By day, Tracy B. Cobb works as the coding and compliance coordinator in the radiology department at Southern Regional Health System in Riverdale. At night, her life is a lot more dramatic.
When she’s not at work, Cobb, RT (R), can often be found near a stage. She’s a regular usher at the Fox Theatre, the Alliance Theatre, Hertz Stage at the Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, OnStage Atlanta and Atlanta Symphony Hall. She’s also worked at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, and is considering adding the Shakespeare Tavern to her list.
“My older brother took me to my first play at Clayton State University when I was about 9. It was ‘Camelot,’ and I was hooked. I’ve always loved plays and music,” said Cobb, who has worked as a radiologic technologist at Southern Regional since 2007.
Cobb played clarinet in her high school band, but was terrified of getting on stage in front of people.
Having two children and becoming president of the PTA helped her overcome that fear. She enjoyed taking her kids to plays and concerts.
When her daughter turned 9, she wanted to try out for a local production with the Main Street Players in Griffin. Cobb supported her daughter with acting lessons, took her to rehearsals and even played a bit part in “Annie” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
For years, she had season tickets with several theater companies.
“But play-going can be kind of expensive,” she said. “A good seat at The Fox can be $80, so I found a cheaper way to get my drama fix and support the arts.”
Cobb began ushering in 2003. During the fall and winter, she volunteers as often as three or four nights a week.
“Sometimes on a Saturday, I’ll take in two performances: a matinee at The Fox and then walk down the street to The Alliance or the symphony at night,” she said. “I figure, ‘Why not?’ I’m already wearing my black-and-white usher outfit.”
Seeing shows for free
Ushering isn’t always the easiest way to watch a production.
“At a soldout performance at The Fox, there will be 5,000 people and it can be difficult getting everyone seated, especially when people come late,” Cobb said.
At the Fox, ushers are off-duty 10 minutes after intermission and may stay and watch the rest of the show.
“We can sit in a seat at the back if there is one, or single file on the stairs. I’ve stood on a stool in the balcony to see a performance,” she said.
And Cobb has the memories to prove it. “One of my favorites was ‘Gut Bucket Blues’ at Theatrical Outfit about Bessie Smith. The singing was amazing; it gave me chills,” she said.
Ushering has been Cobb’s ticket to see such popular productions as “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” “Wicked” and “Celtic Thunder.” Recently, she heard talks by Stephen King and John Mellencamp at a patron and volunteer appreciation night at The Alliance Theatre.
As an usher, Cobb has seen performers rehearse before the curtain goes up, including a tap dancer who burned up the boards for 20 minutes one night. “He was amazing,” she said.
Cobb still buys tickets to see shows with family and friends.
“We’ll go out to dinner before or afterward to discuss the performance,” she said. “Last summer, a group of us rented a couple of rooms at The Georgian Terrace and went to the ‘Sex in the City’ movie party at The Fox. One friend had decorated her shoes for the shoe contest to benefit charity, and she was one of the top 10 winners.”
Cobb sometimes ushers with her children or longtime friends. At more intimate theaters, the ushers become like family, she said. Last year, she marched in the Little Five Points Halloween Parade with friends from OnStage Atlanta.
Cobb finds the variety of dramatic experiences uplifting and energizing.
“The arts really stretch your mind. I can’t wait to go into work the next day and tell people about what I saw,” she said. “It makes me a richer person.”
