Stop Leaving During Curtain Call (And Other Thoughts on Theater Etiquette)
On Saturday night, I went to see A Christmas Carol at ACT theater in Seattle. Prior to the show, my parents and I had to pick up my little sister for her dinner break after a matinee of Annie at 5th Ave. As we walked past the theater, the doors opened, and we could hear the orchestra playing the track for the curtain call. As we stood outside and listened to the beautiful music, a wave of audience members began to exit the theater — right as the cast took their bows. Perhaps this seems petty, or unfair (because surely there are people who need to get home for whatever reason; bedtime, living far away, or anything else that makes the length of the show tough), but according to the actor of my family, “every theater person in the world thinks it’s annoying.” Guys, it’s a Saturday matinee — it isn’t the end of the world to stay a few extra moments to show the cast you appreciated their show.
And thus, begins this week’s article — theater do’s and don’ts. Through my almost bi-weekly trips to theater productions, I have collected some pretty extensive knowledge of annoying things one can do at a play or musical. So, if you’re planning on seeing any sort of theatrical production anytime soon, I urge you to follow some of these (both official and unofficial) rules.
Firstly, it’s common knowledge that the law prohibits any form of videotaping or photography of a show, so put your phone away. On that note, I was at a show with one of my sister’s friends, and I noticed that his phone would periodically vibrate — it was on silent, but I could still tell that he was receiving notifications. It may not be super distracting for the actors to have a phone quietly vibrating twenty rows back, but it sure is annoying for your neighbor.
At a show the other weekend, I had to sit behind a young couple who would not stop talking. I can be forgiving when there is a child who has never been to a show before quietly commenting on the show because, duh, they’re a kid who doesn’t know better. But adults and older kids should know to sit down and shut up — you’re watching a show that had a lot of work put into it.
Another tip for theater newcomers: do not talk too loudly about your opinions of the show, at intermission or after the show. Particularly at smaller theaters (and even big ones too) you never know who is around you. Family and friends of the performers could be sitting right next to you. Often, my family and I hear audience members critiquing actors that we know personally, which always feels awkward. Just talk like the mother of the actor you are reviewing is sitting behind you, because she might be.
This feels like it should be a given, but… clap. Clap like you mean it, and clap when it’s the right time. Very rarely does someone tell a joke so funny or politically relevant that you applaud in the middle of a scene — otherwise, it’s easy to tell when to clap. Clap after scenes and musical numbers. Stand up at curtain call if you really enjoyed the show (and don’t be embarrassed if you’re the only one standing; the actors can see you, and they appreciate it!). Just remember how much work came into rehearsing, writing, composing, blocking, teching, memorizing, and making sure the production runs smoothly (because I can tell you, it’s a lot of work).
A few more quick points: keep your sweatpants at home and put a little bit of effort into your outfit — Seattle is a casual city, but don’t dress like you’re at the gym. Unwrap food before the show starts. And leave your infants at home — they won’t understand the show.
Hopefully, these tips will make your next theater endeavor more enjoyable for others, and yourself. No one wants to feel like the annoying theater newcomer who doesn’t know how to act. So sit back, relax, enjoy the show, and applaud; these performers put a lot of work into the show you’re watching.
