Draft:User/Front of house

Front of House

"Front of House" (FOH) plays an important role across various industries, particularly in the performing arts, hospitality, and retail industries. In theaters and live music venues, FOH encompasses the areas where patrons enjoy performances and gather in lobby spaces during breaks. It serves as the public-facing section of the venue, overseeing not only the performance areas but also the foyers—spaces where patrons convene, socialize, and eagerly anticipate upcoming experiences. In hospitality, this could also refer to the area where patrons enter and wait to be seated or served, distinct from the kitchen. Similarly, in movie theaters, FOH includes the areas where moviegoers purchase tickets, buy concessions, and await the start of their screenings.

1. Terms and Origins

Front of House (FOH) originates from the world of theater, including areas accessible to patrons, not including the stage and dressing rooms. While its exact origin remains uncertain, the term's roots can be traced back to ancient texts advising on theater site selection for audience comfort and acoustics. "Front" derives from Middle English, ultimately from Latin, while "house" refers to the theater itself.

2. Front of House Design

Front of House (FOH) design plays a critical role in creating welcoming and functional spaces across various settings. Whether in theaters, hospitality venues, or retail establishments, effective FOH design influences customer experiences and behaviors. It encompasses considerations such as layout, aesthetics, accessibility, and branding. In theaters and live music venues, FOH design aims to optimize audience comfort and engagement while also providing opportunities for advertising and concessions. Similarly, in hospitality and retail, FOH design influences customer perceptions, impacts sales, and contributes to brand identity. By prioritizing these elements, FOH design not only enhances the overall atmosphere but also supports revenue generation and customer satisfaction

In addition to these considerations, addressing space constraints is a fundamental aspect of FOH design in urban settings like New York City, where every square inch matters. Whether in theaters, restaurants, or retail stores, maximizing space utilization while maintaining functionality and customer comfort is essential. Innovative solutions and strategic planning are required to optimize FOH design within limited spatial parameters, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for patrons

3. Back of House (BOH)

"Back of House" (BOH) refers to the essential but unseen areas of a venue, where behind-the-scenes activities unfold. In theaters, BOH encompasses spaces dedicated to backstage operations, including prop management, costume design, stage set fabrication, and lighting control. Here, the BOH team works diligently to support performers and ensure the seamless execution of each production. This term extends beyond the realm of theater to various other industries such as hospitality and retail. In restaurants, the Back of House primarily comprises the kitchen area where cooking, dishwashing, and food prep take place. Additionally, it includes areas for storage, maintenance, and administrative offices—all vital components of the restaurant's operation that remain hidden from customer view. Similarly, in retail settings, the Back of House encompasses spaces dedicated to inventory management, administrative functions, and storage facilities, all of which contribute to the smooth functioning of the store.

4. Back of House (BOH) Design

Contrasting with the Front of House (FOH) area, the Back of House (BOH) is the operational heart of a venue, hidden from public view. BOH design prioritizes functionality, efficiency, and workflow optimization to support backstage activities and operational tasks.

In theaters and live music venues, BOH design focuses on facilitating seamless production processes, such as prop management, costume changes, and stage set fabrication. Considerations include storage space for props and equipment, dressing rooms for performers, and efficient layout to minimize movement during performances.

In hospitality settings, BOH design revolves around the kitchen area, where cooking, dishwashing, and food preparation occur. Key considerations include kitchen layout for workflow efficiency, storage solutions for ingredients and utensils, and safety standards compliance.

Similarly, in retail environments, BOH design encompasses areas dedicated to inventory management, administrative functions, and storage facilities. This includes stockrooms, staff offices, and back-office spaces essential for store operations.

Overall, BOH design contrasts with FOH design in its focus on functionality and operational efficiency, ensuring smooth behind-the-scenes operations to support the seamless delivery of services and experiences to customers

4. Operations, Roles, & Responsibilities

In any venue or establishment, both Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH) staff play integral roles in ensuring smooth operations and delivering exceptional customer experiences. FOH personnel, including the FOH manager, are primarily responsible for customer-facing activities. This includes greeting guests, managing seating arrangements, and attending to their needs throughout their visit. The FOH manager oversees FOH staff, ensuring efficient service delivery and maintaining a welcoming environment for patrons. Additionally, FOH personnel often handle customer inquiries, resolve issues, and coordinate with BOH staff to ensure timely service.

In contrast, BOH personnel work behind the scenes to support the operational needs of the venue. The BOH manager, for example, oversees kitchen operations in hospitality settings, ensuring food quality, safety, and adherence to regulations. BOH staff, such as chefs, cooks, and dishwashers, are responsible for food preparation, cooking, and dishwashing. In retail environments, BOH staff manage inventory, handle administrative tasks, and ensure the smooth functioning of back-office operations. Overall, effective coordination between FOH and BOH personnel is essential for delivering seamless customer experiences and maintaining operational efficiency in any venue or establishment.

In live venues, FOH operations extend beyond customer-facing roles to include sound operators who play a crucial role in delivering high-quality audio experiences to audiences. Sound operators, excluding monitor engineers, are typically positioned in a sectioned-off area at the front of the house, providing them with unobstructed listening and a clear view of the performance. From this position, they operate the main speaker system and show control consoles, ensuring optimal sound quality for the audience. The FOH speakers, which cover the audience area, are managed by the FOH desk, generating the main audio mix. In smaller venues, the FOH desk may also produce monitor mixes for onstage performers, while larger venues may have a separate mixing desk for monitor control. The system engineer is responsible for designing and implementing the FOH sound system, often separate from the mixing desk operator. The touring engineer is usually assisted by a house sound engineer familiar with the venue's installed system.

In contrast, BOH personnel work behind the scenes to support the operational needs of the venue. The BOH manager, for example, oversees kitchen operations in hospitality settings, ensuring food quality, safety, and adherence to regulations. BOH staff, such as chefs, cooks, and dishwashers, are responsible for food preparation, cooking, and dishwashing. In retail environments, BOH staff manage inventory, handle administrative tasks, and ensure the smooth functioning of back-office operations.

Overall, effective coordination between FOH and BOH personnel is essential for delivering seamless customer experiences and maintaining operational efficiency in any venue or establishment.

References

• Boon B. Working within the front-of-house/back-of-house boundary: Room attendants in the hotel guest room space. Journal of Management & Organization. 2007;13(2):160-174. doi:10.5172/jmo.2007.13.2.160
  • References other uses of "FOH"
• Kesson A. Playhouses, plays, and theater history: Rethinking the 1580s. Shakespeare Studies. 2017;45:19-40,10. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/playhouses-plays-theater-history-rethinking-1580s/docview/1944517760/se-
• Nicholas J. Thomas, Eric Brown & Lisa Y. Thomas (2017) Employee satisfaction and turnover intention: A comparative analysis between front-of-house and back-of-house employees in casino-entertainment venues, Journal of Human Resources in Hospitality & Tourism, 16:1, 71-87, DOI: 10.1080/15332845.2016.1202065
• "Risks of performing arts at theater venues." (2021) Arts and the Market. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/AAM-01-2020-0002/full/html ISSN: 2056-4945
  • References of when FOH is used

• "Front of House Management." (2021) Society of London Theatre. https://solt.co.uk/front-of-house-management/
  • This website has up-to-date resources and guidelines on front of house management, making it a source for industry standards and best practices.
• "The Role of Front of House Staff in Theatre." (2022) Backstage Jobs. https://www.backstagejobs.com/The-Role-of-Front-of-House-Staff-in-Theatre
  • This website offers insights into the role of front of house staff in theater, including job descriptions, responsibilities, and career paths.
• "Theatre Front of House: A Handbook for Staff and Volunteers." (2019) Theatrical Guild. https://www.theatricalguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TG-Front-of-House-Handbook.pdf -
  • Provides guidance on front of house staff and volunteers, and best practices for effective operations.
• "Front of House Management Training."(2023) International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). https://www.iavm.org/front-house-management-training
  • Used to enhance skills and knowledge in theater operation

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