Sound Stage Wardrobe WigsTHIS ROLE JOB DESCRIPTION
Post:
Responsible to:
Front of House Host
House Manager
Contract: Fixed Term, July 2021 – September 2021
Salary: £8.91 per hour
JOB PURPOSE
The Front of House Hosts will play a key role in delivering an outstanding experience for
audiences and visitors to CFT, with a particular focus on welcoming our audiences back for
the first time since the national lockdown.
The role will involve being outside of the main Festival and Minerva Theatre buildings to meet,
greet, direct and assist our audiences. For many returning patrons the FOH Hosts will be the
first members of CFT staff they’ve met face to face for over a year.
It is vital that you are a passionate people person with an interest in theatre. You must be
enthusiastic and willing to go the extra mile to give our audiences an exceptional welcome
back.
The role will be based outdoors, in all weathers. You will be required to wear a uniform which
includes a weatherproof jacket provided by CFT.
This is a fixed term contract running from July – September. You will be required to work a
minimum of 4 shifts per week.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Enthusiastically welcome audiences back to CFT
• Be the first point of contact for audience questions about their visit, productions or CFT
• Direct audiences around the site
• Assist with the safe management of audiences whilst they are arriving onsite
• Reassure and inform audience members about safety procedures that are in place
throughout their visit
• Assist the FOH team in the safe evacuation of audiences from the Festival Theatre or
Minerva Theatre in the event of a Fire Alarm activation
• Assist audience members with any access requirements
• As the public face of the Theatre, present in a positive and constructive manner and
give clear information about the Theatre productions
• To read and keep up to date with all CFT brochures and promotional material
• To promote other events and productions– such as but not limited to fundraising or
Friends memberships
• Attend Festival 2021 productions
This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the employee will be required to perform
duties outside of this as operationally required and at the discretion of the Front of House
Management Team.
The job will require unsociable working hours.THIS ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAFF MEMBERS
•
•
•
Be aware of the work of the other departments in the achievement of CFT’s aims
Take an active part in communicating and co-operating with other staff and
departments
Follow guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the company in relation to
financial management and personnel records
• Work in accordance with the Equal Opportunities policy of CFT
• Be aware of, and comply with, the rules and legislation pertaining to Health and
Safety at work
• Take part in such working groups and committees as might from time to time be
required for the fulfilment of departmental and/or company aims
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment at all times
• Contribute to and be mindful of CFT’s environmental policyRecruitment Process experience are currently under-represented
HOW TO APPLY Please send your CV and cover letter to
HR@cft.org.uk.
We will email all unsuccessful candidates
to tell them they have not been shortlisted
for interview. Due to the high volume of
among our staff, including disabled
people and people who are ethnically and
culturally diverse and who experience
racism in our society.
We would be grateful if you could please
complete our Equal Opportunities survey.
applications we receive, we cannot always
guarantee to give feedback although we will Chichester Festival Theatre is committed
try to do so where possible. All appointments to safeguarding and protecting the
are made subject to satisfactory references children and young people we work
and proof of eligibility to work in the UK. with. We ensure a range of policies and
procedures are in place which promote
Equal Opportunities
safeguarding and safer practice across
We believe diversity is about celebrating our organisation.
and valuing individuals. The Theatre has
an equality of opportunity approach and
aspires to give everyone the chance to If you require any support to submit
achieve their potential. an application for this role (alternative
methods of application are available),
We particularly welcome applications please email HR@cft.org.uk.
from individuals whose background and
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OF REGIONAL THEATRES’
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King Lear (2017) Photo by Manuel Harlancft.org.uk
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Cover: Caroline, Or Change (2017) Photo by Mark Brenner
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