Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are an invaluable part of making great art happen at Cal Performances. Currently, we utilize over 200 volunteers as ushers at performances. Volunteers are ambassadors of goodwill for Cal Performances and UC Berkeley and provide an excellent patron experience.

Volunteer ushers scan tickets at doors, stuff programs with announcements, show patrons to their seats, pass out programs, answer questions, and help to monitor the venue. In exchange for a few hours of their time the day of the performance, volunteer ushers are welcome to stay and watch the show at no additional cost.

General Volunteer Usher Program | Student Volunteer Usher Program | More Ways to Get Involved

General Volunteer Usher Program (non-UC Berkeley students)

Time and Tenure Obligations
We require all ushers new to our program to attend a 2–3 hour orientation in advance of their first shift. Additional training will be given during the first few shifts. Throughout a season, ushers are expected to volunteer for at least eight three-hour shifts—three in the fall, and five in the spring (our busiest season of activity). Call time for all volunteer ushers is generally 1.5 hours prior to curtain time. Shift ends after the last intermission of the performance, or 30 minutes after the performance start time, if no intermission; though volunteer ushers are welcome to stay and watch the show at no additional cost.

Selecting Shifts
Volunteer ushers are assigned to shows presented by Cal Performances at Zellerbach Hall, Hertz Hall, Zellerbach Playhouse, the Greek Theatre, and other venues as needed. There are also opportunities to volunteer at select performances presented by Another Planet Entertainment at the Greek Theatre. All scheduling, including requesting and dropping shifts, is done through a dedicated online portal. Twice per season, volunteers browse the event calendar and mark the performances that they would prefer to usher. These preferences are then used to assign volunteers to events, and we will do our best to assign based on preference, with the exception of one event each season that is required of all volunteers.

Additional Requirements and Expectations
Volunteer ushers are required to wear a white button-down, collared shirt and black pants or skirt, and black shoes, which they must independently source.

Applying to be a Volunteer
The volunteer roster is currently full for the 2025–26 season, and the program is not taking on new volunteers. Once volunteer opportunities become available again, application details will be available on this page. Prospective volunteers will be invited to interview with a panel of Cal Performances Front of House staff, student ushers, and current volunteer ushers; and selected candidates will be contacted with how to go about signing up for your orientation and first shift.

If you would like to add your name to the list of potential future volunteers, please email volunteer@calperformances.org so we may contact you as opportunities become available.

UC Berkeley Student Volunteer Usher Program

Time and Tenure Obligations
We understand that students may need additional flexibility in their schedules, and can’t always give a full-term commitment due to academic and other obligations. The student volunteer usher program provides maximum flexibility, with no minimum shift requirements. You can sign up on a show-by-show basis and will learn all you need to know about Front-of-House operations, the venue, and Cal Performances’ mission during your first shift. Call time for all student volunteer ushers is generally 1.5 hours prior to curtain time; shift ends at the start of the performance, though volunteer ushers are welcome to stay and watch the show at no additional cost.

Additional Requirements and Expectations
UCB Berkeley Student Volunteer ushers are required to wear a white button-down, collared shirt and black pants or skirt, and black shoes, which they must independently source. If you are unable to source a white button-down shirt, please contact volunteer@calperformances.org.

Applying and Selecting Shifts
All UC Berkeley students, including graduate, undergraduate, and exchange students, are eligible to volunteer for select performances at Zellerbach Hall. To apply, fill out this interest form and identify which performances you’d be interested in working. Please fill out the interest form at least three weeks in advance of the event, and, if selected, you’ll receive an email to your berkeley.edu email account no later than two weeks before the performance. Shift priority will be given to those who have had less opportunities to volunteer.

Questions? Contact volunteer@calperformances.org.

More Ways to Get Involved with Cal Performances

We know that our volunteers are motivated by their love for performing arts, and we want you to be part of the action, whether behind the scenes or in the audience!

Discounts
For general discount information, visit our discount page, and sign up for our Email Club, which offers exclusive access to sales and discounts. UC Berkeley students can access student-only discounts, including 50% off all performances and $10 premium tickets for our most anticipated performances; more information is available on our student page.

Employment
All open part- and full-time positions are posted on our employment page. All open student worker positions are posted on the UC Berkeley’s work study site, though work study is not a requirement for employment.

UC Berkeley Student Receptions
Looking for more community within the arts? Review Cal Performances’ student page to see upcoming UC Berkeley student receptions, which provide a space to connect with other arts-lovers as well as light refreshments immediately following select performances.