Meet Hollie – Our New Front of House Manager

If you’ve been to a gig, show, or even just popped in for a cuppa, chances are you’ve already met Hollie. She’s been that friendly face on the box office desk, calmly sorting the chaos behind the scenes, and welcoming audiences through our doors with a smile. And now… she’s officially stepping up as our new Front of House Manager. We grabbed a brew and had a proper natter to find out more.

What excites you most about stepping into the role? “I’m passionate about music and theatre, and I’ve got a background in performing arts, so I love being part of it all. I’m excited to work with such a great team to deliver shows at a place that’s genuinely beneficial to the local community.”

FOH nights can be a bit of a whirlwind (to put it mildly). Hollie says her superpower is staying calm in stressful situations and making sure the whole team is in sync from set up, to bar, to security. Basically, she’s the one making sure the night runs smoothly while the rest of us are hunting for the gaffer tape. How does the admin background help on the frontline? “It’s made me more confident talking to people and giving direction. I’ve had loads of interaction with the public already, so it’s definitely helped.”

When it comes to creating a brilliant audience experience, Hollie’s got a simple philosophy: “a friendly face at the door and a full, good selection on the bar.” (Can’t argue with that.)We asked if she remembered her very first FOH shift. “I’ve slept since then!” she laughed.

And the funniest thing she’s overheard in the foyer? That honour goes to our security team and their world-class crisp jokes: “Two crisps were walking down the road. A car pulls up and offers them a lift. They turn round and say, ‘No thanks mate, we’re Walkers.’” Yes. That actually happened.

If you ever shadow Hollie on a busy show night, don’t be fooled, what looks smooth on the surface is usually powered by an impressive amount of prep – “There are so many little things to think about before the doors even open,” she says.

Her pick for the most mysterious corner of the building? – “The Gallery Hall. I’ve worked here for two years and I still find doors I didn’t know existed.”

And her favourite thing about Wolverhampton audiences? “The wide variety of ages and characters and the accent!”

Three words to sum up her approach to the job: Confident. Excited. Creative. She’s also looking forward to all the incredible gigs coming up (especially Way Marker from Weeping Bank) and, on a lighter note…

Pre-show fuel: Tea
Show preference: Loud rock gig or musical
Snack of choice: Wright’s sausage roll
Dream guest: Olly Murs or Gandalf (if only)
Desk style: Organised chaos, with ambitions of tidiness
Biggest FOH pet peeve: Running behind schedule

Next time you’re heading through our doors, keep an eye out for Hollie. She’ll be the one calmly holding it all together, directing people with a grin and possibly reciting crisp jokes under her breath. Welcome to your new role, Hollie. We’re very glad you’re here.