Our Mission

CAPA enriches lives by cultivating and nurturing the arts, spreading an appreciation that can be felt in hearts, minds and the economy of our communities.

Our Vision: Columbus is a national destination for living, breathing art.

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) was formed in 1969 to save the historic Ohio Theatre (Columbus) from the wrecking ball. After the theatre was saved, CAPA renovated the magnificent 1928 movie palace to its original glory. It was then that CAPA became the leaders in theatre rehabilitation and downtown redevelopment. Since then, CAPA has adopted Columbus’ Palace Theatre and Southern Theatre, and manages the Riffe Center Theatres, the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT, and the Lincoln Theatre.

One unique aspect of CAPA is its shared service business model, offering personalized back-office services to local arts organizations. While each agreement is tailored to fit each organization’s needs, some of these services include marketing, ticketing, management, operations, finance, publicity, human resources, IT, and development. CAPA's shared services partners include: American Public Gardens Association (APGA), the Contemporary Theatre, Columbus Cultural Leadership Consortium (CCLC), the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO), the Drexel Theatre, Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Leadership Columbus, the Lincoln Theatre, Opera Columbus, the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts and Hinson Amphitheater, the Shubert Theatre, and the Short North Stage.

Since its inception in 1969, CAPA has achieved international recognition for the diversity of the performing arts and entertainment programming it presents, the dramatic restoration of historic theatres, excellence in facility management, and positive contributions to the quality of life in downtown Columbus.

Primary Function

The House Manager assists the Director of Operations with a variety of duties to help maintain a smooth, well-run front-of-house operation during performances, ensuring patron satisfaction and safety. This is a part-time, hourly non-exempt position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares and closes the front-of-house for performances including turning lights on and off, locking and unlocking doors, distributing radios, verifying and maintaining appropriate quantities of programs and stuffers, and assisting the Director of Operations in duties related to events.
• Ensures cleanliness and safety of theatre by checking seating areas, entrances, egresses, and restrooms and informing Operations Assistants/Custodians if stocking items are needed.
• Provides custodial assistance during events as needed, such as maintaining and checking restrooms between intermission and the conclusion of the event and ensuring the building exterior is clean and clear of debris.

• Manages ushers including sign-in, assigning usher positions, and ensuring ushers have the proper equipment and training for their positions.
• Coordinates the activities of all front of house volunteers.
• Communicates regularly with the Director of Operations to discuss event specifications, special instructions, and special duties.
• Completes house reports.
• Maintains a presence in the lobby before, during, and after an event to provide complete patron satisfaction including special seating needs, taking tickets, and handling unforeseen or emergency situations in a prompt, courteous fashion.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Effective communication skills for working with renters, guests, volunteers and staff members.
• Efficient problems solving skills with the ability to quickly resolve problems in a calm, professional manner.

• Ability to perform a variety of tasks, often changing assignments with short notice.
• Quality customer service skills, thoroughness, and attention to detail.
• Ability to perform moderate lifting (up to 25-50 lbs), standing, bending and kneeling and climb stairs repeatedly throughout the course of performances, as necessary.
• An enjoyment of public interaction and the performing arts is important.

Credentials and Experience

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a customer service role.
• Ability to work day, evening, and weekend hours as theatre activity requires.

CAPA's EEO Statement

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CAPA does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, lactation status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status.

CAPA's Diversity & Inclusion Statement

CAPA believes in the power of diversity - we can only achieve our vision to make Columbus a destination for living, breathing art when we include everyone. CAPA is committed to presenting art that brings people from all backgrounds together to experience the transformative power of the arts. In the same spirit that we celebrate the many forms of performance art on our stages, we value, appreciate, and celebrate all human beings in our community.

CAPA recognizes that there are cultural and systemic barriers that prevent complete inclusivity and equity. CAPA's Diversity and Inclusion commitment is to progressively and continuously work to identify those barriers and intentionally adapt our practices, demonstrate our efforts, and measure the results to promote inclusion and equity.