Charles Webb has volunteered as an usher for the Florida Theatre for the last two seasons. He was recently named Usher of the Year by the theater.
WHAT DOES YOUR POST INVOLVE?
“I volunteer for shows and if they call, I’ll typically come down. I usually work the regular door, the middle one in the balcony. Some of those seats are difficult for people to locate because the numbers are on the armchairs. I’m very skilled on that particular door. I’ve also worked behind the bar and in the handicap section helping those that are not able to walk upstairs. I’ll take their wheelchairs down for them, make sure they’re positioned properly, assist them with going to the facilities if they ask and try to keep their view of the stage clear.”
WHO DECIDES WHERE YOU’LL BE WORKING?
“Sam Williamson is in charge of the usher program. He makes the assignments on where we’ll be positioned. I average eight to 10 times a month.”
WHY MANY USHERS ARE THERE?
“There are about 100 active ushers. How many that are used depends on the size of the show, what event it is and what it calls for. General admissions don’t need as many. Usually it takes about 10 to 40.”
WHY VOLUNTEER AS AN USHER?
“I always enjoyed going to the Florida Theatre when I attended shows as a child. This was a way to donate my time and a way to give back to the community by giving my service. People should do more than just work and go home. I like to be involved.”
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT IT?
“It’s rewarding to give my services and my time and I like talking with people. Exciting people come in and it’s nostalgic for most of them. I haven’t ushered a show where I haven’t run into someone I know.”
AIN’T MISBEHAVING
“The challenging part is making sure everything goes smoothly, that everybody is in the right seat at the right time, that there are no problems and that nobody is misbehaving.”
FOND MEMORIES
“I saw a lot of movies at the theater like ‘Paint Your Wagon’ with Clint Eastwood and ‘Dracula Has Risen from the Grave’ — I’m a big Christopher Lee horror fan. The first movie I ever saw there was ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ in 1967.”
HOW HAS CINEMA CHANGED?
“Now they’re filming more in wide screen and the sound and clarity are much better.”
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PERFORMANCES?
“I like the things people don’t really come to. I consider the real gems to be the dance troupes, operas and the summer movie classics that are a real treat on the big screen.”
HOW DOES FLORIDA THEATRE COMPARE WITH OTHER THEATERS?
“I can’t say that they’re competition. I see old movies here presented in the same way they were 10, 20 years ago. In that respect, it can still hold its own. I’m amazed that they can produce things so smoothly, with good sound quality and no lighting problems. The theater is old but has the most modern equipment. There is no difference between this and the way the T-U Center presents things. The best use of the theater is for plays, but the smaller concerts do really well, too. You get a good seat no matter where you sit.”
HOW MAN Y MORE SEASONS DO YOU PLAN TO VOLUNTEER?
“I would like to work there as long as they’ll have me. It’s a beautiful place and I love going there.”
WHAT’S YOUR DAY JOB?
“I’m a parts clerk at Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
IT’S NOT JUST A JOB. . .
“When I was in the Air Force [as a personnel specialist], I was part of the Norton Players; we put on plays. I gained new respect for actors. It’s like going to work; it’s hard to put on a face and give it your all even when you don’t feel like it.”
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CURTAIN
“I was a stage hand when I was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. We put on talent shows. The annual production was ‘Tops in Blue’ and I ran the spotlight. They were the best of the Air Force performers; they traveled from base to base. I always thought theater was interesting. I was acting in plays since I was a child because I like acting. I have been thinking about auditioning [for a local play]. Once I get my courage up, I will do it. I’ve been considering writing short stories again, too.”
RESIDES
Northside.
HOBBIES
A big movie buff, Webb’s favorite is “2001: A Space Odyssey.” He also enjoys bowling, watching football (especially when the Green Bay Packers are playing) or tuning into re-runs of the old television show “Taxi.” When he ventures away from home, you may find him dining at Steak & Ale.
HOLLYWOOD HAZE
“I don’t like meeting celebrities because it destroys the illusion. I used to love Diana Ross but I met her one time and couldn’t stand her. Most of the ones I met were nice. I was most impressed by Mikhail Baryshnikov because he is still able to dance at his age. I guess the biggest celebrity I ever met was Steven Spielberg.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“Brett Favre, the quarterback for Green Bay. He’s just incomparable; there’s nobody better than him. The things he can do just amazes me.”
— by Monica Chamness