As a theater undergraduate, Dave Goss grew very familiar with performing on stage as part of the Department of Theatre.

And as a theater graduate student, he’s now working the front of the house.

“I’ve been an actor for years,” the department’s house manager said. “I’ve been around this area for quite some time.”

As an undergraduate, Goss acted in several MSU plays: “Inherit the Wind,” “The Memory of Water” and “’Tis Pity She’s a Whore.”

As house manager, his job is to find ushers for all the shows and make sure the shows run smoothly.

“It’s a fun but demanding experience,” Goss said.

To recruit ushers, Goss went to theater classes, posted fliers and even placed an ad on the University Housing channel.

“I just spread the word any way I can,” he said.

And word’s getting out.

Theater freshman Michelle Fluture heard Goss speak in her Theatre 101, Acting I, class and jumped at the opportunity for a few different reasons, namely extra credit, free shows and seeing people.

“It’s really easy and you get to see all of the cute old people,” Fluture said. “The first time I volunteered it was for extra credit, but now I do it because I enjoy it.”

Many volunteers would have to see the plays for theater classes anyway, Goss said.

“I had fun being an usher,” he said. “I like talking to and smiling at people.”

Most student tickets are $12, making seeing shows for free the most popular incentive for ushering.

“Seeing the plays for free is cool,” said interdisciplinary humanities junior Adam Scheidt, a former usher.

Scheidt, an aspiring actor, really enjoyed ushering but looks forward to making the transition to the stage.

“Ushering is great, but I plan on being in the plays,” he said.

While Goss hasn’t had any problems finding people to volunteer, there are more shows in larger venues next semester.

The first big show of the year was “Evita,” which opened two weeks ago and closed this weekend. The house was nearly full Nov. 4, Goss said. There were only about 10 available seats out of 610 seats, he said.

“Evita’s doing really well, we’ve had big houses so far,” Goss said.

The house manager’s duties don’t stop at ushering. Duties also include opening and closing the theater, making sure there aren’t any noise disturbances and that people aren’t taking pictures.

“It’s a nice way to meet people, that’s why I have fun doing it,” Goss said.

The position has opened many doors for Goss, helping him make contacts and learn about the theater.

It also helps Goss open his office doors to students.

“I tell people if they ever just want to talk, feel free to stop by my office and give me a call,” he said.

Theater Professor Frank Rutledge, who has directed many plays at MSU, said ushering is important.

“It’s just intelligent and eager university students doing fairly easy work. The ushers have been doing an excellent job,” he said.

For more information on ushering, call Goss at 355-6690.