The Rules of Good Theater

Etiquette for Magicians and Other Stage Performers

Preface: I wanted for sometime to do a study and compose a list of accepted “rules of theater.” I’ve been around the stage long enough now, both in and out of magic, to know there are just some things that people do or hold sacred. They were things that I’ve learned as I went. No one ever handed me a book of things to do or not to do, so to speak. I just observed, and followed suit behind what everyone else was doing. So I think it is a novel idea to compose these thoughts and observations into a little mini-guide book for proper theater etiquette. I’ll focus on etiquette for attending theater (or movies), for being a cast member performing in a production, some etiquette for directors or producers, and even some etiquette notes for the magicians themselves. This is a work in progress, and I hope that you enjoy it. By all means feel free to contribute your thoughts, and personal observations as well. I’ll probably amend this post a few times before I save the final draft in a PDF format. With out further adue: I give you The Rules of Good Theater: Etiquette for Magicians, and Other Stage Performers.

Everything has rules. Society, clubs, schools, businesses, even tree houses with their “No Girls Allowed” signs. Theater is no different. What is sad though is that now-days a lot of the respect for live theater seems to be waning, new technologies, different culture trends, and younger audiences are making it easier to be more or less un-aware of what good theater attending etiquette should be. Back “in the day” where live theater was your only option for entertainment (prior to the invent of TV) Theater was a very public thing. So since it was very public, often upper class, certain rules and dos and don’ts were associated with it. Once radio and later television came along, theater became more and more informal. However, as an entertainer or as someone who wishes to be entertained it is a good idea to have a solid understanding of just what these kinds of rules are. More importantly: It’s a good idea to follow them!

This essay is written from the point of view of the performance artist, and is in general intended for the performance artist. While there are some wonderful rules in the first chapter for a layperson to follow while attending a live performance, the bulk of the material presented here is intended for the actor to help them to better understand how to behave while on and off the stage. I am of the strong belief that in order to be a better performer, we must first be a better audience. These are not a complete listing of all the rules, etiquette, and good idea’s but they are most certainly a good start. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1: Etiquette for Attending a Theater or Live Performance

These are some good ideas to observe and follow if you ever attend a live performance or go to a movie theater.

1) Do not talk during a performance! PLEASE! Don’t even whisper to your friend. You may have seen this act/show/play/ what ever before, but there are others in the house that haven’t, and you should be respectful of their experience. You can make jokes all you want during intermission or after the show.
2) Turn OFF your cell phones. Actually, I’m going to devote a chapter to Cell Phones later, so stay tuned.
3) Don’t bring food to a live performance. Eating chips or other loud things not only is distracting it’s actually un-classy. Save the food and snack runs for intermission, consume and then return to your seats. For movie theaters, food is okay. Usually the noise of the movie is enough to drown out your eating. Just don’t import snacks in from outside the theater. Most theaters don’t like that.
4) If you are sick, and are coughing or sneezing a lot, bring a handkerchief with you to smother your mouth with. You’d be amazed at how loud a cough is in a good theater built for good acoustics.
5) Always apologize if someone is forced to move from their seat, or stand to let you through to yours. If you are late for a performance, don’t verbally speak. Just mouth the words “I’m sorry” and give a quick sorrowful nod in appreciation.
6) You should NEVER be late for a performance.
7) If you are lucky enough to attend a performance as a guest of one of the performers don’t carry on about your relations to others in the audience. It’s rude, and it takes away from the performers show. This isn’t about you anyways, your not the star. Politely back out of any conversations that do occur, or lower your voice as to not attract others to the conversation, and end it as quickly as possible.
8) While dressing up for a live production in button down shirts, and jackets with tails is a bit out of fashion, it is still a good idea to dress up for a live show. Business Casual to Business Professional is fine. It is also a growing fad to dress up in a style similar to the theme of a newly released movie that you are a fan of. For example: Harry Potter fans dressing in appropriate wizard attire for a new movie release.
9) Make sure children are old enough to understand the importance of being unobtrusive and quiet during a live show, and be responsible enough to levy heavy punishment on them if they insist on crying, talking, or running around. It is very distractive to those in the audience with you, and doubly so for the actors on the stage. If you have young children, and can afford live theater tickets, then you can also afford a babysitter. The same applies to movie theaters as well.
10) If you must wear a tall hat, or a large hairdo then sit as far to the back as possible. When walking to and from your seats, try to maintain as low of a profile as possible so to not intrude on others enjoyment of the show.
11) If you are offended by someone in the audience try your best to keep it to yourself. Don’t cause a scene, don’t pick a fight, and don’t disturb the rest of the audience, or production cast. If the matter is that severe, then take it up with the person after the show is over, and preferably in the parking lot.
12) If you are meeting an actor after a performance, wait for them at the front of the stage (usually stage left) and someone will come to get you. Do not just walk back stage.
13) If the production has a musical number in it, don’t sing along! Don’t even hum the tune. It’s distracting, and your not the vocalist people want to hear.
14) Asking a friend who is performing in a production that you want to see for comp tickets to their show is acceptable, but you should never ask or expect more than two comp tickets without expressing extreme concern for abusing the situation.

Chapter 2: Cell Phones

We all have them. We all use them, and now days blue tooth headsets are also becoming quite popular. Lets take a quick minute to review some proper etiquette for good cell phone use.

1) Turn the cell phone off! You don’t want to be that person who gets a call during the middle of a production, or movie.
2) Don’t use a silent mode in a live theater production. It will still vibrate, and those vibrations can be disturbing to those around you. Especially if it is rattling against the metal or plastic seat that you may be sitting in.
3) Don’t just turn off all the sounds of your phone. Even if it doesn’t make a sound, it will still light up when it receives a message or a call. That is really distracting in a dark theater.
4) Take off your Blue Tooth! You may not notice the soft blinking blue light produced by your blue tooth headset every two seconds, but the guy behind you will. Be courteous.
5) Don’t Text, Tweet, Update any social networking sites during a performance. Who ever it is that you want to talk to, be it your friend or your web blog, they will still be there when the show’s over. Most shows are only a couple of hours long anyways.

(To Be Continued...)
 
(Continued from Above)


Chapter 3: Rules Every Actor or Performer Should Know and Follow

1) Never change the production of the show once it has been set in final dress rehearsal unless approved by the director.
2) Never make any wardrobe changes unless approved by costuming & wardrobe.
3) Respect the authority of the stage manager and/ or assistant director.
4) Never leave the rehearsal space, or theater until you have been released or without the knowledge of your location by the director, assistant director, or a stage manager.
5) It is usually good etiquette to not be seen by any member of the audience prior to the show’s execution.
6) It is usually viewed as good etiquette to greet your audience and thank them for attending your show after the show is over. Usually this is done in the lobby. Some people call this a Meet and Greet or a M&G.
7) If your show relies on audience participation, it is usually a good idea to peer out into the audience prior to the shows start to get a feel for the house.
8) Never speak to or approach an actor who is waiting for an entrance.
9) Never touch a piece of sound equipment, lighting, or other props that are not directly related to your function or performance on stage.
10) Be ready for your entrances.
11) Do not loiter in the wings.
12) Never leave the theater in any part of your costume.
13) Don’t wear your performance costumes out in public.
14) Anytime anyone calls out a time check, or gives a direction reply “Thank You {and repeat the direction or time}” Example: Five Minutes to House: “Thank You Five Minutes!”
15) A lot of productions give comp seats or concessions to their cast. Don’t expect them, and always be grateful to receive them.
16) Never bring anyone backstage or into the actors green room without prior permission from the cast or the director. It’s an invasion of their space, and a safety hazard for the guests.
17) If you are going to eat while in costume, wear a robe.
18) Be silent backstage during rehearsals and production.
19) Be respectful to everyone, from cast, to production crew, to even your ushers. We’re all on the same team.
20) Always be early to any call time.
21) Always be ready and waiting in the green room, and/ or theater at least 30 minutes prior to any show start time.
22) Take a minute before each show to stretch out, both physically and vocally.
23) Never consider yourself un-replaceable.
24) Check your attitudes and egos at the door. Don’t be a diva.
25) Accept as gospel fact any advice, notes, or direction given to you by the director, assistant director, or stage manager. You may politely make a suggestion, but never argue. It’s their production, not yours.
26) Be responsible. Make sure you have all of your props, costume, sound, and anything else you need in working order prior to the show. Something breaking down is excusable, forgetting to have something is not.
27) The show must go on. Make proper preparations to contend with any known or suspected illness or injury. In smaller productions there may not be an understudy for your part, and you may be required to take the stage regardless of your condition.
28) Report any injury, sickness, or safety concern immediately to your stage manager, assistant director or director.

Chapter 4: Etiquette for the Magician

1) Never expose, or explain how an effect is done.
2) Never expose, or explain how another magicians effects are done.
3) Never perform in someone else’s venue, doubly so if they are performing that night.
4) It is generally a good idea to know who the other performers are in a venue that you happen to be entertaining at, if you have other entertainers beside yourself.
5) If you are sharing a room or a table with other magicians then it is polite to only perform one trick or routine before asking another magician if they wish to perform. Proceed with your act only if they decline.
6) Always yield your performances to any scheduled act.
7) Don’t volunteer to be an audience participation person during an act. If selected, accept, and do everything within your power to add to the success of the performer.
8) Always speak glowingly of any other magicians act. If you must give a negative critique, then try to accompany the negative remark with a positive one to give balance.
9) Try to keep as low of a profile as possible, especially if you walk in on another act in progress.
10) Never perform the same effect that another magician is performing in a venue. Doubly so if you are also on the playbill. If you are working with someone else who does similar acts, discuss with them prior to the show to work out what material who is doing.
11) Always try to do what ever you can to insure the success of a fellow magicians act. Encourage clapping, audience participation, assistance (ONLY if called upon), etc.
12) Always offer a polite ovation at the end of each magical moment, production, or revelation.

(To Be Continued...)
 

RickEverhart

forum moderator / t11
Elite Member
Sep 14, 2008
3,637
471
47
Louisville, OH
Nice Read Draven. I enjoyed it and agree with it 100 percent. When I went to see Coppefield

I saw many people drinking alcohol in the seats and eating snacks. I saw many people who dressed up for the event and others who showed up looking like they just walked off the street and decided to come in for the show.

The cell phone are what kill me. Especially at movie theaters. All these teens leave their phones on vibrate but you can still see them texting with the bright blue screens. Unbelievable.
 
Feb 16, 2009
217
0
South Bend, IN
Chapter 4: Etiquette for the Magician

8) Always speak glowingly of any other magicians act. If you must give a negative critique, then try to accompany the negative remark with a positive one to give balance.

(To Be Continued...)

Are you sure about this one? I have read a few negative reviews of Criss Angel's "Believe" and they did not have much positive stuff in them to balance out the negatives. Sometimes, a reviewer just needs to be brutally honest and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
 
May 8, 2008
1,081
0
Cumbria, UK
Are you sure about this one? I have read a few negative reviews of Criss Angel's "Believe" and they did not have much positive stuff in them to balance out the negatives. Sometimes, a reviewer just needs to be brutally honest and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

I think he's referring more to walking out of the performance and saying 'that was crap' loudly. The thing with reviews is that they have to be honest, as people make up their mind whether to buy a product or see a show based on the reviews.

A couple of suggestions that you might want to add to the 'Actor or Performer' section:

Always support any other cast members fully, even if you don't get on well. No feuds whilst performing, onstage or off. Give everyone a 'well done' or suchlike as they come off.

Never say the word 'Macbeth' before going onstage. This may sound silly, but some people believe it to be bad luck, and, when people are nervous before going onstage, any hint at all at bad luck will undoubtedly bring bad luck. It's a psychological thing, and not one you want to test.
 
Nov 20, 2007
4,410
6
Sydney, Australia
Never say the word 'Macbeth' before going onstage. This may sound silly, but some people believe it to be bad luck, and, when people are nervous before going onstage, any hint at all at bad luck will undoubtedly bring bad luck. It's a psychological thing, and not one you want to test.

Duuuude. I work as a professional actor. Trust me: DON'T DO IT!

A couple of years ago I did a production of a play called The Illusion - adapted by Tony Kushner from the french play, L'illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille.

A friend of mine was cast with me; he didn't have many lines, but amongst his functions was the guardian of the wall between the two worlds - we set up a stage extension so that within the course of the action, there would be a play within a play. Separating this stage extension from the main stage was a big curtain. One of his major functions was to operate this curtain.

He didn't believe in the Scottish Play legend, so, much to everyone's chagrin, he yelled it out in the theatre on opening night (NB: It is also bad luck to whistle. If you by accident do any of these things, you must run around the theatre three times) - several times.

5 minutes into the show, the curtain broke, and very nearly broke his arm.

At the interval, they fixed up the curtain, and all was well again.

15 minutes into the second show, the curtain broke again.

He has never said the name of the Scottish Play since - not inside a theatre, not outside a theatre, he has never even written the name down on paper - when he was examined on the play, he wrote "The Scottish Play" throughout his entire essay.

Moral of the story: DO NOT say the name of the Scottish Play within a theatre. Just don't.
 
Oct 27, 2009
71
0
Philippines
Duuuude. I work as a professional actor. Trust me: DON'T DO IT!

A couple of years ago I did a production of a play called The Illusion - adapted by Tony Kushner from the french play, L'illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille.

A friend of mine was cast with me; he didn't have many lines, but amongst his functions was the guardian of the wall between the two worlds - we set up a stage extension so that within the course of the action, there would be a play within a play. Separating this stage extension from the main stage was a big curtain. One of his major functions was to operate this curtain.

He didn't believe in the Scottish Play legend, so, much to everyone's chagrin, he yelled it out in the theatre on opening night (NB: It is also bad luck to whistle. If you by accident do any of these things, you must run around the theatre three times) - several times.

5 minutes into the show, the curtain broke, and very nearly broke his arm.

At the interval, they fixed up the curtain, and all was well again.

15 minutes into the second show, the curtain broke again.

He has never said the name of the Scottish Play since - not inside a theatre, not outside a theatre, he has never even written the name down on paper - when he was examined on the play, he wrote "The Scottish Play" throughout his entire essay.

Moral of the story: DO NOT say the name of the Scottish Play within a theatre. Just don't.

Was about to test it for tomorrow's performance :D
 
Are you sure about this one? I have read a few negative reviews of Criss Angel's "Believe" and they did not have much positive stuff in them to balance out the negatives. Sometimes, a reviewer just needs to be brutally honest and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

Reviews are one thing all together different. I'm talking about going to a production and being around people and talking negatively about one of the acts. Especially if the goal is to improve your image in the minds of those you are talking to. It's just bad showmanship.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll add them in asap.
 
May 8, 2008
1,081
0
Cumbria, UK
Duuuude. I work as a professional actor. Trust me: DON'T DO IT!

A couple of years ago I did a production of a play called The Illusion - adapted by Tony Kushner from the french play, L'illusion Comique by Pierre Corneille.

A friend of mine was cast with me; he didn't have many lines, but amongst his functions was the guardian of the wall between the two worlds - we set up a stage extension so that within the course of the action, there would be a play within a play. Separating this stage extension from the main stage was a big curtain. One of his major functions was to operate this curtain.

He didn't believe in the Scottish Play legend, so, much to everyone's chagrin, he yelled it out in the theatre on opening night (NB: It is also bad luck to whistle. If you by accident do any of these things, you must run around the theatre three times) - several times.

5 minutes into the show, the curtain broke, and very nearly broke his arm.

At the interval, they fixed up the curtain, and all was well again.

15 minutes into the second show, the curtain broke again.

He has never said the name of the Scottish Play since - not inside a theatre, not outside a theatre, he has never even written the name down on paper - when he was examined on the play, he wrote "The Scottish Play" throughout his entire essay.

Moral of the story: DO NOT say the name of the Scottish Play within a theatre. Just don't.

Ah, not good at all. It just goes to show what happens when you tempt fate ;)
 

Justin.Morris

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2007
2,814
898
Canada
www.morrismagic.ca
Hey great read Will,

Just something to add regarding the talking in the seats and opening candy etc.
Another reason these things are not polite is because most people don't know or realize that a theater is designed in such a way that acoustically, the sound travels better towards the stage than it does from the stage to the seats. So as an actor, I can hear every word or crinkle of a wrapper that people are saying. It has potential to be very distracting for those on stage.

justin
 
Searching...
0 Results