From the shining lights of Broadway to the school auditorium down the street, attending the theater should be an exciting event. Everyone loves a little make-believe, right? Part of maintaining an immersive experience requires the audience to practice good etiquette and create a good environment for the show. Most people who attend theater productions even sporadically have stories of a performance ruined by someone in the audience. No one wants to be that person, but sometimes people aren’t sure what’s expected of them as an audience member. The following suggestions will prepare theater-goers to make sure they don’t become the evening’s main entertainment!
Dress Code
Very few theaters have a dress code of any sort beyond the typical “no shirt, no shoes, no service” rules. It’s not required to show up in a ball gown or dinner jacket. Most audiences are made up of people in all states of dress formality. Some people are wearing cocktail dresses and suits, others are wearing their Sunday best, and plenty of people are wearing jeans and comfortable shoes because their theater tickets were part of a busy day of sightseeing. Aiming for business casual is probably the best way to blend into the crowd.
What Time Should I Arrive?
At the very latest, arrive at the theater twenty minutes before the start time of the show. Make sure to check the ticket; don’t just assume the start time based on other shows or previous experiences. It takes time to go through the line, go to the right part of the auditorium to find the correct seat, and even more time is needed to use the restroom or get something from the concession stand. It’s essential to be seated when the lights go down. Some theaters won’t seat latecomers until there’s a break in the show where seating them won’t cause an undue distraction to the performers or other patrons.
When Can I Use My Cell Phone?
Cell phone use during live performances is a hot-button issue for performers. It’s a huge distraction for the people on the stage, and also for other audience members. Cell phones can also interfere with the theater’s sound equipment, meaning one person can ruin everyone’s night. All electronic devices, except for devices meant to make the theater more accessible to people with vision or hearing problems, should be placed on silent and put away by the time the lights go down.
Is It Okay to Talk During the Performance?
Some musicals and plays do have a time when the audience participates, and so of course it’s okay to talk (or sing!) during that time. That’s the only time it’s okay to talk. Never speak in a way that interrupts the show or sing along at musicals. The theater is a live, shared experience, and audience members who talk or sing ruin the experience of those sitting around them.
Is It Okay to Eat?
Historically, theaters have banned eating during a show. Over the last couple of decades, though, that’s changed. Some theaters still only allow food in the lobby. Check for signage near the concession stand. If food is okay, then by all means take it to enjoy during the show. Please try to get it unwrapped and ready before the lights dim so that others have to hear plastic unwrapping during the show!
Can I Get an Autograph?
When attending a show on Broadway, it’s traditional for people who want autographs to wait by the stage door, usually at the rear of the theater. This tradition is often also followed by traveling productions of Broadway plays and some local theaters do it as well. However, remember to be polite and understand that not all actors sign autographs or spend time with fans after the show. Don’t push or shove other fans. Stage door signings work best when everyone waits their turn.
If the Performance is Outside Do These Rules Still Apply?
Outdoor theater is more relaxed however, there are still some basic etiquette rules to follow. Fellow theater-goers are still there to hear the performers, not other members of the audience. Keep noisy pets at home and don’t play games or do other activities during the show. Don’t block other people’s views. People who smoke should walk away from the crowd so their smoke doesn’t blow into people’s faces. When the show is over, clean up. Some outdoor performances still do things like stage door, and those rules definitely still apply!
