Theatre Usher Reflects on Life-Changing Role at Arts Centre Melbourne

Freya Bennett, now nearing 40, recounts her transformative experience working as a front-of-house usher at Arts Centre Melbourne, one of Australia's busiest performing arts centres. Starting at age 24, Bennett was initially lost after graduating with a music degree and working as a nanny. A friend suggested she apply for the usher role, which was rare due to low turnover. She passed the interview, which included a maths quiz, and began working at the State Theatre. Her first shift watching Madama Butterfly gave her goose bumps, sparking a newfound appreciation for opera. Over the years, she saw numerous performances, including Summer of the Seventeenth Doll 17 times, spine-tingling Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concerts, the Australian Ballet's production of Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel, and a memorable show by boyband Human Nature. Bennett also observed the highs and lows of audience behaviour, from a little girl's first ballet to a man angrily throwing away his Magnum ice-cream. She formed a deep friendship with a fellow usher named Stef, who later became her bridesmaid and is now called 'Aunty Steffy' by her children. Bennett describes the workplace as safe and supportive, with many queer artist colleagues. She reflects that the job 'cracked open her heart to the beauty of humans experiencing art' and felt like a cradle. The article is part of The Guardian's 'A job that changed me' series, highlighting personal stories of how work can impact one's life.