New 42 Youth Corps Ushers’ Most Memorable Patron Moments

ext reads "New 42 Youth Corps Usher' Most Memorable Moments." To the right is a group photo of Youth Corp members.

Another curtain closed on a New Victory season means another amazing year of hard work from the ushers of the New 42 Youth Corps. These ushers are with you every step of your New Victory journey, from scanning your tickets to greeting you in our lower lobby, all creating a memorable Off-Broadway experience.

New 42, the nonprofit organization behind New Victory Theater, powers the New 42 Youth Corps, a three-track workforce development program that offers paid employment, job training, academic support, mentorship and an introduction to the performing arts for over 50 young New Yorkers annually. Since launching in 1995, the program has provided over 400,000+ hours of paid employment to over 660 teens from across the city.

New Victory Usher Corps offers NYC high school students in their junior year (or equivalent) flexible, part-time, paid employment, college access, workshops and opportunities to experience live theater.
New 42 College Corps offers workshops, flexible, part-time employment in the arts and college success to CUNY undergrads.
New 42 Fellows Corps offers Youth Corps Alumni and CUNY Cultural Corps Alumni early-career professional guidance, mentorship, and full-time employment in arts administration and related fields.

During the Youth Corps’ end-of-year celebration, New 42 President and CEO Russell Granet asked the ushers to reflect on their most memorable patron interactions this season. Read on to see what the ushers shared.

New 42 President and CEO Russell Granet speaks in front of a group of New 42 Youth Corps Ushers in the New Victory Theater lower lobby.

Every time the students look up at the little twinkle lights outside in the entrance, they say, ‘Oh my god, I’m so excited!’ Kids’ reactions at the education shows are really cute. The small kids, they’re really cute.

—Xiomara Huerta, College Corps

The box office entrance to the New Victory Theater, with the twinkle lights on the ceiling illuminated

I had a really sweet moment with a mother whose child had sensory needs. I let her know that we welcome all reactions, and that we also offer sensory-friendly shows. She was so grateful that there was an opportunity for her son to enjoy theater.

—Jhaunay Amani Roberts, College Corps

Two ushers at the Accessibility Table giving fidget toys to young patrons. — An usher shares a fidget toy with a young theatergoer at the Accessibility Table.

One patron expressed her gratitude toward all of us, how we’re still young and how we’re still working to either provide for ourselves or provide for our family. After that encounter, it made me really emotional.

—Gustavo Angel Cuatlacuatl Alonso, Usher Corps

A New Victory usher scanning the tickets of a family entering the theater.

We’re grateful for all of the Youth Corps ushers’ enthusiasm and dedication throughout the season. We can’t wait to welcome all of our new and returning ushers back in the fall for the New Victory Theater 2024-25 Season!