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:
•
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.
Being a Part of the
Audience
Directions: Use this key to read about going to a concert.
watch
music
audience
listen
When you
the
clap
and
to a con cert, you are part of
. The
concert.
To hear all the
like
is an importan t part of th e
,
the
carefully!
must
If yo u talk, people in th e
will not be abl e to
.
When th e
ends,
to sho w you
the .