Volunteer Handbook 2021-22 - The Egg - Orientation, COVID & Sign-Up Guide

Aug 21, 2026

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Volunteer Handbook 2021-22 for “The Egg” (Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center) explains the facility’s mission and volunteer role in front-of-house theatre operations. The handbook outlines orientation requirements, eligibility rules, and contact points for house management, then details COVID-related expectations aligned with CDC guidance. It also describes how to sign up for performances using SignUpGenius, including timing, cancellation steps, and procedures when requirements change show to show.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Volunteer Role and Venue Overview

Mission and Facility Details

Volunteer Ushers and Operations

Orientation and Eligibility

Annual Orientation Requirement

House Management Contacts

COVID and Health & Safety Procedures

Masking and Notification

Patron Requirement Enforcement

Signing Up for Performances

SignUpGenius Registration

Scheduling, Timing, and Cancellation

Center for the Performing Arts Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK 2021-22 OFFICIAL NAME: GOVERNOR NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER EMPIRE STATE PLAZA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER-BETTER KNOWN AS: “The Egg” STATUS: The Egg was built and is owned and maintained by the State of New York. The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center is a not-for-profit organization that is charged with programming performing arts events and coordinating all operations at the center. MISSION: To present quality performances, accessible to all citizens of New York State, highlighting the unique and extraordinary artists from New York State, across the country and around the globe. Through partnerships and collaborations, present quality performances, spotlight emerging artists, foster relationships with resident companies, enhance activities in cultural and arts education, while remaining accountable to its public funds investment. THE FACILITY: Even before its construction was complete, The Egg was capturing attention. In fact, this distinctive and ingenious addition to the Albany skyline is still one of the first shapes to catch your eye as you approach the city—it stands in an unmistakable contrast to the angular designs surrounding it. The construction of The Egg began in 1966 and was completed twelve years later in 1978. It was designed by architect Wallace K. Harrison, whose many accomplishments include Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, and the United Nations Headquarters. The Egg houses two theatres-the 440 seat Lewis A. Swyer Theatre and the 980 seat Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre. OPERATIONS: The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by a number of government officials. Operations are managed by a full time staff and supported by theatre technicians who manage the presentation of the performances. The Center presents the majority of performances, although other organizations also sublet the theatres for additional shows. VOLUNTEER USHERS: The Center relies on over 200 individuals who volunteer their time in assisting in “front of house” operations. This guide is intended to familiarize volunteers with the policies and procedures that are in place to ensure a positive experience for theatre patrons that attend performances throughout the year. HOUSE MANAGER CONTACTS House Management Supervisor/Operations Coordinator: Keegan Bushey: Ushers@TheEgg.Org House Manager: Zach Wilkens ORIENTATION: It is required that all volunteer ushers attend an orientation session on an annual basis. These sessions will provide you with important safety information and familiarize you with ushering procedures, staff, fellow volunteers and the theatres themselves. Annual orientation meetings are typically held in September. If you are joining as a volunteer after this session, please arrange for an individual orientation with the House Manager. Volunteers that do not attend are ineligible to usher until the next orientation. COVID: The Egg will closely follow all recommendations made by the CDC. This means that requirements for staff/volunteers/patrons will modify depending on the state of the pandemic. The Egg takes health and safety seriously and will do everything necessary to ensure that requirements are met on a day to day basis. Procedures will most likely change from show to show, depending on the requirements. All volunteers will be notified of changes to the requirements prior to the next performance. We ask that volunteers take the requirements seriously and to act accordingly. Masks may be required of both the vaccinated and the unvaccinated. Please bring your own mask if masks are made mandatory for the performance. Disposable masks will be available. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID leading up to the show you are scheduled to volunteer for, please notify Keegan and please stay home. If you are experiencing symptoms on the day of the

FAQs

How often must volunteer ushers attend orientation, and what happens if they miss it?

All volunteer ushers must attend an orientation session on an annual basis, typically in September. Volunteers who do not attend are ineligible to usher until the next orientation.

How does The Egg handle COVID requirements for staff, volunteers, and patrons?

The Egg follows CDC recommendations, and requirements may change depending on the pandemic situation and the specific show. Volunteers may be asked to wear masks, bring their own if required, and stay home if they have COVID symptoms.

How do volunteers sign up and cancel for performances?

Performance sign-ups use SignUpGenius. Volunteers cancel by removing themselves from the sign-up so the system notifies the house coordinator immediately; if SignUpGenius is not accessible, email the coordinator instead.

Aug 21, 2026

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