Theatre Etiquette
Theatre Etiquette is much more than just pleasantries and manners. It is a guideline for the
collaborative process of theatre. When we follow the traditions and etiquette of the theatre, we
become linked to a community of artists and technicians that extends from the beginnings of
theatre to include ourselves and every other theatre organization today.
We depend on each other to create good theatre. Accepting and acknowledging everyone’s
contributions reminds us that what each of us does as a theatre artist is not only fun and
personally fulfilling, but it is also important, meaningful and valuable to society.
The following are guidelines that we are all expected to follow as part of a professional
theatre education community:
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Arrive early to all rehearsals, production meetings, work calls and performances.
Come to each rehearsal and work call prepared and focused on the task at hand.
Be courteous. Say “Please” and “Thank You.”
All personnel should acknowledge the stage managers calls with a polite “thank you.”
Conscientiously meet all production deadlines.
Actors should know their lines thoroughly at the “off book” deadline
When arriving at the theatre for tech week and performances, sign yourself in ON TIME.
Never ask anyone to sign in for you.
Actors and crew are collaborators working TOGETHER as a team. Crew members are
not there to “assist” actors and actors are not there for crew to “boss around.”
Allow for quiet time before the performance and rehearsal. This helps us prepare and
focus for the work ahead.
Limit your socializing to before or after rehearsals or during breaks. Talking and
horseplay is disruptive, distracting and at times, dangerous.
An actor never gives another actor an unsolicited note on performances.
Actors and crew always follow the directives of the Theatre Director and/or Auditorium
Manager. Do not change your directive because another actor or crew disagrees with
the Director(s).
Do not eat or drink in costume. Costumes should always be hung up and put away in its
proper place after each performance or rehearsal.
Make sure you bathe each day and wear deodorant before wearing costumes. Do not
wear heavy perfumes in costumes.
In the dressing room, keep your things in your allotted counter space.
Never borrow something from another actor without their permission.
Never share eye make-up with another actor (it can cause eye infections).
Practical jokes have no place in a performance – EVER
If you make a mess, clean it up
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If it’s not yours, don’t touch it! – Do not move, borrow or play with a prop or costume
piece.
Let the stage manager know if a prop or scenic element is broken.
Honor stage traditions – even superstitions – to maintain espirit de corps (you don’t
have to believe it)
Crew members should wear appropriate, clean clothing for your call.
Crew members should be dressed in all black for any backstage work for a performance.
Cast and crew should not talk backstage except for show related business.
Crew members should not talk to actors except for show related business (it may break
their concentration).
Nothing can ruin a performance more easily than backstage noise. All of your hard work
will have been for nothing.
Headsets should only be used for production related communication such as calls,
warnings, and cues. Excess chatter could cause someone to miss a cue and could even
be dangerous.
Crew members should not perform tasks that are not assigned to you.
Cast members must stay backstage from after the house opens until after the curtain
call.
No texting or other electronics backstage (the light CAN be seen).
Do not peak through the curtains to look at the audience.
Keep conversations courteous and appropriate. Someone can ALWAYS hear you.