Performing arts can move people in powerful ways and make connections beyond our expectations. Sometimes that happens in the audience, sometimes on stage. And other times, the arts work their magic behind the scenes in the form of an open door, a kind smile or a helpful hand.

Sharon Burnett has worked as an usher at Whiting Auditorium for nearly 20 years and plans to stay as long as she’s able. She spent 30 years in a full-time job but says the people she encounters at the theatre have always made her ushering experience worthwhile. “We feel such joy when we greet the patrons and we’re happy to serve,” she says.

Edie Almasy has been a staple of the usher corps since 2019. She, too, loves the opportunity to serve patrons as part of their first impression of FIM venues and experiences. “Someone told me recently, ‘I love coming to this place. You guys are just the best,’” Edie recalls. “And we feel proud because it’s our place. It’s nice to hear those kinds of things.”

In recent years, though, Edie and Sharon have had even more reasons to love their job.

Margie Hofmeister had lived in Florida for 27 years before moving back to Michigan in 2015. Grieving the recent losses of her mother, husband and daughter, she found comfort in caring for her young grandchildren. That is, before they had the nerve to grow up and go to school in 2022.

Around the same time, Demetria Green, a graduate of Flint Central High School who had lived elsewhere for decades, returned to Flint from her home in Texas to care for her elderly mother.

Meanwhile, Cindy Carney, a longtime patron of Whiting Auditorium and Capitol Theatre was preparing to retire from a 35-year career and, like Margie and Demetria, hoped to ward off the quiet of retirement as she transitioned out of her busy lifestyle.

The three women, who’s journeys separated them by hundreds of miles for much of their lives, all found themselves walking the same path into the lobby of a theatre.
“I just came in with no expectations,” Hofmeister says. “I was filling a hole. I was sad about losing my position as babysitter. My children were growing, and I needed to grow, too. So I started as an usher, and I knew no one.”

That wouldn’t last long, of course. In no time, all five women had not only met each other, but grown into the best of friends.

“These ladies are my ride or die,” says Green of the group she calls “The Dream Team.” “Each building is different and all of us have our special place that we like working, but when we come together – we laugh, we joke and giggle, and we miss each other when we’re not working together, too.”

While she has always loved her job at Whiting Auditorium, Burnett says her camaraderie with her new friends is one for the ages. “In almost 20 years, this is the first time I’ve had a connection of real fellowship with my coworkers,” she says.

The joy of that fellowship is infectious. Not only do the new friends uplift and encourage one another in their work, but they serve as mentors to the group of youth ushers who work alongside them and cherish the special bonds they form with their young colleagues.

“I love the fact that there is a youth program,” says Carney. “I’ve gotten close to some of the young kids. It’s so amazing because my kids are grown now, and it’s so wonderful to see these kids grow, too.”

“I like to talk to the youth ushers,” adds Green. “I tell them to just smile, open yourself up so people know that you are part of an organization that’s going to take care of them when they’re here.”

That’s how she feels, after all – like she’s paying forward the warm accommodation she receives from her friends. “It’s my responsibility to make people feel comfortable. And these ladies make me feel like I want to do that,” Green said.

Many people have colleagues they enjoy on the job, but this friendship endures outside the walls of the “office,” long after the bowties come off.

“Sometimes we call each other up and say ‘I need some girl time!’” says Green with a smile, as the ladies recall a recent outing to support a colleague performing in a local community theatre production.  They enjoyed the opportunity to support another friend, and they relished receiving hospitality as patrons almost as much as they enjoyed doling it out on the job.

“I always kid the ladies that had we met in high school, we would have been fast friends for life,” says Green, who also admits with a wink that they might have caused a lot of trouble. But all of them agree their paths crossed exactly where and when they most needed to find one another.

“We are celebrating this season of life together. We make each other laugh; we keep each other lifted up when we feel down,” says Green. “They are wonderful ladies. I feel so blessed to have them in my life. And I know they feel the same.”