(no subject)

Arena Stage has opened its new Mead Center for American Theater, and today I went to the usher training. The rules for ushers are mostly unchanged, which made the many dress code questions (already answered in handouts) obnoxious. One apparently new rule is that we can't read anything besides tickets while on duty, not even the program.

What has changed a lot is the layout of the building. The Kreeger and Fichandler Theaters are still where they were before renovation, but I'd hardly have recognized them outside or in. The building is vast and, if not fancy, at least distinctive in design.

We all even got a tour of a women's restroom, just this once. It had about twice as many stalls as the second biggest restroom I've ever seen. It also has mirrors away from the sinks, which my mom and sister explained were to ensure that nobody hogged a sink while messing with hair or makeup. They also told me that the previous restroom had been in dire need of expansion.

Alas, not everything is well planned. The ushers' departure from the Kreeger Theater indicated that audiences will take a darn long time to get out the door, which needs a wedge if nothing else to hold it open. More appalling is the lack of a house manager's office. What an insulting oversight.

Most inconvenient for us ushers is that the renovators did nothing to make our belongings more secure. In fact, we're advised to leave our briefcases behind. That wouldn't have been so bad at the Crystal City location, where we could easily put things in a car in the adjoining garage, but parking is hard enough in this area that they also suggest taking the Metro. On nights when I have to come directly from work, will I take my chances with the open lockers or leave my bag at the office, or maybe not even take it to work that day?

Oh well. I expect to enjoy the season anyway. There's a promising lineup as always.