L ESSON O BJECTIVES : The Student will… recognize and respond to live theatre; use appropriate audience etiquette; discover appropriate rehearsal etiquette; determine appropriate backstage etiquette.

A UDIENCE E TIQUETTE Having the opportunity to attend a play is a very special event. You can’t view a play every day, as you might a television show or a movie. Even though live performances are extremely popular today, plays are not always readily available.

A UDIENCE E TIQUETTE The audience is the group of spectators, listeners or viewers collectively, in attendance at a theater or concert. Audience Etiquette is appropriate audience behavior at a theatrical event.

Appropriate audience behavior is another important social grace you need to learn as you grow up. Because attending a live theatrical event is different from watching a movie or television program, it is important to know what is expected of you at a play, opera, ballet, musical, or concert. A UDIENCE E TIQUETTE

Appropriate behavior begins when you arrive at the theatre or auditorium. If you do not have a ticket for the show, you should allow time to purchase one before the performance begins. A UDIENCE E TIQUETTE

Always arrive on time. It is annoying to the other members of the audience when they are distracted from the performance because of late-comers. People arriving late also make noise as they are being seated, which prevents audience members who arrived on time from hearing the dialogue or music. Gum, food, and drinks have no place in the theatre! Chewing, eating, and drinking are all noisy activities that can distract the actors and the audience. To be a good citizen and theatre patron, remember to use the trash receptacles in the lobby of the theatre before you enter the seating area. B EFORE THE P ERFORMANCE

Remember also to take care of rest room business and drinks of water prior to being seated. If you have to leave in the middle of the show, you will miss some of the performance as well as distract the people seated near you. B EFORE THE P ERFORMANCE

Once you are seated, be considerate of those who are seated around you. Keep your hands, arms, feet, and personal belongings to yourself. Be especially careful not to put your feet on the chair in front of you. If you want to visit with friends, do so quietly before the performance begins. B EFORE THE P ERFORMANCE

As a safety precaution, always take note of the exit nearest your seat. Law requires exit signs to be lighted and clearly visible. If an emergency should arise and the exit needed, you would know where to go. B EFORE THE P ERFORMANCE

TURN OFF YOUR PHONE!!!! NO FACEBOOKING NO TWITTERING! NO ANSWERING PHONE CALLS! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, NO TEXTING!!! B EFORE AND D URING THE P ERFORMANCE

Be considerate of those seated near you. Do not distract anyone’s attention from the performance by talking or making noises. Even if you know all the lines to the show or all the words to the songs, others in the audience did not come to hear or see you perform. Speaking aloud or singing along from the audience is considered to be in extremely poor taste. D URING THE P ERFORMANCE

As a member of the audience, you can best show your respect for the actors by giving them your full attention. Shouting out comments or whistling is not considered appropriate theatre behavior. Such responses should be saved for football games and track meets. Responses such as laughter, tears, or even gasps of surprise are expected from the audience. Performers enjoy such reactions and hope that they will come from the audience at the appropriate times. These type of reactions give the audience feedback, letting them know how their performance is affecting the audience. D URING THE P ERFORMANCE

Avoid leaving your seat once the performance begins unless you have an emergency. If you must leave, do so as quietly and inconspicuously as possible. If you are attending a performance with your class or school group, quietly notify your teacher or director that you have an emergency. D URING THE P ERFORMANCE

Recording music, videotaping performances, and taking photographs are all prohibited during a theatrical event. Recording any music during a performance without written permission of composers and performers is a serious violation of the copyright law. Cameras are distracting to other audience members as well as to the performers. Flashes on cameras can momentarily blind a performer or cause a break in character or dialogue. D URING THE P ERFORMANCE

When the performance is over, wait until the house lights are turned up so that you can see the aisles and exits clearly. As you wait patiently for your turn to exit, it is appropriate to quietly discuss the performance with your friends. Check under and around your seat for any personal belongings that you might have left. As you exit the theatre or auditorium, avoid pushing against those in front of you. Climbing under or hopping over seats only demonstrates to others that you lack good judgment. This type of behavior is rude and extremely irritating to those who enjoy the theatre experience. A FTER THE P ERFORMANCE

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE o Rehearsals are production session in which the actors and technicians prepare by repetition. Before rehearsals begin, everyone involved in the production should take time to review rehearsal etiquette guidelines. Rehearsal etiquette guidelines are helpful reminders of appropriate actor and technician behavior, which involves appropriate behavior and common courtesy.

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE Abide by all school and classroom rules. BE ON TIME!!! Be ready for rehearsal: dance shoes on, script/music out, etc. Leave only when dismissed. Attend every rehearsal, unless you have special permission to be absent. Immediately contact the director in case of an emergency. Come to rehearsal willing and prepared to work- bring a pencil, your script, and any other items the director has required. Learn your lines as soon as possible.

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE BE PREPARED! Have your script, a pencil, etc. Talking and chatting is unacceptable while in rehearsal. Let everyone focus; do not pull attention from those who want to work. Pay attention to what is going on during rehearsal even if you are just waiting for your turn. You want to be ready at a moment notice so that you don't waste any working time. Listen to your Stage Manager. Period.

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE Observe common courtesy to other members of the cast before, during, and after rehearsals. Avoid touching anything that doesn’t belong to you-including costumes, props, makeup, lights, mikes, or scenery. At the end of a rehearsal or performance, put away your props and costumes. Also check the backstage area or dressing rooms for any of your personal possessions.

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE Be quiet backstage. Period. Listen while backstage to avoid missing cues or entrances. Avoid “mouthing” the lines of others. Call “line” if you need a prompt. Keep up your grades. Let your director know if you are having academic difficulty. Continue to study your part during the run of the show. Give 100 percent at all rehearsals, work sessions, and performances.

R EHEARSAL E TIQUETTE TURN YOUR PHONE OFF AND PUT IT AWAY! NO TEXTING! NO FACEBOOKING NO TEXTING! NO TWITTERING! NO ANSWERING PHONE CALLS! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, NO TEXTING!!!

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE Backstage- any part of the area just off the perimeter of the stage, including the stage left and stage right wings, the upstage crossover space, dressing rooms, and immediate hallway. Backstage Etiquette- guidelines for appropriate actor and technician behavior in the backstage area of the theatre.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE Backstage etiquette is necessary during all rehearsals and performances. Many of these guidelines are similar to those of rehearsal etiquette, but are specific to the backstage area.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Do whatever the Stage Manager (SM) tells you without arguing, especially in performance. When an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) tells you something, assume it’s a directive from the Stage Manager. The SM (and ASMs backstage during a show) are responsible for running the show, and represent the voice of the director or faculty mentor. Discuss any issues with the Stage Manager AFTER that night’s production, not during set up or the show itself.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Don’t hang out in the wings watching the show. Backstage space is usually limited and the last thing needed is to have to work around an extra body. Things can happen pretty quickly backstage, and you could find yourself causing a disaster by blocking the view of a visual cue or being in the way of a quick entrance or exit. Stay at your post if you’re backstage crew.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Don’t talk with anyone backstage unless it is essential to the show. Whispered conversations are distracting to the crew waiting for cues, the actors on stage, and can even be heard in the house. If you have something you must communicate to a crew member because it affects the show, then do so, but make sure you’re not interrupting something else going on. If they’re on headset, assume they’re listening to the stage manager as you approach them.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Stay put until you’re called for your cue. The crew can’t call you if they can’t find you. Find some place where you’re comfortable and out of the way and make that’s your spot for the run of the show. If you must use the restroom or run back to the dressing room, tell someone where you’re going and let them know immediately that you’re back.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Don’t play with or move the props, and don’t sit on the furniture backstage. Never move a prop – they have specific places so they can be located in the dim backstage lighting. Picking up a prop and playing with it often results in it being broken. If you are using a shared prop, make sure who is responsible for putting it back in its place for the next actor. If that’s you, put it back as soon as possible; if it’s a crew member, hand it to him as soon as you come off stage. Check your props before each performance, including any that are set for you to use onstage. Even if it’s someone else’s job to set that prop, you’re the one who will look foolish onstage if it’s not there.

B ACKSTAGE E TIQUETTE G UIDELINES Don’t sleep backstage. It means you’re not doing your job or that you may potentially miss a cue. In the real world this will get you fired. Bathe. Applies to both cast and crew. Close quarters simply require it. No PDA (public displays of affection). I mean, do we really need to discuss this?....

E TIQUETTE P ROJECT C HOICES : Skit Present the do’s and don’ts of a selected etiquette category. (Audience, Rehearsal, Backstage) Visual Aid Create a visual aid comparing the do’s and don’ts of selected etiquette category. Provide situational examples. Announcement Present an announcement to the audience telling them appropriate audience etiquette OR Write a contract for backstage and rehearsal etiquette to give to your crew and actors