#theateretiquette

Don’t you just hate it when you’re all prepped up and so psyched to watch a certain show and suddenly some of your fellow theatre-goers ruin the momentum and everything – before, during and after the show? Sucks big time, right? As they get into your nerves, a question pops into year head: Don’t these people have any theater etiquette?

You already know what you're about to read. But it might just have slipped you're mind because you're just so stoked and overwhelmed, probably as crazy as we are (guilty as charged) too. Well, your Stage Door Canteen buddies have put up a list of some dos and don’ts for you guys, so you won’t get hit with a souvenir programme by a raging theatre goer next time.

1. Get your tickets as early as today. You don’t know when a show will run out of tickets or not. Once ticket purchasing opens, we suggest you go and purchase your tickets asap. You’ll have the advantage of getting the best seats in the house. You may also contact your favorite showbuyers – sometimes they offer big discounts! You don’t want to be stuck with your earphones plugged in, with the cast recording of the show you’ll probably never see on the Philippine stage again. If that’s fine by you, you are clearly missing the point. 

2. Don’t come on time. Come early. Come to the theater 30 minutes before the show, or even earlier would be better. You don’t want to be stepping on everybody’s toes as you come in and find your seat. Plus, you’ll be all sweaty just because you rushed your way, trying to make it before the overture.

3. Observe house rules. Bringing in of food and drinks, taking of photographs, video and audio recording and using mobile phones are strictly prohibited. What part of that don’t you understand?

4. Turn off your mobile phones. You went to enjoy a world-class performance and flawless performance, right? So you wouldn’t want any feedbacks and technical disruption from the sound system. Imagine yourself seated and you’re about to tear up. Suddenly, a cell phone rings out of nowhere. What would you feel about that? Turning it off for 2 to 3 hours wouldn’t hurt. Besides, you could always turn it on during intermission to check on your messages, and turn it back off before Act 2 starts.

5. Stop talking! It would be better if you will hear the actors’ lines and not the life sentiments of the person seated right next to you, or how did his/her day go. Once the show has started, keep your mouth shut.

6. Don’t spoil. If they want to hear the plot from you, you would’ve just asked them for a thousand peso or so and they will surely let you tell the whole story, from the overture up to the curtain call. Perfect peg: Madame Armfeldt. You remember what happened to her at the end of A Little Night Music? Would you like that to happen to you too?

7. Sing-along, without singing. Sing your lungs out after the show, not during. Nod your head; thump your feet if you want to. You may even mouth the lyrics if you really can’t help it. But please don’t belt the whole libretto out.

8. Don’t make out! Get a room please. You need not to prove to anybody that you love each other. 

9. Applaud. It’s the least thing that you could do for the actors to hype up their performances. Yeah, you paid for the tickets to get an awesome show. And you deserve it. But wouldn’t you want a more than awesome show?

10. Congratulate everyone. Thank everyone in the company for a kick-ass show. Not just the actors but the director, stage managers, band, production team and everyone. If it weren’t for them, the show wouldn’t be as hardcore as it was.

11. Spazz at the stagedoor! Spazzing is not a crime. Need help? Here’s our complete guide for stagedooring and let the fanboy/fangirl inside you come out.

There you go. We're pretty sure you're guided now the next time you go to the theater. Remember, the theater is our sanctuary. Let's not ruin it by doing the don'ts, just like normal people do.