Theater etiquette

[mixmaster]

We have one performance series here on campus that ALL freshmen and sophomores are required to attend a certain number of events each semester for their first 4 semesters. The rules are posted in the handbook, on line, and on poster around campus. Minimum dress code of business casual is advertised, and enforced. To me business casual would be like dockers and a pollo or something. It amazes me that despite all this we still have sophomores show up to these events in torn jeans t-shirts, flipflops, and once barefoot!!! Sophomores!! It's not like the rules should be a surprise by that point. We also advertise and announce that cell phone use will not be tolerated, and yet we routinely confiscate 5 to 10 cell phones each night. What does a college student have going on that is so critical it can't wait a couple hours till the end of the show?? And then they get mad at our ushers like it's the usher doing something wrong. I think the worst though was a group of students who showed up for a concert 20 minutes late, expecting to get front row seats (and full credit) for the evening. Their excuse was that it took longer to get from supper to the show than they expected. Really??? Its less half a block, through an underground tunnel.
How hard is it to plan an evening, dress appropriately, and leave your cell phone in you pocket for 2 hours?
Course, what can I expect, we had an honor society induction last week. One of the parents of the inductees had his laptop on the whole event, typing stuff. Another parent was taking flash photos all through the show even before the event started. That's setting a good example for your kids

[tech2000]

It's kind of like how at my school most of the students come in and put their feet up on the seats in front of them. We have to place several of our techs foh to act as ushers and tell them to keep their feet down.

[Sayen]

I had an actor drop a phone onstage, and rumors of an actor texting onstage during a crowd scene. It's not just the audience.

An improv show I attended recently had the announcement to please not answer your phone - if someone was dying, they'd still be dead after the show, so no rush.

[tech2000]

Originally Posted by Sayen

An improv show I attended recently had the announcement to please not answer your phone - if someone was dying, they'd still be dead after the show, so no rush.

Nice! That is true I guess...

[chris325]

A major issue with high school theatre is the problem that most of the shows we do don't include the right to videotape them. Audience members violate this all the time, and if part of a show got on Youtube or anywhere else, it could destroy our theatre program.

As for the flash photagraphy, I once worked a show performed by middle schoolers where apparently the photographer hadn't managed to get pictures of the show during rehersal, so she simply took them all during a show in front of an in-school audience. (The director of this show also took a five minute intermission and made it a half-hour, just so she could finish some raffle.)

But I digress.

[misterm]

Originally Posted by chris325

A major issue with high school theatre is the problem that most of the shows we do don't include the right to videotape them. Audience members violate this all the time, and if part of a show got on Youtube or anywhere else, it could destroy our theatre program.

Part of my pre-show speech has something about this in a humorous, yet informative manner. I remind them that all flash photography and video recoeding is completely forbidden, then "not only is it highly illegal, it is also distracting to the actors and the only thing worse than a lawsuit is an angry diva." I have yet to have any problems with it. My other one I stole from a small theatre in Smyrna, TN that had incredible pre-show announcements with video and all. After reminding the audience to turn off their cell phones et all, "If you are unsure as how to do so, please consult the nearest teenager and they will be glad to help you." I've always wanted to do the "please turn off or remove all distractions such as cell phones, pagers, iPods, or small children." but no joy. still need the revenue.

[derekleffew]

"May I have your attention please? Will the owner of a 1988 Oldsmobile ... please get a better car. Thank you."

[ruinexplorer]

Yes, cellphones (do we still need to mention pagers?) and cellophane (candy wrappers) equals WMD - Weapons of Mass Disruption.

When they opened a large multi-purpose road-house in downtown Phoenix, one of the 70-year old choreographers that I worked with went on a 15 minute tirade about the concessions. Since they host everything from fights to concerts to children's shows, they have the ballpark style concession stand selling hot dogs and nachos and allow it all into the theater. The seating isn't much different from a ballpark either so it can handle the abuse, but it can be more than a little distracting during a Broadway style show (which they only get the smaller tours because the big tours promoters hate the theater). Maybe this is the reason the friend in the article was so confused with the difference between theater and a baseball game.

[TimMiller]

I was assistant LD for second baptist churches "christmas at the toyota center". It is the first church service that i had seen in which people were eating popcorn, and a few people had beer. Part of renting out the venue is that their concession stands will be open.

[Grommet]

We had one show where the preshow announcements was acted out by 2 actors who were security guards in the show. and they plucked out another planted actor.

In a different student directed show at last minute one of the actors made a full size cardboard cellphone costume. And walked on stage during the preshow shouting "HEY KELLY, YOUR BOY FRIEND IS CALLING...ARE YOU GOING TO ANSWER?!" it was one of the funniest things and fit the show (Can't take it with you) quite nicely.

There was a guy about 2 rows down who not only answered his phone multiple times but was aware of it and crouching down under his coat. I could hear him say that he was in the middle of a show. I have never had the urge to smack some one ever before.


i always remove my cell battery. always.