About Colorado Ushers

The mission of Colorado Ushers is to provide quality and dependable volunteers to the performing arts, while also teaching young people proper theater etiquette and motivating them to attend live performances, ultimately enhancing the overall theater experience for the Denver/Boulder metro area. Organizational goals are to 1) provide financial savings to partner agencies by placement of volunteer ushers; 2) improve the theater climate for patrons by teaching volunteers better customer service; 3) to encourage greater diversity in theater attendance by exposing young people and their families to the performing arts. Colorado Ushers is the only organization of its kind in Colorado.

History

Colorado Ushers received its 501c3 status in April of 2002. Chip Ross, the founder and president, conceived of the organization based on his volunteer experience at The Saints, a similar agency based in Chicago. Colorado Ushers' initial purpose was to provide volunteer ushers to Denver/Boulder theaters. The organization's scope has evolved to include Going to the Theatre, a theater etiquette program for young people that is held in conjunction with local schools. Chip's previous teaching experience and graduate work in curriculum development has been a tremendous resource for developing a top-notch volunteer program in conjunction with an innovative school-based education program.