Having been to several theatrical events recently, I‘ve noticed that people seem confused about when they are supposed to applaud at a live event. When I have to pay $100 per ticket to be entertained, I don’t feel that I should have to put forth anything more than my money. So, I get annoyed when I am expected to applaud them for a job well done…let alone more than once. Below is a short guide regarding when you should and should not applaud during live theatre:
You SHOULD applaud
• At the end of a show when the performer/performers step on stage to take their bows.
• When someone finishes a standout solo performance (this should be limited to musical theatre and should be a brief round of applause.)
• After an encore.
• If a lighted sign tells you to applaud (which would be weird, but not unheard of, at an event that’s not being taped.)
You SHOULD NOT applaud
• When someone (no matter how famous) makes an entrance for the first time, before they even get a word out.
• After every scene/song.
• When something exceptionally funny is said or performed (laughing is an appropriate show of appreciation).
• At the end of an act (they’ll be right back after the intermission…the performance isn’t over yet!)
• When a greedy performer makes a second curtain call (or third, etc.) without performing an encore.
• At ANY non-live event (i.e. at the movies – DO NOT applaud at the beginning, middle or end of a movie – NO one is there to appreciate it and you just look stupid to the people around you!)
No one stands behind my desk and claps for me when I do something well. I don’t believe I should be expected to applaud performers for doing their jobs well. That’s what their paid for.
I would go into the topic of standing ovations, except that I think they are so rarely deserved it’s not worth mentioning, so let’s just go ahead and say don’t stand until you’re ready to leave the theatre.
Boo. I agree about the famous person coming on stage and I’m totally with you on the standing ovations . . . I come from the ovation school where you should stand up if the performance moved you so much you couldn’t stand to remain seated. (“stand to remain seated”…see what I did there? ;o)
But, after the first act . . . c’mon, can’t we give ‘em a little something. A smattering of way-to-go-you-made-it-halfway applause. Just a little? They’re actors– they need the applause to feed their egos, no?
Comment by Jacob — December 19, 2008 @ 10:38 pm |
Wait until your kid is in school. No one–and I mean NO ONE–understands the point of a standing O. Elementary school concerts? Always. Middle school? Always. ARGH!
Comment by Jenn — December 23, 2008 @ 4:46 pm |
I will respectfully disagree. I refuse to give standing ovations unless I have been moved to tears, which as we all know is never. They are just plain gratuitous. I will tell my child how amazing their performance was to their face.
Comment by laura819 — December 23, 2008 @ 5:27 pm |