Show Your Appreciation

Most performers appreciate enthusiastic applause at appropriate breaks in the performance, but not whistling or shouting, unless it is "Brava" or "Bravo." When a conductor is present, watch for him to drop his hands to his side as a sign for an appropriate spot, typically at the end of a musical work and not between movements or sections of a single piece. There are exceptions to this rule, like when the big Broadway show stopper has just been completed.

Do laugh in the appropriate places. Remember to always respond respectfully and appropriately. When watching a live performance, the performers will be affected by your reactions.

At the end of the performance, just before or during curtain call, don't rush for the exits. It's very rude to the performers and audience. Even when the parking lot gets busy and public transportation is tricky, leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous to everyone.

Remember to take all of your personal belongings and trash out with you. Return any booster seats, cushions, assistive devices, lap blankets, and other items borrowed or rented from the house to the appropriate place, typically the cloak room or an usher. If in doubt, ask any usher or house manager for assistance.

Sitting Your Seat Well

During the performance, keep feet on the floor, not on the seat or rail in front of you. Sit still in your seat. Don’t switch seats. Ramming elbows into your neighbor or kicking the seat in front of you is highly annoying. Leaning forward also blocks the view of other guests in many theatres. Special note to love birds: When you lean your heads together, you block the view of the people behind you.

Never place any items on the stage, they will distract the audience and could be dangerous to the performers. Keep the aisles clear of all feet, bags, and people. The production may be using the aisles during the performance for entrances or exits. The fire code typically requires aisles to be unblocked.

If you have items too large to fit completely under your seat, you typically need to check them at the cloak room. However, if they are needed for your mobility, such as crutches or walkers, consult with an usher on the best place for them to be stored during the show. Often, ushers will take such items to a nearby location for storage and return them to you at intermission, after the show, or on-demand.