The South African State Theatre has announced 50 temporary, call-basis employment opportunities for job seekers with Matric and relevant experience.
The latest Front of House recruitment call includes 10 Kitchen Assistants, 15 Bartenders, 15 Ushers and 10 Waiters/Waitresses. All four advertisements list 13 October 2026 as the closing date.
These opportunities may be particularly relevant to applicants with experience in hospitality, restaurants, bars, theatres, events, customer service or food service.
Matric is the core academic requirement across all four positions, while relevant diplomas are listed as advantageous rather than compulsory.
Applicants should pay close attention to the experience requirements because the vacancies generally require one to two years of relevant experience.
South African State Theatre Jobs 2026: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | South African State Theatre |
| Department | Front of House |
| Positions | Kitchen Assistants, Bartenders, Ushers, Waiters/Waitresses |
| Total Posts | 50 |
| Employment Period | Temporary – Call Basis |
| Reporting To | Front of House Manager |
| Minimum Qualification | Matric |
| Experience | Generally 1–2 years relevant experience |
| Location | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| Application Method | |
| Application Email | jobs@statetheatre.co.za |
| Closing Date | 13 October 2026 |
50 Temporary Opportunities Across Four Job Categories
The 50 opportunities are divided across four Front of House functions:
- 10 Kitchen Assistants
- 15 Bartenders
- 15 Ushers
- 10 Waiters/Waitresses
Although all four positions form part of the broader Front of House recruitment drive, applicants should not assume that the requirements are identical.
The type of experience requested differs according to the position.
Someone with restaurant kitchen experience, for example, may be more appropriately matched to the Kitchen Assistant vacancies, while candidates with theatre ushering experience should consider the Usher positions.
Read the requirements for your chosen vacancy carefully before applying.
Kitchen Assistants – X10 Posts
The State Theatre is recruiting 10 Kitchen Assistants to support chefs and contribute to the effective operation of the kitchen.
The position involves assisting chefs with food orders and meal preparation, particularly when the kitchen becomes busy.
Kitchen Assistants will also be expected to maintain cleanliness and support basic kitchen operations.
Kitchen Assistant Responsibilities
Successful candidates will be responsible for duties including:
- Assisting chefs with food orders.
- Helping with meal ingredient preparation.
- Keeping kitchen surfaces clean.
- Keeping refrigerators clean, tidy and neat.
- Maintaining an organised kitchen environment.
- Ensuring dishes used by patrons are properly washed and cleaned.
- Supporting chefs during busy periods.
Kitchen work can be physically demanding and fast-paced, making teamwork, reliability and the ability to follow instructions particularly important.
Kitchen Assistant Requirements
Applicants need:
- Matric.
- 1–2 years’ previous experience as a Kitchen Assistant in a restaurant kitchen.
A Diploma in Culinary Services is listed as advantageous.
Applicants should also demonstrate:
- Good people skills.
- Good communication skills.
- Professionalism.
- Punctuality.
- Reliability.
- Teamwork.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment.
Bartenders – X15 Posts
The second category consists of 15 temporary Bartender positions.
Bartenders will work within the Front of House environment and assist patrons purchasing drinks, snacks and food from the theatre’s bars.
This is a customer-facing position requiring both service skills and accurate handling of bar responsibilities.
Bartender Responsibilities
Successful applicants will be expected to:
- Assist patrons purchasing drinks.
- Assist customers purchasing snacks or food.
- Provide customer service at the bar.
- Ensure the bar is cashed up correctly.
- Keep the bar clean.
- Maintain a neat and tidy working environment.
Cash-up responsibilities mean applicants should be comfortable working accurately and responsibly.
Bartender Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Matric.
- 1–2 years’ previous experience working as a Bartender in a restaurant or bar.
A Diploma in Theatre Studies is listed as advantageous.
Candidates should also have strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, reliability and teamwork.
Ushers – X15 Posts
The State Theatre is also recruiting 15 Ushers.
Unlike the food and beverage positions, this role is primarily focused on assisting theatre patrons and supporting Front of House operations before, during and after performances.
Ushers play an important role in creating an organised and welcoming theatre experience.
Usher Responsibilities
According to the supplied advertisement, Ushers will:
- Assist patrons arriving from the parking area to locate the foyer.
- Assist patrons with their tickets.
- Scan tickets.
- Help patrons locate their seats.
- Usher patrons into the theatre once doors open.
- Close theatre doors when performances begin.
- Monitor the venue during performances.
- Prepare for intervals where applicable.
- Help patrons navigate the theatre.
- Conduct an evening sweep of rows and seats after performances.
- Look for lost property.
- Check for glasses and rubbish after performances.
This is a highly customer-facing role.
Candidates should therefore be comfortable interacting with members of the public and assisting people in a professional manner.
Usher Requirements
Applicants require:
- Matric.
- 1–2 years’ previous experience working as an Usher in a theatre.
A Diploma in Theatre Studies is advantageous.
Applicants should also demonstrate good people and communication skills, professionalism, punctuality, reliability and the ability to work effectively within a team.
Waiters and Waitresses – X10 Posts
The final category consists of 10 Waiter/Waitress positions.
Successful applicants will assist and host restaurant patrons while contributing to a positive customer experience.
The position combines food and beverage service with customer interaction and restaurant floor responsibilities.
Waiter/Waitress Responsibilities
Successful candidates will be expected to:
- Seat patrons in the restaurant.
- Take food orders.
- Take beverage orders.
- Ensure orders reach patrons timeously.
- Regularly check that patrons are being properly assisted.
- Maintain a clean restaurant floor.
- Keep the restaurant environment tidy and neat.
Candidates should therefore be comfortable interacting with customers throughout their visit.
Waiter/Waitress Requirements
Applicants require:
- Matric.
- 1–2 years’ previous experience working as a Waiter or Waitress in a restaurant.
A Diploma in Hospitality is listed as advantageous.
Required competencies include:
- Good people skills.
- Communication skills.
- Professionalism.
- Punctuality.
- Reliability.
- Teamwork.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Matric Applicants Should Understand “Required” vs “Advantageous”
One of the most important aspects of these vacancies is the distinction between a required qualification and an advantageous qualification.
For all four job categories, Matric is listed as the required academic qualification.
The additional diplomas are described as advantageous.
| Position | Required | Advantageous |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Assistant | Matric | Diploma in Culinary Services |
| Bartender | Matric | Diploma in Theatre Studies |
| Usher | Matric | Diploma in Theatre Studies |
| Waiter/Waitress | Matric | Diploma in Hospitality |
Therefore, applicants should not automatically reject themselves because they do not have one of these diplomas.
However, the relevant experience requirements still matter.
For example, a candidate applying for the Kitchen Assistant position should pay attention to the requirement for previous restaurant kitchen experience rather than focusing only on the fact that Matric is accepted.
Relevant Experience Could Be the Deciding Factor
Across these vacancies, education is only one part of the requirements.
Relevant experience is another.
Kitchen Assistant applicants should demonstrate restaurant kitchen experience.
Bartender applicants should highlight previous experience working behind a bar or in a relevant restaurant environment.
Usher applicants should demonstrate relevant theatre ushering experience.
Waiter and Waitress applicants should highlight restaurant service experience.
Your CV should make this information immediately visible.
Don’t force the recruiter to search through several pages before discovering that you have the required experience.
Temporary and Call-Basis Employment: What Does It Mean?
Applicants should pay particular attention to the employment arrangement.
These positions are described as temporary and call basis.
They should therefore not be confused with ordinary permanent full-time employment.
Call-basis work may depend on operational requirements and theatre activities.
Applicants should approach the opportunity with a clear understanding that the positions are temporary.
The information supplied does not guarantee a fixed number of working hours, permanent employment or conversion into permanent State Theatre positions.
Working in a Theatre Environment
A theatre requires much more than performers on stage.
Behind every performance is a broader operational environment involving Front of House employees, technical teams, administration, hospitality services, customer service and other supporting functions.
These vacancies provide an opportunity for experienced hospitality and customer service workers to operate within that environment.
For someone interested in the creative industries, it can also provide exposure to the operational side of a theatre.
Customer Service Matters Across All Four Positions
Although the individual responsibilities differ, there is one clear theme across these jobs:
People matter.
Kitchen Assistants need to work effectively with chefs and colleagues.
Bartenders interact directly with customers.
Ushers guide and assist theatre patrons.
Waiters and Waitresses spend much of their working time serving restaurant customers.
Applicants should therefore take the interpersonal requirements seriously.
Professionalism, communication, reliability and teamwork should not simply appear as keywords on your CV. Where possible, your employment history should demonstrate them.
How to Prepare Your CV
Your CV should be tailored to the specific vacancy you are applying for.
If you are applying for Kitchen Assistant, emphasise:
- Kitchen experience.
- Food preparation assistance.
- Cleaning.
- Dishwashing.
- Restaurant experience.
- Teamwork.
Bartender applicants can highlight:
- Bartending experience.
- Customer service.
- Bar operations.
- Cash handling.
- Cash-up responsibilities.
- Food and beverage service.
Usher applicants can emphasise:
- Theatre experience.
- Ticket scanning.
- Customer assistance.
- Venue operations.
- Crowd or audience assistance.
- Front of House experience.
Waiter and Waitress applicants can highlight:
- Restaurant experience.
- Taking orders.
- Food service.
- Beverage service.
- Customer service.
- Table or floor service.
Keep your information truthful and relevant.
Salary and Benefits
The supplied advertisements do not specify remuneration for these four temporary positions.
Applicants should therefore avoid relying on unofficial salary figures.
| Salary and Benefits | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary/Hourly Rate | Not specified |
| Employment | Temporary – call basis |
| Medical Aid | Not specified |
| Pension Fund | Not specified |
| Life Insurance | Not specified |
| Disability Cover | Not specified |
| Employee Wellness | Not specified |
| Bonuses | Not specified |
| Paid Leave | Not specified |
| Training Opportunities | Not specified |
Candidates should confirm remuneration and applicable employment conditions through the appropriate recruitment process.
Career Opportunities in Hospitality and the Creative Industries
Temporary work can still provide useful professional experience.
Depending on qualifications and future opportunities, candidates may eventually explore careers in areas such as:
- Hospitality.
- Food and beverage services.
- Restaurant operations.
- Culinary services.
- Events.
- Tourism.
- Customer service.
- Theatre operations.
- Front of House management.
- Performing arts administration.
- Venue management.
Additional qualifications through universities, TVET colleges and other recognised training providers may support longer-term career development.
How to Apply
Applications are being accepted by email.
Applicants should submit their applications to:
Because there are four different categories of positions, candidates should make it clear which vacancy they are applying for.
Review your CV before submitting it and ensure that your relevant experience is easy to identify.
Applicants should also follow any additional instructions contained in the original State Theatre vacancy advertisement.
Application Tips Before You Press Send
Before submitting your application, check:
- Is your contact number correct?
- Is your email address professional and active?
- Does your CV clearly show Matric?
- Have you clearly shown your relevant experience?
- Is it obvious which position you are applying for?
- Have you checked your spelling?
- Have you followed the application instructions?
- Are your documents readable?
Most importantly, don’t claim experience that you do not have.
The employer has provided different experience requirements for the four positions, so your application should accurately reflect your background.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many State Theatre jobs are available?
There are 50 temporary opportunities across the four job categories.
How many Kitchen Assistant positions are available?
There are 10 Kitchen Assistant posts.
How many Bartender positions are available?
There are 15 Bartender posts.
How many Usher positions are available?
There are 15 Usher posts.
How many Waiter/Waitress positions are available?
There are 10 Waiter/Waitress posts.
Where are the jobs based?
The positions are based at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, Gauteng.
Do I need Matric?
Yes. Matric is listed as the qualification requirement across the four positions.
Do I need a diploma?
The relevant diplomas are listed as advantageous rather than compulsory in the supplied advertisements.
Do I need previous experience?
Yes. The advertisements generally require 1–2 years of relevant experience, with the type of experience depending on the position.
Are these permanent jobs?
No. The positions are described as temporary, call-basis opportunities.
What is the salary?
The supplied advertisements do not specify the salary.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted by email to jobs@statetheatre.co.za.
When is the closing date?
Applications close on 13 October 2026.
Apply for the 50 South African State Theatre Jobs Before 13 October 2026
The South African State Theatre Front of House recruitment drive provides 50 temporary employment opportunities across hospitality, food service, customer service and theatre operations.
There are:
10 Kitchen Assistants.
15 Bartenders.
15 Ushers.
10 Waiters/Waitresses.
All four positions require Matric, while the relevant diplomas are advantageous rather than compulsory.
However, applicants should not overlook the experience requirements. The advertisements generally ask for one to two years of relevant experience for the specific position.
If you qualify, prepare a targeted CV that makes your relevant experience immediately visible and submit your application according to the advertised instructions.
The deadline is 13 October 2026.
With 50 opportunities available, there may be several positions to consider — but the best application is not necessarily the longest one.
It is the one that clearly shows the recruiter:
I have Matric. I have the relevant experience. I understand the role. And I meet the requirements.
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