To be a good audience member it’s important to
know how to act in the theatre. 
It’s quite different from watching television,
going to a football game, or even going to the movies. 
Here are some tips explaining what is
expected of audience members.

Before you arrive:

• Purchasing a ticket is required for a live theatre performance and it will be for a specific date and show.  Be sure to check your ticket when you buy it, because tickets are not usually refundable or exchangeable.
   

• Be on time.  Often in a live performance, audience members will not be admitted if they arrive late, because they disturb the performance for the actors and other audience members.  It’s best to arrive about 15 minutes early so that you have time to read the program before the show starts.
   

• Take care of personal needs (drinks of water, or restroom) because you won’t be able to leave your seat until the intermission or until the performance ends.  No food or drink is allowed in the theatre.  Also, get rid of gum before you enter the theatre.
   

• Depending on the type of performance you may want to make it special by dressing up for this special event.  Opening night of a performance is always a dress-up night, and you may want to wear more formal clothes no matter when you attend.  Try dressing up and you’ll feel different!

When you arrive:

•   An usher will usually greet you and ask for your ticket.  With a general admission ticket, you get to pick your own seat.  If your ticket has a row and seat number, the usher will check the number and show you to your assigned seat.  Be sure to sit in the seat you are given so that you don’t cause confusion for other audience members.
   

•   Turn off your cell phone or beeper so that it does not disturb the performance or those seated around you.  You’ll be embarrassed if it goes off in the middle of a tense moment of the show and it will break the mood for everyone.
   

•   At most performances, you will receive a printed program.  Be sure to arrive early enough to read the program, so that you will have an idea of what to expect in the show.  Also, you will find the names and information about people who are performing and helping to put on the show.  Read the credits to learn more about the people and the performance.  It will make the show more enjoyable and you’ll learn things that might surprise you.

During the performance:

•   Listen!  This is important because you will be hearing actors perform live for you.  It’s important that you listen very well so that you don’t miss anything and so that you don’t disturb others around you.

•   Respond!  This is a live performance before a live audience.  Your part is to let the actors know that you appreciate the show.  That means laughing at funny parts, cheering when it’s called for, applauding when you like something, and perhaps even shrieking when you are scared.  Remember to always respond respectfully and appropriately.  These are live actors and their performance will be affected by your reactions.
   

•   Be quiet when needed!  Often in the theater we pretend the audience is not there.  That’s why we put the audience in the dark.  You have to be quiet and play along.  Sometimes you need to pretend you are listening in but not letting anyone know you are there.
   

•   Be considerate of those around you!  Don’t kick the back of the seat in front of you, and don’t talk during the performance, because it might disturb those around you.

After the performance has ended:

•   Applaud!  When the performance is over, it’s important to show your appreciation by applauding for the performers.  In some performances, you might hear people applaud or cheer during the performance, and sometimes that’s OK.  But often the audience holds their applause until after the performance has ended.  When you do applaud, respond enthusiastically.
   

•   Stay in your seat for the curtain call!  At the end of the performance there is usually a curtain call.  This is when the actors come on stage to receive your appreciation.  Don’t leave during the curtain call.  Wait until it is over and then exit with the rest of the audience.
   

•   Stand and applaud if you really liked the show!  Actors are thrilled when they receive something called a “Standing Ovation.”  If you want to pay them the highest praise, you might stand and applaud.  It’s reserved for the best performances!
   

•   Hana Hou!  Encore!  At some musical performances you might hear audience members shouting “Hana Hou!” or “Encore!”   This is another form of high praise and appreciation. The audience is asking the performer to please go on performing.  In many cases, an entertainer will sing or play another song, making it a special performance.

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