We often hear the old saying that good fences make good neighbors, and that principle applies to more than just property lines. In a shared space like a theater, the rules are the fence. They exist to ensure that everyone can enjoy the experience they paid for without distraction. When someone chooses to ignore those boundaries by constantly using their phone, they are tearing down that fence for everyone else. It is a matter of basic consideration. If you are going to be in a public space, it is your responsibility to respect the common ground and the shared experience of the people sitting next to and behind you.
I was at a play recently and experienced this distraction from the actual performance. About halfway through, the person sitting in front of me started treating their phone like it was the main attraction. They were constantly pulling it out to take pictures or videos and replying to texts. Every time that light shone in my eyes, it felt like a tiny fence was being knocked over. It was frustrating and I did not want to be further interrupted by an usher having to do the rule enforcement.
It just goes to show that being a good neighbor means respecting the shared space we are all in. It is sad how we have reached a point where some people think their notifications are more important than the live art they are paying to see. They are treating the audience like a background for their social media feed. If you cannot respect the fence of the theater rules, maybe you are not the right audience for the show.
Artists Are Pushing Back#
It’s not just audience members who are fed up. Performers have noticed too. Some comedians and musicians now require audiences to lock their phones in small pouches at the door, and the phone is only unlocked when you leave or step out to a designated area. Broadway actors have stopped mid-scene to call out people filming them. Plenty of theaters now play a pre-show announcement that’s longer and more pointed than it used to be, because the polite version wasn’t working.
It says something when the people on stage have to enforce manners. They’re giving a live performance that will never happen exactly the same way again. The least we can do is watch it.
Simple Rules for Being a Good Audience Member#
None of this is complicated, but it’s worth spelling out:
- Silence it and put it away. Not face down on your lap. Away, in a pocket or bag.
- Don’t film or photograph the performance. It’s usually against the rules for copyright reasons, it distracts the performers, and your blurry video is never going to be as good as the memory.
- If you must check it, leave. An emergency is an emergency. Step out to the lobby where your screen won’t light up the row.
- Turn off the smartwatch notifications too. A glowing wrist is just a smaller phone.
- Take your photos before and after. The stage, the set, the marquee, and the people you came with are all fair game before the lights go down and after the curtain call.
Showing consideration to others in shared spaces is part of Midwestern values. Let’s try to be better neighbors. A little consideration goes a long way!
