Theatre Etiquette: A First-Timer's Guide to Enjoying a Live Show
Going to a live play for the first time can feel a little intimidating. When should you arrive? Can you bring a drink in? When do you clap? The good news is that theatre etiquette is mostly common sense and consideration for the people around you and on stage. This guide covers the basics, with examples from the house rules Apple Hill Playhouse shared with its audiences over the years.
Before the show
Book ahead and understand your tickets
Many theatres, especially small community venues, sell out popular performances. Booking ahead secures a seat and lets you choose where to sit. Check whether your tickets are for reserved seating, where you have a specific seat, or general admission, where seats are first come, first served.
Apple Hill used reserved seating for most shows, and its archived guide explains how patrons reserved specific seats and collected tickets before the performance. Its special courthouse productions, on the other hand, were general admission, with doors opening half an hour before the show so patrons could choose their seats. You can read how the system worked on our ticket reservations archive page.
Arrive in good time
Aim to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before curtain. That leaves time to park, collect tickets, visit the restroom and find your seat without rushing. Late arrival is the most common etiquette problem in any theatre. Many venues will not seat latecomers until a suitable pause, and some wait until intermission. Apple Hill's children's theatre policy was explicit: latecomers would not be seated until intermission.
Dress comfortably
There is rarely a dress code at community theatres. Smart-casual is always safe, and many people dress up for an opening night or a special occasion. In older or rural venues, bring a layer, as auditoriums can be warm in summer and cool once the air conditioning is running.
During the performance
Silence your phone completely
Switch your phone off or to silent, and turn off vibration too; in a quiet scene, a buzzing phone is clearly audible. Keep screens away during the show. The glow of a phone is distracting in a dark auditorium, and it is noticeable from the stage as well.
No photos or recordings
Most productions do not allow photography or recording during the performance. This protects the performers, respects the rights of the writers and composers and avoids distracting flashes. If you want a keepsake, a photo of the set before the show or in the lobby is usually fine; ask an usher if you are unsure.
Keep conversation for the interval
Whispering carries further than people think, especially in small theatres where the back row may be only a few metres from the stage. Save comments for the interval or the drive home.
Be careful with food and drink
Rules vary. Some theatres allow drinks bought at the concession stand into the auditorium; others do not. Avoid noisy wrappers, and unwrap sweets before the lights go down.
Stay in your seat
If you need to leave during the performance, do so quietly and preferably at a scene change. You may not be allowed back in until a suitable moment.
Applause and audience reactions
Live theatre is a two-way experience, and actors feed off the audience's energy. Laughing at the jokes in a comedy, reacting to a surprise and applauding after a big musical number are all welcome. As a rule of thumb:
- Applaud at the end of each act and at the curtain call.
- In musicals, applause after individual songs is normal.
- In dramas, follow the lead of the audience; applause usually comes at the end of scenes or acts rather than mid-scene.
- A standing ovation is a personal choice, not an obligation.
Bringing children
Live theatre can be a wonderful experience for children if the show suits their age. Children's theatres design their shows for young audiences, but family-friendly etiquette still applies.
- Check age guidance. Apple Hill's children's theatre discouraged children under three from attending. Mainstage productions sometimes carried content warnings; its 2011 courtroom drama Nuts did not admit anyone under 16.
- Everyone needs a ticket. Most theatres require a ticket for every person entering the auditorium, including young children.
- Have an exit plan. If a child becomes restless, step out for a few minutes so others can enjoy the show. Apple Hill asked parents to do exactly that.
- Prepare them. Explain beforehand that the lights will go down, that the audience stays quiet and that they can laugh and clap at the right moments.
Our guide to the Johnny Appleseed Children's Theatre has more on what makes a good first show for young children.
Intermission
Most plays and musicals have one intermission of about 15 minutes. Use it for the restroom, refreshments and a stretch, and head back when the lights flash or a bell rings. If you have left belongings on your seat, they will be where you left them, but take valuables with you.
After the show
Stay for the curtain call if you can; it is the cast's moment to thank the audience and yours to thank them. Many community theatres welcome audiences to meet the cast afterwards. Apple Hill's children's theatre held a meet-and-greet after each performance in 2014, which young fans loved. Be patient in the car park, and if you enjoyed the show, tell your friends. Word of mouth matters enormously to small theatres.
A quick checklist
- Book ahead and check your seating type.
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early.
- Switch off your phone completely.
- No photos or recordings during the show.
- Keep quiet during scenes and unwrap sweets early.
- Check age guidance before bringing children.
- Applaud generously and stay for the curtain call.
Conclusion
Theatre etiquette comes down to respect for the performers and for the people sitting around you. Follow these simple habits and you will be free to relax and enjoy what makes live theatre special: a story happening in front of you, never quite the same twice. If you are planning a special evening, our dinner theatre guide explains how to combine a meal with a show.