Welcome to Lyric

Do you remember the first time you stepped through Lyric’s lobby doors and into the Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Grand Foyer? There is something magical about the experience. The high ceilings, the art deco features, and the beautifully detailed fixtures are all breathtaking. After taking a moment to absorb the stunning interior, a realization occurred: you had no idea where anything was located. A little bit of anxiety started to build, because not only did you need to find the nearest restroom, but you had reservations at a restaurant called the Florian Opera Bistro and it was most certainly not on the first floor…

The Lobby Greeter Program was designed with the purpose of enhancing the experience of all patrons, new and returning. It would be the duty of Lobby Greeters to help all patrons and make them feel welcome when they enter Lyric’s front doors. Sherie Shapiro, Chapters’ Executive Board President 2014-2018, imagined the Lobby Greeter Program during a brainstorming session discussing the “First Five Minutes” experience for our patrons. Sherie recognized the need for Lyric ambassadors to be present in the lobby and who better than the members of our Chapter community to fill that role! The Chapters and Lyric embraced this idea and decided to give it a try during the run of The King and I. Inspired by the musical, the program was perfectly named the “Getting to Know You” project, and members of the Chapter community volunteered to be greeters before every performance of the musical. To help distinguish themselves from other patrons, Chapter members would wear large red “Ask Me” buttons. The volunteers made sure every patron was greeted with a smile and offered help if they looked a little lost.

Over the years, the Greeter Program evolved into a more robust project, and the Chapter volunteers became a fixture in the lobby during the run of the musical. By 2018, the program received recognition from Opera Volunteers International, who awarded the Lobby Greeter Program with the “Project of Special Merit.” Sherie accepted the award on behalf of the Chapters and Lyric at the Opera America Conference in St. Louis. The program continues this season during the run of West Side Story, where Chapter members will be in the Lobby continuing to welcome patrons to our beautiful opera house. Be sure to look for their smiling faces and listen for their “Welcome to Lyric!”