front-of-house staff; theatre staff dealing with the audience
Refers to theatre staff who interact directly with the audience, such as ticket-takers, ushers, and programme sellers. Contrasts with 裏方 (backstage staff).
See also: 裏方
She works as front-of-house staff at the theatre, guiding the audience.
裏方 refers to unseen support staff, while 表方 refers to the staff who appear in front of the audience or customers.
Compound of 表 (front, public side) and 方 (person, role). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally used in theatre contexts.