LIVE THEATER IS NOT A MOVIE THEATER!

Inside the movie theater, the patrons are encouraged to stay quiet so that everyone can enjoy the movie. However, occasionally we see people using their cellphones, babies crying, children talking, and other noisy distractions.

These distractions are not good behaviors to display, generally.

When sitting in the audience of a LIVE THEATER, the rules completely change.

No talking. Period.

The cost of entering a movie theater = $10.00 --- $20.00 (approx.)

The cost of entering a live theater = $50.00 --- $200.00 (approx.)

The people who pay these prices to go see live theater DEFINITELY will not appreciate distractions. Talking also distracts the actors who are on stage. The actors and the rest of the audience will see to it that you are removed from the audience in a prompt fashion.

Would you pay that money to get in just to have some disrespectful person ruin the experience for you?  I didn’t think so.

Even if you think the production is boring, it does not give you the right to resort to some other form of entertainment. It’s important to see bad theatre as well as good theatre.

No cellphone activity of any kind. Period.

Along with the cost of admission, some people think it’s okay to take pictures of the production. All productions and its costumes, scenery, actors, lines, special effects, and etc. are all copyrighted materials. Taking photos (even cellphone photos) means you are infringing copyright laws and you WILL be escorted out of the theater and be forced to erase your pictures from your device.

TEXTING is the same thing as TALKING. You’ve paid the money to get in the theater! Watch the show that you paid for!  Not only that, you are distracting the people sitting next to you and behind you.

Even if you think the production is boring, it does not give you the right to resort to some other form of entertainment. It’s important to see bad theatre as well as good theatre.

No iPods or any music players. Period.

Why?

You’ve paid the good money to get in and you’re going to listen to your music instead?

Even if you think the production is boring, it does not give you the right to resort to some other form of entertainment. It’s important to see bad theatre as well as good theatre.

No food of any kind. Period.

You are the actor on stage. It is a dramatic, suspense-filled moment of silence and awe. Suddenly, from the corner of the audience, you hear *RIP*  *CRINKLE CRINKLE CRINKLE* then,

Someone had taken out his potato chips and started to eat it.

Even if you think the production is boring, it does not give you the right to resort to some other form of entertainment: even if it is food. It’s important to see bad theatre as well as good theatre.

No coming or going.

Let me reiterate --- THIS IS NOT A MOVIE THEATER! The actors on stage can see you and hear you. You already know just how disturbing and distracting it is when someone in the middle of the row has to get up to go to the bathroom. In live theatre, not only is it annoying and distracting, it is extremely rude. Movie theaters don’t give you an intermission between major acts in the story because it’s okay to go to the bathroom during a movie. THAT’S WHY THERE ARE INTERMISSIONS BETWEEN ACTS -- So that you can come and go.

React! Respond!

In plays, there are funny moments and there are sad moments. The theatre that affects your emotion is good theatre.

If the moment makes you cry, then it is okay to cry as long as you are not bawling loudly. If the moment makes you laugh, then laugh! Laugh as loud as it makes you! The rest of the audience feel the same way and it will energize the actors on stage.

If the moment makes you feel uncomfortable, be uncomfortable. Confront the discomfort and try to appreciate the fact that a fictitious production, played by actors can make you feel this way.

Live theatre is a beautiful thing.

Click the box below to see/download/print the Theatre Etiquette Agreement.

Without having this signed, you will not be permitted to enter the theater.

Print it out.