Anyone work in non-profit theatre?

[QuarterLiferAmy]

Hey Everyone,

Just started a job in non-profit theatre this week. My boss told me that I will be learning all aspects of Guest Services (box office, front of house, and rentals). I think I am going to master box office pretty quick as I found the computer system fairly easy. Most of the employees spend the majority of their time on FACEBOOK, social networking sites, replying to personal e-mails leaning against the counter talking alot about basically nothing um and generally doing alot of time wasting. I am not used to work in any environment that is so easy and so lax. I guess the pay compensates as it is only $2 about minimum wage.

I don't how much longer I can take wasting my entire day accomplishing so very little. Is this common phenomena in workplaces? I don't if I am weird, but I like to be kept busy with work as much as humanly possible.


Anyways, I got this position basically because I know the director of guest services from a previous job. I feel like cutting my hours already or potentially just leaving (likely the first since their are not many jobs around).


Advice anyone?

[wordsmith]

Do your job and don't worry about other people slacking. That way, when budget cuts come, you're less likely to be the one on the chopping block.

I've worked in several nonprofit settings, and while I always enjoyed that they were more laid back, in all of them, you got taken to task for sure if you weren't doing any work. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, if there's no accountability or oversight at all.

[QuarterLiferAmy]

Do your job and don't worry about other people slacking. That way, when budget cuts come, you're less likely to be the one on the chopping block.

I've worked in several nonprofit settings, and while I always enjoyed that they were more laid back, in all of them, you got taken to task for sure if you weren't doing any work. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, if there's no accountability or oversight at all.


Thanks, Words! I talked to and my boss today and told her that I am not sure if I would be working f/t anymore. She pretty much teared up. She told me a f/t Box Office Rep was quitting and they would be short staffed. I told her we could connect sometime next week and talk about how I would get training in all 3 areas. No training plan has been made up as yet. The lady working in rentals seems to have something against me...she gave me this big long lecture about where I put my drinks (apparently your not allowed to put your drink under the computer wicket even though everyone else does it). It was so stupid because another supervisor put her drink in a cup and left it beside the computer in sight of the patrons...and I pointed it out to her. And she started to making this bullshit. UGH. I can't stand workplace politics. Why can't everyone just shut up and do there work? Further, this lady in rentals talks so much about nothing (i.e flower pots) and her voice is so loud. I just want to slap her. Thank god for the supervisor who is a total gamer, ex-blockbuster employee, and twilight series reader. I don't know where I would be if I didn't work with him.

I think this belongs under the 'rant' thread.