clear

Professionalism - Artistry - Fun - Passion

 
CBT Member Log in
Theater Etiquette

When you come to the theatre, you will be treated as a very special guest.  The people in the theatre have only one goal: to help you be happy that you came.

Whether you are coming to see a play, a musical, a concert, or a ballet, the rules are the same. The people on the stage are called the performers.  The people who come to see them are called the audience.  The performers are working very hard to share with you the happiness they feel when they perform.  When you show that you are paying attention and are enjoying the show by clapping, smiling, and laughing when appropriate, it helps them to do an even better job.  If you talk during the performance, or do things that attract attention to you rather than to the performance, the performers will have a harder time giving you a very good show.

Almost all of the performers you will be seeing are children. Some of them are your age, or just a little bit older.  Some of them are on a very big stage performing for hundreds of people for the first time, and it is a very exciting experience for them.  They are concentrating very hard on their dancing and acting.  Think how you would feel up on the stage, and how you would want the audience to act.

Some Things to Remember:

Things to do in the Theater

Do make sure you are ready to sit and enjoy the show in plenty of time before the show starts:  get a drink of water if you are thirsty, visit the bathroom, get a Kleenex if you need one.

Do  make yourself comfortable in your seat but don't put your feet on the seats or push against or bang into other people's seats.

Do laugh if the dancers do something funny.

Do clap if you want to show the dancers you liked what you saw.

Do tell a teacher, parent, or chaperone before the show if the person in front of you is so tall that you may not be able to see well.  Sometimes it helps to change places to make sure everybody can see.

Things to NOT do in the Theater

Don’t leave your seat once the show starts.  The theatre will be dark, and people should leave their seats only if they have a very important need to.

Don’t chew gum, or bring food or drinks of any kind into the theatre.

Don’t stand up.  The people behind you won’t be able to see!

Don’t take pictures.

Don’t talk during the show – not to your neighbor or to the dancers.  There will be lots of time after the show to talk, and you can show that you enjoy the show by clapping.

Return to to the Teacher's Index