Audience
Etiquette
*You will develop the ability
to watch plays with
intelligence and with
emotional sensitivity!!
Rules of Theatre
Etiquette
(aka Proper Behavior)
1. Know the curtain time and arrive
early enough to obtain tickets and
be seated BEFORE the lights dim.
-Once the first act has begun, you will
not be seated until intermission
2. Do NOT talk during the production
3. When the curtain opens and the set
pleases you, it is a compliment to
applaud.
Rules of Theatre
Etiquette Continued
4. The curtain call is usually the time
that the audience shows with its
applause how much it enjoyed the
show.
-Show-stopper-an especially fine
scene/individual performance—rare
and brings applause during the show
-Standing ovation-reserved for truly
outstanding performances
Rules of Theatre
Etiquette Continued
5. The play is not over until the last
bow has been taken.
-ONLY leave the theatre during
the performance out of necessity
or an emergency
WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY??
-Remember: The first acts are
usually longer
Rules of Theatre
Etiquette Continued
6. Food and drink are NOT permitted
in the theatre.
-EXCEPTION: Dinner Theatre
7. Come…
TO ENJOY!
TO LEARN!
TO GROW!
Audience Etiquette
Vocabulary
• Curtain Call—at the end of the
show when all the actors take their
bows
• Show-stopper—an especially fine
scene or musical number during the
show when the audience applauds
• Standing ovation—at the end of the
show when the audience stands to
applaud
Being a theatre critic
• Critique—to examine or judge
carefully and critically
• “Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder”
• Base your evaluation on “artistic
merit”
• Critiquing means POSITIVE
FEEDBACK and negative feedback
• Encourage, don’t discourage!
• NO ONE IS SIMON!!