Question- Describe an instance where you, as an audience member at a live production, broke one of these ettiquette rules (listed in the post below) OR some other violation that effected your enjoyment of the production. IF you haven't been to that many live productions recently, you may use a movie audience as your example.
-Tim
PS- sorry about the seperate blog posts. Blogspot is doin' some weird stuff of late!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Ettiquette
THEATRE ETIQUETTE-
1) ARRIVE EARLY- Always arrive at the theatre at least 15 minutes prior to the performance. This way, if the event is general admission seating (as many performances are) you can choose a good seat and don't get stuck with a bad view or behind the guy wearing the huge hat and the lady wearing ten pounds of perfume!
Also, coming in early allows you to enter the "world of the play" (which will be discussed in a future chapter of the text) by hearing pre-show music ,seeing the scenery, and having a bit of time to read your program.
Many theatres also will not allow you to enter once a performance is in progress, so always allow yourself enough time to make it.
2) TURN OFF YOU CELL PHONES!- This is a big one! You know how annoying it is to hear cell phones ringing in a movie? TWICE as bad in the theatre, as it not only throws the audience, but potentially interferes with the work of the performers. Turn them off, or at the very least, silence them.
3) NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEO TAPING- Should be self explanatory. Flash photography is a MAJOR distraction to both audience and performers alike, AND can be potentially dangerous to the performer (imagine momentarily blinding them and having them walk into a wall or off the stage! It can happen...)
Video taping is generally not allowed due to copyright laws, and it to can be terribly distracting for other audience members.
4) BRING CHILDREN TO AGE APPROPRIATE SHOWS ONLY- This one may be more of a personal issue, but age appropriate doesn't only refer to language and situations. How about LENGTH?very many five year olds who can sit still for two hour? Not me. There is PLENTY of great theatre for kids out there. Don't bore them to death with adult themes they can't yet comprehend. MANY is the adult who claims to hate theatre because he or she was drug to a three hour Shakespeare play when they were in the second grade. If it isn't appropriate for the kids, leave them at home. If you're not sure, call the theatre, and in most cases one of the staff can give you their opinion on age appropriateness.
5) DON'T LEAVE THE THEATRE IN MID-PERFORMANCE (unless absolutely necessary)- Most plays are divided into two acts, separated by a ten to fifteen minute intermission. Use this time to call home, take a bathroom break or stretch your legs.
6) TRY NOT TO TALK EXCESSIVELY - Sometimes you may want to discuss the show with a friend, but try to wait till intermission or AFTER the show to do this. Theatre is much more about LISTENING than seeing, and if you can't hear cause the guy next to you is jawing too loudly...
 |
| Working, the Musical- BCTC Summer 2007 |
(at left, a shot of BCTC's summer production of WORKING the musical)
When a person goes to the Theatre, it is a different experience than, say, going to a movie or a sporting event. One isn't just a PASSIVE participant, but an active one. However, there are some guidelines that should be followed that those who don't often frequent the Theatre might not know. Here is a list of some items we might file under "Theatre Etiquette". Please note that these guidelines are NOT to suggest that Theatre is some stiff, upper-crust experience and that one must behave like a church mouse. Quite the contrary. But, in order for the LIVE theatre experience to unfold as it should, and to ensure that both audience and actors alike have a pleasing experience, these guidelines are good ones to follow.
1) ARRIVE EARLY- Always arrive at the theatre at least 15 minutes prior to the performance. This way, if the event is general admission seating (as many performances are) you can choose a good seat and don't get stuck with a bad view or behind the guy wearing the huge hat and the lady wearing ten pounds of perfume!
Also, coming in early allows you to enter the "world of the play" (which will be discussed in a future chapter of the text) by hearing pre-show music ,seeing the scenery, and having a bit of time to read your program.
Many theatres also will not allow you to enter once a performance is in progress, so always allow yourself enough time to make it.
2) TURN OFF YOU CELL PHONES!- This is a big one! You know how annoying it is to hear cell phones ringing in a movie? TWICE as bad in the theatre, as it not only throws the audience, but potentially interferes with the work of the performers. Turn them off, or at the very least, silence them.
3) NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEO TAPING- Should be self explanatory. Flash photography is a MAJOR distraction to both audience and performers alike, AND can be potentially dangerous to the performer (imagine momentarily blinding them and having them walk into a wall or off the stage! It can happen...)
Video taping is generally not allowed due to copyright laws, and it to can be terribly distracting for other audience members.
4) BRING CHILDREN TO AGE APPROPRIATE SHOWS ONLY- This one may be more of a personal issue, but age appropriate doesn't only refer to language and situations. How about LENGTH?very many five year olds who can sit still for two hour? Not me. There is PLENTY of great theatre for kids out there. Don't bore them to death with adult themes they can't yet comprehend. MANY is the adult who claims to hate theatre because he or she was drug to a three hour Shakespeare play when they were in the second grade. If it isn't appropriate for the kids, leave them at home. If you're not sure, call the theatre, and in most cases one of the staff can give you their opinion on age appropriateness.
5) DON'T LEAVE THE THEATRE IN MID-PERFORMANCE (unless absolutely necessary)- Most plays are divided into two acts, separated by a ten to fifteen minute intermission. Use this time to call home, take a bathroom break or stretch your legs.
6) TRY NOT TO TALK EXCESSIVELY - Sometimes you may want to discuss the show with a friend, but try to wait till intermission or AFTER the show to do this. Theatre is much more about LISTENING than seeing, and if you can't hear cause the guy next to you is jawing too loudly...
7) RESPOND APPROPRIATELY- Actors live for audience response, but only if it's appropriate. If someone is in the midst of pouring out their soul in a dramatic monologue, and someone in the audience starts laughing, this can be very frustrating for audience and actor alike. We love it when we get laughs, but preferably in the right places.
8) HAVE A GOOD TIME / SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF- We'll discuss suspension of disbelief in detail later in Ch 1, but suffice it to say it involves letting go and accepting the world of the play. If you can get past the feeling that "it's only a play", Theatre can be a very real, visceral experience for you. Above all, enjoy your time at the Theatre. Theatre is, at its core, a celebration of life. Open up your senses, dive in and enjoy yourself.
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