I have posted about this before, but since our theater continues to grow and bring in new participants, patrons, and actors, I think it's time to revisit the idea of theater etiquette. What is acceptable for a move theater is very different (although, truth be told, it shouldn't be!) that what is acceptable for live theater...but unless you have really stopped to think about it, you may not realize it. The main difference is due to the fact that in live theater there are real people in real time performing for you, whereas in a movie it is pre-recorded. What this means is that the performers in a movie will not be distracted or interrupted by the reaction or action of the audience and their performance is the result of multiple takes, editing, and camera angles to bring you the best possible performance. In live theater, the real actors are right there in front of you, in real time and not only can they be distracted or interrupted, but they have only one chance at each show to bring you the best performance they possibly can. They don't get another "take" to get it right. So let's look another look at the etiquette expected from a live theater audience.
First and foremost: BE ON TIME. In most professional theaters, if you arrive after curtain (start) time, you will have to wait until intermission to be seated. Many community theaters will still try to seat you, but you may have to wait until a scene change/break in the action. However, even in a community theater you may not get to take your seat late if the house if full and your seats are located where it will create a great distraction to get to. We know you paid for a ticket, but so did everybody else and it is not fair to the other patrons or the actors to interrupt the whole show to help you find your assigned seat in the darkened theater. Most theaters cannot compete with the special effects and point of view created by movie magic, so it relies on the willing suspension of disbelief from its audience. Interrupting the flow of the show once it has started takes the audience out of the fantasy and makes it difficult to recapture the magic. Many theater also have a 10 minute policy for will-call tickets: if you haven't picked up your ticket by the 10 minutes to curtain mark, you ticket may be released and resold. The best solution is to simply plan ahead and make sure you arrive in plenty of time to find parking, use the restroom, hit concessions, and pick up your ticket.
Second, and another important point: TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE! Taking a call during a show is one of the rudest and most disrespectful things you can do in live theater. Not only does it show a total lack of respect for the patrons around you, but it also shows a disdain and disrespect for the actors on stage. Texts are no less rude. The noise and light of a cell phone is distracting to the show for both the audience and performers. And filming or photographing is also right out. Theaters and production companies sign contracts when the license show rights and these usually include a stipulation to not record the show. Even for marketing purposes, the rights to record even small sections are severely restricted. So not only is it distracting to other audience members and the cast of the show, it is also very likely illegal. Not to mention that it could be considered intellectual theft. (http://www.playbill.com/article/ask-playbillcom-why-cant-i-take-photos-in-a-broadway-theatre-com-180456 ) Some theaters are relaxing their pre-and post-show photography rules, but even then it is not okay to take pictures during the show. There have been instances in live theater where an actor has stopped the show to call-out a cell phone user. (http://people.com/celebrity/kevin-spacey-in-character-stops-show-to-scold-audience-member-for-ringing-cell-phone/ http://people.com/theater/glenn-close-stops-sunset-boulevard-photo/ ) I would say that is an inappropriate response, but day after day of audience disrespect can wear on an actor and sometimes enough is enough.) Suffice it to say: Don't be that person. Turn off your cell phone.
UNWRAP YOUR COUGH DROPS BEFORE THE SHOW. Unwrapping cough drops or candy is surprising loud when everyone around you is being quiet. Paper crinkling is an unwelcome distraction.
Along the same lines is: DON'T TALK ONCE THE PERFORMANCE HAS STARTED. The only noise in the theater should be coming from the stage (or speakers) as part of the show. Talking, unwrapping candy, squeezing your plastic water bottle...all of these things are distracting to the patrons around you and to the actors on stage. And along with don't talk; DON'T HUM OR SING ALONG WITH THE ACTORS unless they have asked you to. People around you paid good money to hear the actors perform. Buy the soundtrack and sing along in the car. In the theater it is just rude.
REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE BEHIND YOU. Leaning together and cuddling or wearing a large hat, or not sitting correctly in your seat blocks the view of the stage for the people behind you. Please remember to be courteous to other patrons; they want to see the show too.
I can't say I thought I would ever have to actually say this one, but based on actual experience, I must. DO NOT TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF IN THE THEATER. This is not your living room and removing your shoes is inappropriate and potentially offensive.
Theater etiquette basically comes down to common courtesy and common sense. If you take a moment to think about it, you won't have any trouble. Theater is a shared experience and a good audience member will do what they can to be a positive part of theater experience for themselves and everyone else.
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