Who We Are: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua is a non-profit 501(c)(3) arts organization with a mission to provide entertaining and educational activities with an emphasis on performances that celebrate history and the environment. The Big Top operates under the umbrella of the Ashwabay Alliance, which brings recreation and entertainment together for a truly magical experience. For nearly four decades our organization has been building cultural bridges, opening inquisitive minds, capturing the zeitgeist while keeping one foot firmly planted in history. Big Top presents concerts, shows, and events June through September in an intimate 900 seat all-"canvas" tent, including international headliners, regional talent, and original productions.
The Role: As Box Office Lead you will play an important role in the customer experience at the Box Office & Gift Shop location and the Backstage Event Center located in Bayfield. Under the supervision of the General Manager and Venue Manager, individuals in this role will be primarily responsible for selling tickets, providing excellent customer service, and serving as the first point of contact for patrons. Box Office staff work within a ticketing software program and perform credit card transactions and cash handling.
Responsibilities:
Assist patrons in the purchase of tickets over the phone and in person.
Help patrons with the navigation of the website and the online ticket purchasing process.
Assist patrons with Gift Shop retail sales while operating a POS system.
Answer customer questions and concerns while providing superior customer service.
Relay information about performances, events, and Alliance venues.
Maintain Gift Shop inventory and tidiness.
Filing, copying and other basic office duties.
Additional duties as requested.
Requirements:
Knowledge of computers.
Previous cash handling experience.
Excellent customer service, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Evening and weekend availability a plus.
Prior relatable experience is a plus.
Ability to lift +30 lbs. and work long hours, including nights and weekends.
Dates & Hours of Employment:
This is a seasonal position beginning in May and running through mid-September to early October, with the possibility of a permanent position combined with Event Coordination duties.
Weekly schedules typically range from 20-40 hours per week.
Includes daytime, evenings, and weekends.
Shifts for this position range from 4 to 8 hours.
Compensation & Benefits:
Hourly compensation dependent on experience and availability; $15/hour.
Big Top Chautauqua, a 39-year-old tent venue located near the shore of Lake Superior, is hiring a Hospitality Director to coordinate all on-site hospitality. On-site includes all Food and Beverage oversight and staffing for all venues, hospitality for all visiting artists, management of the Spirit House--a cottage the Artists use to eat, relax, and prepare for the show with an outside seating area, and two dressing rooms with a food area backstage of the performance tent. The Hospitality Director manages and contracts/schedules for all food and beverage personnel to fulfill all patron experience needs, the Artists’ Assistants (AAs) to fulfill the hospitality needs of the Artists who perform on the Big Top stage. This includes coordinating with the Artists’ Touring Managers, Artist Advancement with the Talent Director, and coordinating with Big Top’s technical crew, administration staff, and other on-site managers. The Hospitality Director is the Big Top Chautauqua’s Campus and Stage Director, with the ultimate decision-making power, working with the Facilities Manager, Volunteer manager, and others as needed to ensure patron safety and enjoyment. Discretion and professionalism is of utmost importance. Spend your summer working under the stars with local, national, and international musicians and artists, and your winters working from the chalet on Mt. Ashwabay.
The Hospitality Director is an employee of the Ashwabay Alliance, which was founded in 2022 as a 501c3 non-profit. The Alliance is the combination of Big Top Chautauqua (BTC), a performing arts organization founded in 1986; Mt. Ashwabay (AWB), an outdoor recreation/ski hill operation founded in 1948; the Backstage, an intimate performance venue; and StageNorth, featuring a 100+ seat theater and a performance lounge.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Food and Beverage
Working collaboratively with Chefs, Food Manager, Bar Manager, and local food and beverage vendors to secure food and beverage needs for all venues year-round.
This includes The Big Top Chautauqua, Spirit House and artists’ needs, Backstage, and Mt. Ashwabay.
Working with development and volunteer coordinator for any special events during the summer season and/or winter season.
Food and beverage needs for all special events.
Designing work schedules for all food and beverage team members, to include working with volunteer coordinator to fill needed support positions.
Establishing and maintaining excellent vendor relationships
Working within Budget and keeping stock fresh and to minimums.
Hospitality – Touring and Local Artists Experience
Reviewing visiting Artist contracts and Rider, documenting pertinent information on the “BandHospitality Check List”.
Working within both the overall budget and the delineated in the Artists contract.
Verifying the final hospitality budget and Rider requests with Talent Director.
Coordinating with Artist Assistants (AAs) to create a warm, welcoming, and clean environment to maximize Artists’ enjoyment of the Big Top experience.
Once budget is verified, and at least 2 weeks before Band’s arrival, emailing the Band’s Tour Manager using the “Hospitality Email Welcome”, attaching the Rider on file and other informational documents.
Verify the band’s CURRENT/NEW hospitality, food and beverage needs and budget
Ensure chef has verified meal content.
Facilitating the weekly meeting with Artists Assistants and Chef to:
Review the NEW Rider.
Fill-out the “BandHospitality Check List”.
Generate the AAs schedule using the “AAs Daily Schedule Checklist”.
Overseeing and supporting AAs in completing their duties.
Prior to season opening –
Coordinating with Artist Assistants to clean and organize Spirit House and backstage for the summer season:
Wash all dishes, glassware, silverware, serving pieces, shelves in cupboards, straighten closet, clean refrigerators, schedule carpet cleaning, purchase basic food stocks etc.
End of Season –
Oversee Spirit House and backstage cleaning and secure storage.
Hospitality – Campus, Tent, Stage
Working with Facilities in design, set up and strike of the Big Top campus
Informing Facilities of any possible issue that could negatively impact staff, volunteer, patron or artist
Working with Production Team, in reviewing riders, and pre, during and postproduction issues.
Acting if needed, in tandem with artists and production needs.
Acting as lead in the event of weather or other possible events that could put staff, volunteers, patrons, artists or any other in harm’s way.
Throughout –
Be courteous, considerate, and respectful of all
Ensure that hospitality supplies are properly and appropriately stocked.
Keep all receipts well labeled and organized by Band name, submitted within one week of purchase to accounting.
Alert Facilities Manager to any physical needs or safety concerns requiring maintenance, including grounds, stage, and Spirit Cottage, in a timely manner.
Interact respectfully with all Staff, Board Members, Donors, Volunteers, and Audience members.
