Theater Etiquette

Etiquette:  the customary code of polite behavior in a society.

    Polite behavior in the theatre is different than going to the movies or watching TV because the performers are actually there in front of you and can hear and see what you do.  In live theatre, whether it’s a play, an instrumental or a vocal music concert, or a live presentation, your response is what helps to create the experience.  You, the audience,  are watching and helping to create something unique.

So, here are some basic rules of theatre etiquette:

1. Be on time.  Entering the theatre late (when allowed) disrupts the performers and the rest of the audience.
2. Keep your feet on the floor, not on the seat in front of you.
3. Go to the bathroom before the show or at intermission.  Leaving your seat during the performance disrupts the people on stage as well as other audience members.  If you must leave before intermission, wait till the end of a scene or piece of music, or a moment of applause, then plan to wait till the usher finds an appropriate time to let you be reseated.
4. Give your full attention to what is happening on stage.  Don’t talk, whisper, sing, or hum during the performance unless asked to do so.
5. Do not eat, drink, or chew gum in the theatre.  Everyone likes popcorn during the movies, but in the theatre we save the snacks for intermission.
6. Turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, watch alarms, and other electronic devices.
7. Do not use cameras or video recorders during a performance.
8. At the end of a performance, wait for the curtain call and give the performers enthusiastic applause.  However, shouting, whooping,  and whistling should be saved for rock concerts, but not live theatre.  After curtain call (when the house lights come back up) is the appropriate time to exit the theatre.

Revised 8/19/04