Meet Riverside Theatre Ushers Ray and Barbara Dudine

“Enjoy the show,” says Barbara Dudine, smiling as she hands a playbill to a woman she helped find her seat. It’s a busy night at Riverside Theatre, just the way the longtime usher likes it. Ever since Barbara and her husband, Ray, moved to Vero Beach 17 years ago, volunteering at Riverside has been an important part of their lives, especially Barbara’s.

“I’m from New York, Long Island, grew up going to Broadway, where I saw so many great shows,” she says; “so it was only natural that when we moved to Vero, I would want to check out Riverside Theatre. My folks, who were already living here, were on an usher team that needed two people, so Ray and I joined them.

“Then the team leader announced he was moving to North Carolina, so we needed a new leader. Most of the people on the team were between 75 and 80 at the time and didn’t want to do it, so I was it.” Barbara laughs as she recounts the way she became doubly involved.

Her enthusiasm and upbeat attitude are the perfect “Welcome—you are in for a treat” greeting. She loves being an usher and it shows.

“The theater is so beautiful, there’s not a bad seat in the house, and the shows are outstanding, especially the musicals,” she says. “Some of the ones I had seen on Broadway, like Jersey Boys, I’ve seen here, and it was terrific! There’s nothing like live theater!”

Occasionally, people ask Barbara how they can become ushers and she directs them to Riverside’s website, where there’s an application form. She also cautions them that ushering is not a cushy job; it involves standing on your feet for several hours at a time while welcoming, guiding, answering questions, troubleshooting, and cleaning the theater after the show is over. All with a smile on your face.

Every month, Barbara’s 16-member team is responsible for a Wednesday evening performance. They arrive at the theater by 6 p.m., all dressed in black slacks, white blouse or shirt with collar, black jacket, black closed-toe shoes, and, for men, black socks and a black tie. Everyone wears a name tag.

“We usually have a meeting with the stage manager, where we go over the roster and check which position each team member is responsible for. When the doors open sometime between 6:30 and 7, things really get busy until 7:30, when the house lights dim and a hush of anticipation can be heard as the curtain rises.

“Ushers do have assigned seats, so we can sit and enjoy the show until intermission, when we’re back on our feet until the second act starts. We also usher for Live in the Loop, Comedy Zone, Dueling Pianos, and Waxlax Stage performances,” Barbara explains. “It’s a lot, but definitely worth it.

“When Ray and I get home, I can’t go to bed right away. I have to calm down, so I put my feet up and look at the playbill to see what other things the actors have done. They have so much talent. I also check out upcoming shows, like Little Shop of Horrors, Jesus Christ Superstar, and 9 to 5. I can’t wait.”