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Charleston Gaillard Center

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Topic of the Month

Official Fire Drill

Hi all—I am excited to announce that we will have our first Evacuation Drill on Tuesday, September 10 at 11am. This is a tremendous effort on behalf of the Gaillard Center, City of Charleston and Emergency Responders, and we will be most successful with ALL of your help! We will practice two types of drills that will be revealed the day of. Some of you will participate as mock-patrons, while others will participate as ushers. After these quick drills, we will all come together to discuss our experience and outcomes. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Dress is casual. 

I urge all of you to attend, so that we can rehearse the emergency procedures that we cover before every performance and re-training. Click here to sign up so that I will expect your attendance. Please know that you will receive 2 punches on your voucher card and discounted parking ($2 at Aquarium Garage, $5 at Gaillard Garage) for your time. 

Thank you, and do not hesitate to reach out to volunteer@gaillardcenter.org if you have any questions! 

Best, 
Victoria

Sensory safe spaces & Bag Locations

Beginning in May of 2019, the Charleston Gaillard Center began working with the organization KultureCity to make greater strides in the Gaillard Center’s accessibility for patrons with sensory needs. We now require all ushers to complete KultureCity Training annually, and pass the training test to become and/or remain an active usher.

All sensory bag locations are designated with a KultureCity "Sensory Bag Location" sign. 

1. Box Office 

2. "Light Lock Room" / Tech Booth (ask a house manager to retrieve)


All quiet spaces are designated with a KultureCity "Quiet Area" sign. 

1. Lower Orchestra Lobby (House Left & House Right) 

2. North Parlor Bar/Rest Area (Box Tier, House Left) 

3. Dress Circle Lobby (House Left & Right) 

4. Gallery Lobby, House Left 

5. Ballroom 1 Rest Area 

6. North Portico Salon Hallway 

2019-2020 Season 5 Usher Mentors


Announcing out 2019–2020 Season 5 Usher Mentors! These mentors will aid both you and House Management during performances and events. Join me in congratulating them!

Don Bommarito 

Dr. Terry Holder-Ryder 

Randy Adam

Louis Kaufman

Esther Lapin

Kris Ritenour 

Jeff Weinman 

Sara Dwyer 

Chuck Bilot 

Sue Chanson

Usher Spotlight

Dr. Terry Holder-Ryder

How long have you been ushering at the Gaillard Center? 
I came mid-way through the first season (of the new building), so this will be the 5th season.

What do you enjoy most about ushering at the Gaillard Center? I’m a talker, so I like meeting and talking to the patrons and guests. Also, I spent some years in the military as a young man, so it kind of reminds me of “standing watch” for a couple of hours. There’s a sort of nostalgia feeling that is nice.

What has been your favorite event at the Gaillard Center, so far?
The Lowcountry Jazz Festival annually: it’s a long weekend of multiple shows and the attendees are the best dressed, most engaging crowd. Just delightful!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy gardening. We have another home in Charlotte and old friends/social life up there. We love live music so we travel for shows as well.

Favorite fun fact about yourselves?
My first Grateful Dead show was in 1977 when I was 13 (with my hippie aunts and uncles). I’ve seen them hundreds of times and still go (they are Dead & Company now, with John Mayer on lead guitar). What a long strange trip it’s been!

Want to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? 
Email volunteer@gaillardcenter.org with answers 
to these questions and a photo of yourself! 


Staff Spotlight

Staff Spotlight - Grant Hawes

What's your favorite memory at the Gaillard Center so far? When I got to meet Bill Murray at the Darius Rucker Concert.

Who is your favorite performing artist? Aziz Ansari

How do you spend your free time? Outdoors

Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I have a twin sister!

Usher Membership

Purchase an Usher Membership Today!

The Charleston Gaillard Center offers an exclusive level of membership available only to our amazing group of active volunteer ushers.

For an annual contribution of $25, Usher Members will receive the following benefits:
• 24-hour pre-sale access to all shows
• 1 free drink ticket to use during the season (not during shift)
• 1 free parking voucher for the Gaillard Center Parking Garage
• Listing in the program as an Usher Member (effective January 2018)
• Lapel pins to wear as an addition to your usher uniform and to show your Gaillard Center pride
 
Our ushers are the heart of the Gaillard Center, and we look forward to welcoming you into our family of members. For more information or inquiries, please contact Neal Rice at 843-579-6468 or nrice@gaillardcenter.org

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