The WestCoast Entertainment Study Guide To Theatre Etiquette and Terminology
The following study guide was written to assist teachers in explaining theatre etiquette to children. We recommend using it to introduce your class to the guidelines and etiquette expected when attending live theatre events so that all audience members will be able to enjoy the performance with few distractions. The Theatre Experience A live theatrical production is exciting and vibrant. The actors, the audience, and the backstage personnel are all part of the experience. You, as part of the audience play an important role in the atmosphere of the production and your response to the performance of the entertainers. It helps them (and can hinder them) in their performance. Remind your class that everyone will have an especially wonderful time at the performance by remembering their theatre manners.			A live theatrical production is exciting and vibrant. The actors, the audience, and the backstage personnel are all part of the experience.

Here is how students can help:

• It is important to remain seated throughout the entire performance.
• Restroom visits are best made before the show begins.
• Photography and recording during the performance are not permitted.
• Lights Out = Quiet Time. When the lights in the theatre dim to blackout, this is a signal that the show is about to begin. Please make sure the students settle down and get ready for the performance. When the lights on the stage come up, all attention should be on the performance.
• Give your full attention and energy to the performers. In return, the performers give it back to you with a better performance.
• Don’t talk during the show unless you are asked. Sometimes we think that if we whisper, it is okay. But if everyone in the audience whispers, it can be disruptive to the performers.
• Turn watches, pagers and cell phones to silent.
• Do not interrupt performers with comments that may disrupt the performance for others.
• Show the performers your appreciation for their efforts! When there are parts of the production that you particularly enjoy, naturally you should feel free to laugh and clap.
• Please do not put your feet on the seats or other furnishings. This will damage them and the theatre will not be as nice for future visitors.
• The usual rule in theatres where live performances are given is that there is NO eating or drinking in the theatre. While permitted in movie theatres it is extremely distracting not only to the other audience members, but also to the actors

We hope you enjoy this theater experience and that you will return, either with your class or with your friends and family to enjoy other presentations that may interest you. Your cooperation will ensure a well-focused environment for everyone to enjoy, cherish, and remember.

Thank you!

The WestCoast Entertainment Staff

Pre-Performance Activities and Questions

1. How many of you have experienced a live theater performance? What did you see?

2. What are some differences between going to the theatre and watching TV or going to a movie?

3. Discuss the role of the audience and proper theatre etiquette.

4. Introduce your students to the words from Theatre Arts Vocabulary:

Actor/Actress - A theatrical performer
Applause - Approval expressed by the clapping of hands
Backstage - The area behind and to the side of the part of the stage where the action of the performance takes place.
Cast - The actors in a production
Choreographer - The person who develops and arranges the dance movements for the dancers and actors
Composer - A person who writes music
Costume - A style of clothes, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, characteristic of a particular country, period or cultural, worn on-stage during a theatrical production
Crew - The group of people who run the various technical operations during a performance, including the lighting, curtain, set, scene changes, sound effects and props.
Designers - Individuals who create the set, costumes, lighting and sound effects for the performance
Director - The person who supervises all the artists during rehearsals and instructs all dramatic aspects of the production
Lyricist - The person who write the words for a song
Musical Theatre - A play that uses music, song and dance to tell the story
Play - A staged representation of an action or story
Playwright - The person who writes plays
Props - All objects used in a theatrical production
Score - The sheet music that the actor memorizes and performs
Script - Pages from which the actors read their lines
Stage Manager - The person who assists the director during rehearsal and supervises the physical aspects of a stage production

Post-Performance Activities

1. Below are lists of some of the many careers available in the arts. What career would you consider interesting? Where do you think you could go to learn more about it?

Accompanist Actor/Actress Conductor
Band Director Artist Lighting Designer
Props Designer Concert Singer Special Effects
Composer Stage Director Art Teacher
Instrumentalist Scenic Designer Costume Designer
Publisher Artistic Director Makeup Artist
Critic Music Teacher Stage Hand
Casting Director Dancer Musician
Stage Manager Choir Director Dialect Coach
Camera Operator Cinematographer Theatre Director
Orchestrator Choreographer Extra Painter
Computer Graphics Illustrator Fashion Designer Producer Vocalist

2. Have students draw a picture or write a paragraph incorporating the following questions in their answers.

What was your favorite part of the performance?
Who was your favorite character?
Who would you most like to be if you were an actor in this show?
Would you change the costume of your character? Why or why not?
If you were the director, what would you have done differently?