Music Is Not for Insects

In this multi-tasking-internet-cell-phone-email-self-indulged-digital world of ours, it’s easy to forget that our audiences often have no clue what their role is at a performance. Many of our school audience members are made up of students, parents and well meaning family members who are stepping into an auditorium for the first time.

It was with this in mind that I “lifted” the following Theater Etiquette guidelines printed on the back of a local Choir Festival program given to me by a friend who was judging the event. I really like the language of this “how to” for audiences. And frankly, it gives your audience something to read in lieu of being distracting.

But more importantly, it states firmly and clearly that active listening is required of all audience members. Is this a lost cultural norm? Is it our responsibility to educate our audiences on their role at a performance? Do you have similar text printed in your concert programs? Please submit a comment to this post.

(You can view/download the following as a Google document here- I will give full attribution when and if I find the author of this document)

Theater Etiquette
(NOTE: I “lifted” this from the back of a choir festival program hosted by The Mount Pilchuck Music Educator’s Association here in Washington State on March 26, 2008; hosted by Arlington High School Choirs, Lyle Forde-Director.

We want everyone who attends a live theater performance to thoroughly enjoy that performance. Below are a few items, that if followed, will greatly enhance the experience for all concerned.

Please remember that this is not a movie. The people on stage can hear and see you. Your reactions fuel them. Your negative actions can also affect them. Although you may never see tis reaction, because being performers, they are skilled at hiding them, you are affecting them. The performers and all those people behind the scenes have worked very hard to create an evening of entertainment for you. Please allow them the respect they deserve.

Applause:

• Clapping is the appropriate way to show appreciation for the performance rather than whistling or cheering.

• Do applaud with enthusiasm in the appropriate places.

• When the conductor enters, it is customary to applaud politely.

• Some classical pieces of music are broken down into parts called “movements.” In between these movements the music will stop for a few seconds. Do not applaud until the conductor has dropped his hands and has turned around to acknowledge the audience.

Cell phones and pagers:

• Turn these devices off. If you are expecting an emergency call, use the vibrate mode.

• If you must take an emergency call, leave the auditorium and only begin speaking to your caller AFTER you are away from the rest of the audience.

• Even a watch that chimes or beeps the hour is distracting to both the audience and the performers.

Children:

• Parents should keep small children seated with them. Don’t attempt to comfort crying, or disruptive children inside the theater. Always take them out at the earliest possible opportunity. This will mean less disruption for the other audience members and performers in the long run.

• Please instruct your children in appropriate theater behavior.

Cologne and perfume:

• Please be aware that many people are highly sensitive and/or allergic to perfume and cologne.

Entering and leaving the auditorium:

• Please arrive promptly. Even better, arrive early -before the performance begins. The time posted is the time the show actually starts -there are no commercials or previews!

• Enter the theater quietly.

• Once you have been seated, be alert to activity on the stage as the musicians take their place for the concert.

• Please do not enter or leave the auditorium during a performance unless it is an emergency. It is the option of the theater to prevent audience members from entering the auditorium until intermission or at least a scene change.

Recording devices:

• Do not bring recording devices of any kind into the theater. This includes video or still cameras, cell phone cameras and sound recording devices.

• Please check with the theater, and if they allow you to take pictures, don’t use the flash or the video light. If you would like a picture of the cast, ask the theater manager. They will probably be happy to assemble the cast after the performance for a short photo session.

Talking:

• It is impolite to talk, or even whisper, while the music is being performed.

• Performance spaces are generally designed to have excellent acoustics and voices carry a VERY long way. It is also quite possible that the performers may actually be able to hear you. If you can hear them at all then they can probably hear you.

• Listeners and performers are also distracted by sounds from the programs, candy wrappers, jewelry and other objects. Be thoughtful of others by talking or making sounds only between numbers.

• Loud or disruptive patrons will be asked to leave the Theater at the discretion of the Front-Of-House Manager.

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