Theatre Etiquette

The Golden Rules of Theater Audience Etiquette

Part of one's agreement as an audience member is to take seriously the pleasure of others, a responsibility fulfilled by quietly attentive (or silently attentive) and self-restrained behavior.  You can be as demonstrative as you like during bows and curtain calls.

1. Take it easy with the atomizer; many people are allergic and highly sensitive to perfume and cologne.
2. If you bring a child, make sure etiquette is part of the experience.  Children love learning new things.
3. Unwrap all candies and cough drops before the curtain goes up or the concert begins.
4. Make sure all cell phones, beepers, and signal watches are OFF. Also, don't jangle bangle bracelets.
5. The overture is part of the performance.  Please cease talking at this point.
6. Note to lovebirds: When you lean your heads together, you block the view of the persons behind you.  Leaning forward also blocks their view.
7. THOU SHALT NOT TALK or hum or sing along or beat time with a body part.
8. Force yourself to wait for a pause or intermission before rifling through your purse,backpack or shopping bags.
9. Yes, the parking lot gets busy and public transportation is tricky but leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous.
10. And.. the old standby...Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.