When I was in Junior High School in the 80’s, our chorus put on three shows a year. Each time, the director would make a Playbill to hand out to the audience members. One of the features of these Playbills was a list of rules of common courtesy to be observed during the performance; theater etiquette theater etiquette (or how to behave). It is unbelievable to me that many adults don’t appear to have ever learned these rules.
For some reason, some people seem to forget that they are at a live performance, and not in their living rooms. We all know how crazy expensive Broadway has become: many people have to save for a long time and travel long distances to attend the theater. But even if they didn’t, theaters are small and enclosed public spaces, and people should respect one another!! The lack of consideration for others these days is deplorable! I know I am a cranky old lady, but I feel this needs to be said: stop being so selfish and treat others the way you would like to be treated!
I have been to three Broadway shows in the last two weeks that have inspired this rant. Since some people seem to require explicitly stated rules of theater etiquette (or how to behave), here are a few that I think are the most important:
FOOD CONSUMPTION
- Crinkling a bag of goodies is distracting for those around you. Open the bag before the show or during intermission, and put your treats in an easily accessible location like your pocket, hand, or lap so that you can quietly eat while you watch.
- If you need a cough drop in the middle of an act, wait to unwrap it until the applause at the end of a musical number or a scene change.
- Eating popcorn, chips or other crunchy foods during a show is infuriating for everyone else nearby. I have no idea why theaters started selling these kinds of snacks, but you really should finish them during intermission.
- Smacking your gum, chewing with your mouth open, chomping loudly, etc. is just rude and should not be done ever, let alone in a quiet space filled with people!
PHONE USAGE
For goodness sake people…almost all shows are less than three hours. Can’t you resist your phone for that small space on time and just live in the moment?!
- SILENCE your phone! There’s nothing worse than having to hear phones ringing while you are absorbed in a show. If you don’t feel it necessary to think of the audience members, think about the cast that is working hard to entertain a theater full of people and is interrupted by a ring tone!
- Texting, updating your facebook page, or whatever else you might be doing with your phone or Apple watch light on is just so disrespectful to everyone around you. We can see it from several rows away, you know!
PUNCTUALITY
- Of course there are emergencies that can’t be avoided, but try to come on time. You disturb everyone in your row and all of the rows behind you when you come in late.
PERSONAL SPACE
While attending live theater, nobody is really all that content with the size of their seat. These simple guidelines will help everybody feel just a little more comfortable
- Try to avoid bringing too many bags with you (and if you must, please check them!)
- Try not to kick the seat in front of you too often
- Don’t take up the full armrest; remember that divider is meant to give your neighbor a bit of much needed elbow room.
- Don’t swing your long hair around (or brush it!)…just EW!
- Save canoodling with your loved one for a more appropriate time. Remember, shows aren’t that long…this can wait an hour, no?!
- Go easy on the perfume and PLEASE wear deodorant!
STAY IN YOUR SEAT
- Unless it is a true emergency, you really should try to wait to vacate your seat until intermission or the end of the show. If you absolutely cannot wait, at least try to delay your departure until a scene change or applause after a musical number.
- I know some bridge and tunnel people need to rush out to catch their trains home, but it is so unfair to the actors and musicians to have to watch people leaving before the final curtain call! Don’t you think they deserve the full audience’s applause?! Catch a later train and show your appreciation for the company…it’s the right thing to do!
STAY QUIET
- DO NOT TALK! Just don’t! It’s RUDE!
- Also try not to sing (this one is hard for me though 😂)
KIDS
Kids are not allowed to be in theaters without a guardian. In my humble opinion (as an avid and lifelong fan of theater, and the mom of theater going twins), it is the responsibility of adults to teach their children theater etiquette (or how to behave). Children need to be taught to observe the rules of etiquette above. If they are not able to, their caregivers should remove them from the theater until they can.