Theater etiquette

Education has to be the key ... let people know it's not OK to use cell phones or to text during or performance, or for that matter, to photograph or video with those small cameras. At our small community theater, we play a prerecorded message before each production welcoming them to the theater and reminding them to turn off cellphones and that picture taking or videoing is not permitted by copyright law. It works for us, and I hope it can work for others. :)
 
I once went to see Wicked when it was on tour, and there was a lady behind be who was completely drunk, and during "I'm Not That Girl" (a ballad) she was screaming swear words, standing, and yelling at the actress, and the people in the house, swearing and cussing and screaming.

The actress on stage just kept going, and didn't break character. Finally, the woman was escorted out and the actress finished her song without a flinch.

She got a minute and a half standing ovation.
 
Our directors usually start by telling everyone to turn their cell phones completely off because if left on, they will interfere with our microphones. We've never had radio interference issues, but I'd say that distractions from a ringing cell phone are a form of interference!

There are a select few people that legitimately need to be on call. Hopefully they can sit near the exit and be able to leave as soon as the call comes. Everyone else (including myself) should leave their beeping devices in the car!
 
I still maintain that a group in NZ called "The Naked Samoans" had the best cell announcement I've ever heard. It ran something like:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this evening's performance by the Naked Samoans. Please be aware that we are operating a cellphone jamming device; if your cellphone rings, a large Samoan will jam your phone where the sun don't shine. So for your own safety, please switch them off!"

Worked like a charm...
 
Best one I had was at a conference dinner, a lady was on her phone, then, when she got up, had the nerve to tell us that our talking was distracting her, and she couldn't hear the speaker because of it (we were behind her). Our fix was to cue the camera up on her, and if she came over again, to put it on all the screens around the venue.
 
I've worked in places that actually said they reserve the right to eject you from the house if they catch you on your phone. They made good on their promise, and the issue became quite a bit less annoying. We covered our butts by putting a notice in the program, outside each set of doors to the house and, at one point, even on the ticket stub.

Movie theatres do it, why can't we.
 
I once went to see Wicked when it was on tour, and there was a lady behind be who was completely drunk, and during "I'm Not That Girl" (a ballad) she was screaming swear words, standing, and yelling at the actress, and the people in the house, swearing and cussing and screaming.

The actress on stage just kept going, and didn't break character. Finally, the woman was escorted out and the actress finished her song without a flinch.

She got a minute and a half standing ovation.

I've had this happen to me, except I was the SM. We were in a panic for over a month that we would see legal papers. We never did, thank goodness.
 
I've had this happen to me, except I was the SM. We were in a panic for over a month that we would see legal papers. We never did, thank goodness.

I don't think there's ever any legal recourse for someone escorted out of a venue (or any public establishment, for that matter) as a result of their blatant disregard for the rules. You're not legally obligated to let them see the show if they violate the rules, just like a restaurant doesn't have to serve you if you start a food fight. In the future, I don't think you have anything to worry about :).

Movie theatres do it, why can't we.

No one said ya couldn't. I believe it's up to the individual buisness owner/operator. Of course, if you are not within this kind of decision-making authority, you will want to clear it with the theatre company's management beforehand as to what you can and cannot due (to keep you out of hot water with the theatre company).

A disclaimer in the lobby/program/curtain speech still isn't a bad idea --- at least everyone will be on the same page as far as expectations are concerned. Be sure to include the phrase "without refund".
 

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