Guide to Theater Etiquette for School Shows PLEASE READ THIS TO YOUR STUDENTS A live presentation has not been pre-recorded, with the mistakes edited out. This makes it riskier for the performer and more exciting for the audience. It also means that the audience makes a real contribution to the overall experience. Each audience member affects those around them as well as the performer. The more the audience “gives” to the performer, the more the performer can give to the audience. It is because of the impact the audience has on the performers and on the performance that the following guidelines are suggested:

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Please be on time.

♦ If you are driving a long distance to get to the theater, allow plenty of extra time for using the bathrooms, before the show begins. ♦ No food, including gum, or beverages are allowed in the theater. If it is a quiet moment on stage, even unwrapping a mint or candy can be disruptive to the people around you. ♦ No backpacks are allowed in the theater. Hats must be removed. ♦ Please don’t talk during a performance. Remember that the people near you and on stage can hear you. ♦ Keep your feet off chairs around you. ♦ If you need to use the restroom during a performance, wait until the intermission, between musical pieces, scene changes or an obvious break in the performance. ♦ Cameras and other electronic/recording devices are not allowed in the theater. ♦ Traditionally, during classical music performances, applause is withheld until the entire piece is finished. However, some classical performers prefer to be recognized with applause between movements. Audience members should use good judgment, if they are unsure of the protocol. ♦ Always be respectful of the performers on stage, the ushers and the other members of the audience. ♦ Schools must have at least one chaperone per 20 students. If you need assistance during a performance, please ask an usher to help you.

Guide to Theater Etiquette

A live presentation has not been pre-recorded, with the mistakes edited out. This makes it riskier for the performer and more exciting for the audience. It also means that the audience has a real contribution to make to the overall experience. Each audience member affects those around them as well as the performer. The more the audience “gives” to the performer, the more the performer can give to the audience. It is because of this impact that the audience has on the performers and on the performance that the following guidelines are suggested.

♦ Please be on time. ♦ Allow plenty of extra time for using the restrooms, before the show begins, if you are driving a long distance to get to the theater. ♦

Beverages and candy are allowed inside the theater for evening performances. Please be thoughtful of those seated around you. If it is a quiet moment on stage, even unwrapping a mint or candy can be disruptive to the people around you. Please dispense of your cups and wrappers in the provided trash bins.

♦ Hats should be removed. ♦ No talking during a performance. ♦ No feet on the seats. ♦ If you need to use the restroom during a performance, wait until the intermission, between musical pieces, scene changes or an obvious break in the performance. ♦ Cameras and other electronic/recording devices are not allowed in the theater. ♦ Traditionally, during classical music performances, applause is withheld until the entire piece is finished. However, some classical performers prefer to be recognized with applause between movements. Audience members should use good judgment if they are unsure of the protocol. ♦ Always be respectful of the performers on stage, the ushers and the other members of the audience. ♦ Please ask an usher to help you if you need assistance during a performance.

Guide to Theater Etiquette

Going to see a dance company or other performance groups in a theater can be a magical, memorable event for audience members and performers alike. Inappropriate behavior on the part of an audience member can, however, not only distract the dancers or performers on stage, but can prevent other members of the audience from enjoying the show. You can talk about, or demonstrate through role-play the following DO’S and DON’TS of theater behavior or etiquette. 1. Applause: Do’s: Don’ts:

Clapping, “Bravo” (at end of performance or act) Boo, hisses, rock concert audience behavior

Excessive noise making, especially at inappropriate times, is very distracting and disrespectful to the performers. It is advisable to simply hold applause if one dislikes a performance or performer. 2. Food:

Do’s: Don’ts:

A focused and undistracted audience member Crunching, chewing, noise, wrappers, spilling, distractions

Theaters do not allow food in the seating areas. In the lobby, refreshments are often served during intermission, before and after the performance, and are to be consumed in the lobby. At the ABT refreshments are not served at school shows. 3. Talking:

Do’s: Making a note on a program of something you want to remember to tell your friend about the performance after it’s over; waiting until intermission or the end of a performance to speak. Don’ts: Whispering with companions, shushing, discussions about performance during it.

4. Dress:

Do’s: Dressing nicely as a sign of respect to the artists and the theater Don’ts: Big hats, jiggly bracelets. It is difficult to see over someone with a big hat on. It can also be very distracting to hear jewelry jiggling during a performance.

5. Tapes/Cameras: Do’s: Enjoyment of the performance, picking up a playbill that gives information about the performers and the performance. For school shows a Study Guide is sent to the contact teacher at each attending school with this information Don’ts: Flashes during picture taking; video/audio taping of any kind. Photographs and/or audio and video taping are not allowed in the theater not only because they are distracting to the performers, but because it is considered an infringement on their rights as theatrical (live) performers. The performer has a right to be in control of when his/her picture is taken, and how it is used. 6. Bus:

Do’s: Remembering bus number, staying with group, backpacks are not allowed in the theater so check with the bus driver if you can leave it in the bus. Don’ts: Hanging out the window, yelling: Throwing out food wrappers; standing inside the bus.

Obvious safety precautions and courtesy to the driver are noted here.

What’s Appropriate:

Name the behaviors that are appropriate for each event in the column below it: Football Game Dance Performance Movie _________________ ____________________ ___________________ _________________ ____________________ ___________________ _________________ ____________________ ___________________ _________________ ____________________ ___________________ _________________ ____________________ ___________________ Looking and listening Attending a ballet performance will be interesting and enjoyable for everyone if you remember to…  listen in order to understand the information the narrator provides  pay careful attention to the movement the dancers demonstrate and perform in exercises and dances  look for the great physical and mental discipline demonstrated by the dancers watch for how…  dancers move in time with the music  movements from the exercises are included in the dances  dancers balance alone and with a partner  the dancers perform in solos, trios, quartets, and corps de ballet (a large group)  scenery, costumes and lighting contribute to the overall effect of the dances listen for…what the narrator says about how:  dancers are trained to dance  dancers stay in shape  dancers are athletes  ballet is similar to dances you do  how the music is related to the dances The dancers will be in the same room as the audience and will be affected by the audience’s behavior. Dancers must concentrate and move precisely. Unexpected activity or noise distracts them. The dancers rely on you to help them make a successful performance. Enjoy yourself. Sometimes you’ll be surprised. Sometimes you’ll laugh. Sometimes you’ll applaud. Remember: Listen carefully and watch closely.

Balance refers to a dancer’s ability to be stable. Dancers work on their technique to have perfect balance in a variety of positions. Timing refers to the dancer’s ability to move in rhythm with the accompanying music and with other dancers.

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