Brand Journalism

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Are you a total live theater newbie who has an upcoming performance to watch? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned audience member who is simply looking to refresh their knowledge of theater etiquette after an awkward experience. No matter where you are in your live theater journey, here are seven helpful theater etiquette tips to keep in mind during your next theater outing. Following these guidelines is a great step toward making your experience at live theater events as stress-free and smooth as possible. From Broadway to your local theater, performers and fellow audience members everywhere will thank you for helping create a respectful and welcoming environment. 

#1. Silence your cellphone.  

One of the best ways to avoid distracting and frustrating theater performers is to simply silence your cellphone. Or turn on your device’s do not disturb feature. Theaters are dark and seats are arranged close together; the light emitted from a singular cellphone in this environment can be enough to disrupt performers and audiences. To prevent complaints from fellow audience members, put your cell phone away and take all emergency phone calls and texts outside.  

#2. Do not take photos or videos during the performance.  

 Unless you are given explicit permission by the theater to record, do not do so. Not only can the flash of your camera cause distractions, but in many cases recording plays and musicals is illegal. Most theaters do not own the rights to the shows they put on; therefore recording and distributing videos of these productions violates copyright laws. To prevent legal trouble for everyone, just simply do not record no matter how tempting. If there is a legal way to capture the performance and share it, your theater will make the recording available for you later.  

#3. Clap when appropriate.  

Different theaters and productions may have different guidelines for clapping, but the general rule for when to clap during plays and musicals is follow your fellow audience members and performers' lead. If most of the audience is clapping and performers are not cutting it off, then it is safe to join in. Here are some key moments to expect clapping:  

• After a song number ends in a musical   
• After an act ends and the lights come on for intermission during a play 
• During curtain call at the very end of a performance 

#4. Arrive at the theater early.  

Always reach out to the theater you’ll be attending to double check the time doors open for guests. However, a common time frame is usually 30-45 minutes before the show’s start time. It is essential to ensure you are early as there are many theaters who will not allow you to attend the show if you are there after the lights go off. Depending on the theater, refunds might also not be allowed. 

#5. Do not automatically sing along. 

Singing along to your favorite musical numbers can be tempting, but not all theaters have sound systems equipped to properly project performers’ voices over the volume of multiple audience members’ voices. There are various shows that heavily encourage audience participation through cheers and singing. However, the best practice is to not assume all theater productions are interactive. If a theater wants audience engagement, the theater will encourage it and introduce guidelines for it during the pre-show announcements.   

#6. Be considerate of your fellow audience members.  

Dressing up for the theater is fun and may be required or heavily encouraged, depending on your theater. However, while large hats may be fun for pictures they can block your fellow audience members’ view. Other helpful tips to keep in mind to prevent hindering a fellow audience member’s experience includes using the bathroom beforehand, refraining from talking during the show and leaving the aisles clear for easy movement.  

#7. Research your theater’s audience guidelines beforehand.  

While these general tips are a good place to start, whether you are attending a Broadway play or your young loved one’s school musical, they are not definitive. It is always a good idea to research your local theater’s general guidelines as every organization is different. Theaters’ websites also commonly include a summary of their shows and age ratings, all important things to consider when deciding if you should make your outing a family event.   

Theater etiquette guidelines can seem stuffy and overwhelming, but the purpose of these tips is to make the experiences of all audience members and performers exciting and memorable. Performers and crew members work hard and deserve to show off their talents in a distraction-free environment. Additionally, audience members deserve to experience the show they paid for. Above all else, remember performers and crew members just want you to have fun!