Theatre Etiquette

Do you follow all the Golden Rules?

Please review our friendly etiquette refresher course and as you read on, remember part of one's pact as an audience member is to take seriously the pleasure of others, a responsibility fulfilled by quietly attentive (or silently inattentive) and self-contained behavior. After all, you can be as demonstrative as you want during bows and curtain calls.

1. Go easy with the atomizer; many people are highly allergic to perfume and cologne.

2. If you bring a child, make sure etiquette is part of the experience. Children love learning new things.

3. Enjoy refreshments and snacks outside of the theatre. Slurping on a "co-cola" and opening a bag of M&Ms is distracting and should be left for the movies and not live theatre.

4. Make sure cell phones, beepers, and watch alarms are turned OFF and please don't jangle your bangles.

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 person behind you. Leaning forward, having a child on your lap, wearing a hat or a high-profile hairdo also blocks the 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 a purse, backpack or shopping bag.

9. Arrive early so you don't cross over others after the show has started. If you're late and your seat is occupied, you will be reseated until intermission. Also, we all know the parking lot gets busy, but leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous.

10. Honor the old standby: Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you. We are all here to enjoy the show!

Reprinted with permission by Encore Atlanta

Children and Live Theatre

Attending a live theatre performance can be a magical and memorable experience for even young children. Done well, you will be planting the seeds of appreciation in a young patron for a love of live theatre. Done poorly, you can create an awful experience for your child and the people seated around him/her.

First take time to select the proper show for your child to see. BTL shows are not one size fits all. It would be unfair to ask your child to behave their best if you have selected a show that would bore them or that they do not understand. Most of our Broadway shows are not appropriate for younger children and we encourage you to select a Junior Series show instead. Remember, every child who attends, regardless of age, must have their own ticket. In some cases it might be cheaper to hire a babysitter and make it a date night instead. Infants should always be left at home, as there's no distraction quiet like a crying baby.

Here are some general guidelines that should be mentioned prior to attending a live performance to prepare your child to present the proper behavior everyone will be expecting from him or her.

They will be expected to be quiet, sit still in their own chair and not disturb others around them by talking or fidgeting. You are welcome to bring a booster seat to help them see the show.

They will need to keep their feet on the floor, not on the seats around them.

The should not kick the chair in front of them or stand during the performance.

They should not leave the theatre except during intermission.

They cannot eat, drink or chew gum in the theatre.

They should use the restroom before the performance or during intermission.

They may applaud when appropriate.

Also mention to your children that the theatre will be dark at times and sudden bursts of sounds may happen.

If your child becomes restless, frightened or very loud, please take them to the lobby. You may always ask an usher to reseat you towards the back of the theatre/balcony. It's unfortunate to mention, but children (and sometimes parents) behaving poorly will be asked to leave without a refund.

We are all here to enjoy the show so let's do our best to make each show enjoyable for all!