Audience Etiquette and the monologue

Today you will be taking notes in your comp book Today you will be taking notes in your comp book. If you don’t have one, you need to buy one from me for $ .50. If you don’t have the money today hit me up as soon as you do, but get the comp book now. FYI, when taking notes, you are only allowed to use the right sides of the page. The left side is for interacting.

Start on the second page of the comp book. First, label it with the date (8-22-16) and the title of these notes: Audience Etiquette and the Monologue

All of the people involved in the production, both cast and crew, work very hard to be sure they give a great performance. It is the job of the audience members to help the performers give their best performance possible. The audience can do this by practicing the rules of theater etiquette.

No one is allowed backstage except the actors and technical crews No one is allowed backstage except the actors and technical crews! Even after the show. This includes: parents friends family paparazzi if you need to give something to an actor, give it to a crew member and they will get it to them.

Arrive to the theater on time Arrive to the theater on time. Visit the restroom before the performance begins.

Turn off your cell phone or, if it must be on, put it on vibrate Turn off your cell phone or, if it must be on, put it on vibrate. Do not speak on the phone during the performance. If you must call the person back, do it outside during intermission or after the show has finished.

Pay attention to announcements that are made prior to many shows about the rules of the theater you are attending and the location of the fire exits.

Don't speak during the performance...whispering is still speaking. No talking or moving around during the performance as this distracts other audience members.

Do not take pictures during the performance Do not take pictures during the performance. It can be very distracting to the actors and can cause a mishap.

Remain in your seat for the entire performance Remain in your seat for the entire performance. If you must leave, exit during intermission or a black out. It is rude to get up in the middle of a quiet moment...rude to the actors and your fellow audience members.

Do not eat or drink in the theater Do not eat or drink in the theater. If you must have a cough drop, or something of that nature, do not make noise with the wrapper. Don’t rustle the program or make unnecessary noise during the performance

Do not put your feet up on the seats or balcony and do not kick the seat in front of you.

Do laugh when the performance is funny, but do not make a spectacle of yourself.

Do applaud when the performance is over Do applaud when the performance is over...this tells the performers and crew that you appreciate their work.

Stand and applaud if you really thought the show was great.

Do not whistle or scream out to the performers except during curtain call.

Pay attention at all times Pay attention at all times. Imagine how the performers would feel if they looked up and saw audience members looking elsewhere or even sleeping!

Make sure you dress in an appropriate way for the performance, the venue and the time.

Go to the performance with an open mind and a positive attitude.

And above all, the golden rule of audience etiquette is not to do anything that makes people notice you instead of the performance.

Your next step is to practice getting up in front of the class and reading a short monologue. In order to read a monologue appropriately, you must understand your character and portray that character to the best of your ability. The script of the monologue will give you a guide, but some things you will have to infer.

Turn to the next page in your comp book and label it with the date, and title of the monologue (in “.”) you choose to recite followed by script analysis. 8-22-16 “Loser Face” Script analysis

In order to analyze a monologue, answer the following questions: 1. Who is speaking? Character’s name, age, occupation? How will you show this? 2. Who are they speaking to? 3. Where are they located? 4. What is the backstory and emotion relevant to this monologue?

Now, you have the rest of the Period to practice it Now, you have the rest of the Period to practice it. You may not take the monologues home, but if you want to take a pic of it with your phone, you may.