29 replies to this topic

[fandeballet]

I have been thinking when the program at the MET would have the do's and don'ts of how people should act during a performance.

I think we should request that should be done on permanent basis.

Could we think of doing that somewhere on this website???????????????

It could be the start of a movement of more civility, perhaps.  We owe it to ourselves and others to try.   

[Hans]

The Kennedy Center as a page about theater etiquette in its playbill.  I'm surprised places like the Met haven't followed suit.

[MichelleW]

A girlfriend and I call the disturbing phenomenon of the enthusiastically shouted "waaaahooooooooooooooooo" at the ballet, opera or theater the "NASCAR phenomenon."  I would contend that it seems to have become far more prevalent in the last 10-15 years.

We had a lively discussion about it just prior to curtain at the Kennedy Center's Kirov performance last Friday night, so we were well pleased to hear a chorus of enthusiastic "Bravo" and "Bravas" coming from all around us in the audience.

Edited by MichelleW, 11 July 2005 - 08:00 AM.

[bart]

For those who missed it last spring, here's a pretty interesting exchange about the topic of bravo v. wahoo etc. here:

Link

[Hans]

fandeballet, I like your suggestion for a list of etiquette guidelines on the site--perhaps it could be a sticky in one of the forums.

[bart]

Hans is right -- a good idea for a this site, and it would be interesting to see what sort of do's and don'ts we could actually agree upon.

The problem with "How to Behave at the Ballet" guidelines in ballet programs -- and, in at least one case I've seen, a major part of the subscription information package -- is that people who need them don't read them, and people who don't need them feel somehow condescended to.

Audiences at classical arts performances are already SO FAR AHEAD of the general public in terms of controlling their behavior and respecting the experience of their neighbors.  How much further can they move  from what's considered the normin most other forms of public entertaiment?

[Mrs. Stahlbaum]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here's a link to Houston Ballet's website with guidelines on children attending ballets.

[Mel Johnson]

Maybe the theater could learn something from the Royal Opera House and have bewigged and liveried footmen at either side of the proscenium - then give them each a .30 caliber M1917 Browning Automatic Rifle and tell them to blast anybody who is naughty.  

[carbro]

I think that after the conductor takes the podium, the lead couple should emerge before the curtain and say:

Quote

Ladies and gentlemen,
We've worked very hard to give you an enjoyable, satisfying experience tonight.  In consideration of your fellow audience members, please do not talk or whisper, hum, open candies, allow your cell phone to ring, lean forward in your seat, fuss, fidget, snore or engage in other rude, self-centered behavior.

As for this site, I think posting a sticky would be preaching to the choir.  We're not the problem.

[fandeballet]

OK, we don't need a guideline for this website.  But,   could we petition performing arts venues and/or troupes to set minimum age and "consideration of your fellow audience members" guidelines??? A grassroots type of campaign????????  We have to stop complaining and try to do something about the downward trend of audience conduct!!!   

[E Johnson]

NYCB distributes a set of guidelines for children, but really they apply to everyone. Don't make noise, go to the bathroom ahead of time, etc.  (I drummed these into my son's head so well that when I answered one of his questions during The Nutcracker quietly, he whispered back very clearly "Mommy! at the ballet you have to WHISPER!"  As for minimum ages: he was three when he said this. )

[fandeballet]

Again,  it shows that there will be many exceptions.  But, it came down to the fact that Mr. Johnson did his homework. And knew his child's capabilities. My girls were around 4 when they sat down for their 1st opera(1act only) or a ballet. But there are alot of parents who don't have a clue about what they are doing when bringing their child to a theater like the MET.

[Helene]

fandeballet, on Jul 12 2005, 08:51 AM, said:

But there are alot of parents who don't have a clue about what they are doing when bringing their child to a theater like the MET.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is true if one gives them the benefit of the doubt and says that they have simply become oblivious to any noise their children make or it is a misguided attempt to train a child to behave in a theater.

Unfortunately, many do know what they are doing -- saving the trouble and cost of hiring a babysitter, and bringing children who are too young or immature or unprepared to understand their setting -- but that doesn't translate into consideration for their fellow audience members.

The "but I spent $100 on these seats, including one for Kid, and I'm not leaving now" or "It would break Older Child's heart to leave because Younger Child is crying" arguments doesn't hold water, although they hold sway.  One of the tradeoffs of training children for the theater is the willingness to bail when the child is unable to behave properly, and to consider the tickets a sunk cost, and to prepare Older Child for the possibility.  (Don't bet what you're not willing to lose.)  To the argument that then the child has "won," perhaps, the battle, but not the war, which is a longer-term prospect, and it could be a while before the child is invited to the next performance.

Teaching a child to behave in the theater is a process, and teaching mode is about the student and the "material."  If the teacher/parent gets to see a performance in the process, that's gravy.

[fandeballet]

Helene, on Jul 12 2005, 12:21 PM, said:

fandeballet, on Jul 12 2005, 08:51 AM, said:

But there are alot of parents who don't have a clue about what they are doing when bringing their child to a theater like the MET.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That is true if one gives them the benefit of the doubt and says that they have simply become oblivious to any noise their children make or it is a misguided attempt to train a child to behave in a theater.

Unfortunately, many do know what they are doing -- saving the trouble and cost of hiring a babysitter, and bringing children who are too young or immature or unprepared to understand their setting -- but that doesn't translate into consideration for their fellow audience members.

The "but I spent $100 on these seats, including one for Kid, and I'm not leaving now" or "It would break Older Child's heart to leave because Younger Child is crying" arguments doesn't hold water, although they hold sway.  One of the tradeoffs of training children for the theater is the willingness to bail when the child is unable to behave properly, and to consider the tickets a sunk cost, and to prepare Older Child for the possibility.  (Don't bet what you're not willing to lose.)  To the argument that then the child has "won," perhaps, the battle, but not the war, which is a longer-term prospect, and it could be a while before the child is invited to the next performance.

Teaching a child to behave in the theater is a process, and teaching mode is about the student and the "material."  If the teacher/parent gets to see a performance in the process, that's gravy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

              Helene,  I agree with what you said.   It seems to me that a portion of the audience/society still needs to learn some things.
              And when ushers get involved, it can get more heated, because they are not on the same level as an audience member,  who if not trained right, will not acknowledge the usher's duty to help enforce rules. Rules that help make a performance as enjoyable to as many people, if not everyone, as possible.

[bart]

One problem with ushers -- many ushers in regional arts centers are volunteers, often a bit elderly, and not professionally trained to handle this.  The house has its own paid employees, but there are significantly fewer of them.