Don't be the White Rabbit

If you dine out before attending the theatre, use the restroom at the restaurant as theatre restrooms often have long lines. And leave yourself lots of time to get to the theatre; park; walk-in; purchase, pickup, or present your tickets; check your coats; pickup programs; and find your seats.

To avoid being late, plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Sometimes heavy traffic, crowded parking lots, or other unexpected circumstances make it impossible to arrive on time. However, if you arrive late, you must wait patiently until there is a break in the act, performance, or symphony. Many theatres lock the auditorium doors when the performance begins or restarts after an intermission. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to or return to your seat.

Specific policies for late seating are typically set by the production company and followed by the house managers or ushers. Do not argue with the ushers about having to wait, they are just doing their job. Many theatres have a television screen in the lobby showing the performance while you wait. If the ushers seat you during the performance, it may not be in the seat you purchased, but in a convenient seating area that causes less distraction to other seated guests. Remain in those seats until the house lights come on at intermission, then most theatres allow you to take advantage of the break to find and use your purchased seat.

Fancy, Formal, Semi-formal, Business, Casual, or What?

Few theatres enforce dress codes these days, but if you have any doubts, contact the box office or theatre in advance to find out. If they have none, and depending on the type of performance or venue, you may want to make the night special by dressing up anyway. Opening night of a performance is often a dress-up night, and you may want to wear more formal clothes no matter when you attend. Try dressing up and you’ll feel different!
Remember to go easy with the atomizer: many people are highly allergic to perfume and cologne. Also, be aware that hats and large hairdos impede sightlines for audience members behind you.  If needed, you could be asked to move.
Consider taking a coat, sweater, or wrap - even in the summer. Air conditioning or other drafts can make the theatre experience a bit chilling in some houses. If you don't need it, most theatres allow you to check it at the cloak room.

Ticketing is Important

Purchasing a ticket is typically required for a theatre performance and it will be for a specific date and show. Be sure to check your ticket when you buy it, because tickets are not usually refundable or exchangeable.  If you lose your ticket, contact the theatre's box office immediately to determine your options.

Unless you will be purchasing your ticket at the show or picking it up at will call, don't forget to bring your ticket to the theatre.  If you have multiple tickets for a theatre, as is the case with many season ticket holders, be sure to bring the correct ticket for the correct date and time.  If you leave your ticket at home, some theatre box offices may be able to give you a reprint or pass if you can produce the receipt, credit card, or correct ID used to originally purchase the ticket.
Always remember to ask about any special accommodations you may need, such as wheelchair seating, avoiding steps, or assistive devices. If you forget, try to contact the theatre at least two-weeks in advance of the performance to make arrangements. Though every theatre expects these requests, they can be difficult to satisfy when you ask at the last minute.
Remember that a ticket is typically revocable without any refund if you cause a serious disturbance or otherwise violate the law or policies of the theatre.  Under these circumstances, you may be asked to view the show from the lobby or even ejected from the premises.
If you don't like a performance, some theatres may give you a partial refund or discount on another performance if you walk out early in the show.  But don't expect this type of response; its not a common occurrence.
If you buy your tickets online, be sure to print the receipt or online tickets when given the opportunity to do so.  Be certain these documents print out clearly.  If they contain bar-codes, be sure they print at the original size.  Bar-codes typically must be printed in dark black on white if the theatre uses automated ticket scanners.  Folding a document across the middle of a bar code can also prevent it from scanning.  If your documents cannot be printed correctly at home, consider using will-call pickup or calling the box office in advance of the show to explore other options.

Why Theatre Etiquette?

"At a matinee of the musical version of "Sunset Boulevard," for which I had scored a last-minute ticket, cameras flashed when Glenn Close made her first-act entrance as Norma Desmond. The flashes continued through her solo.

Striding downstage and signaling the orchestra in true diva fashion, Close delivered her ultimatum: 'Ladies and gentlemen, we can either have a photo session or we can go on with the show, but we cannot do both.'

Wild applause erupted and the show went on, though laughter and more applause greeted the star's first line of dialogue after the interruption. "Now go!" she commanded the intruder into her mansion."

The above was copied from an article originally found at Centre Daily. I also heard about this incident and some similar performance interruptions by other actors in other articles. While I'm not certain I completely agree with Ms. Close's action, I very much understand the frustration she, and probably much of her audience, were feeling.

Everyone who attends a theatre performance should thoroughly enjoy that experience. The performers and all of the people behind the scenes have worked very hard to create an entertainment event. Audience members should show everyone the respect they deserve. Then they will enjoy the event more, too. In my next posts, I will introduce twenty etiquette tips that will enhance the theatre experience for everyone. I hope that my readers will comment freely, but respectfully.