https://www.reddit.com/r/Boise/comments/1ifpy1i/is_theater_etiquette_dead/
created by AcademicUsual5146 on 02/02/2025 at 05:12 UTC
179 upvotes, 35 top-level comments (showing 25)
I am by no means a Karen, but holy moly, I’m disappointed by people. Just got out of seeing Hamilton at the Morrison Center, and we had two different couples talking and making out every 10 mins or so. People behind crackling their snack wrapper without regard for any noise being made. And other people treating it like a comedy show. I understand theater is somewhat interactive, but I wish there was even just a little effort put into staying quiet and behaving.
I expect it at movie theaters at the point, but I thought the theater was still a place of a little decorum…
Comment by Comfortable-Figure17 at 02/02/2025 at 05:47 UTC
168 upvotes, 4 direct replies
Former theater dweeb from NY here. Ushers should have been on this, quieting noisy folks and keeping folks from entering after the program began. Theater management might welcome your comments.
Comment by Zosia1991 at 02/02/2025 at 06:51 UTC
66 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I agree that theater and concert etiquette are abysmal. I taught music for 20 years. Over the course of my career I taught elementary music HS/MS choir and band. For context it was in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho.
I had concerts with students each year. It became more and more unpleasant with each passing year. I got to the point where I actually talked to the audiences about concert etiquette.
I spent months preparing for each performance. The students were very proud of their hard work and were very excited to perform.
My well prepared, excited kids could not be heard because the attendees acted like they were at a basketball game. If THEIR kid was not performing they wouldn’t stop talking. I decided I would try to wait them out. I announced the next group and asked the audience to be quiet because we were ready to start.
I think I could have stood there for hours. I asked several times to be quiet. I was one step away from yelling SHUT UP into the microphone. (I didn’t) The volume did not change. I just continued with the performances because the show had to go on. I was appalled. I was disappointed. I was sad for the kids who worked so hard for the performance.
This scenario is the norm. People have no respect and they act like barbarians. I taught my students about proper concert etiquette but what good did it do when their parents don’t care. BTW… this was across ALL socioeconomic levels.
I don’t know what the answer is… rudeness and selfishness are pervasive in our society. It spills over into the spaces where we should EXPECT politeness and decorum.
Comment by ItsKindaTricky at 02/02/2025 at 05:54 UTC
27 upvotes, 0 direct replies
A well timed SSHhhh is worth a million Hamiltons
Comment by parks_and_wreck_ at 02/02/2025 at 06:31 UTC
8 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Bro I straight up feel no shame in responding with a loud “SSSHHHH!” to these people. You’re not going to be any louder than they are, and you’ll likely get them to shut the fuck up—so even if anyone thought about being annoyed with you for shushing others, they’d appreciate it soon after.
This really does work. I’ve had to do it before several times during a movie in theaters, and that was $12, not $250-$600.
During intermission, you can also grab an usher and ask them to pay attention to whatever row the commotion is coming from, so they can catch them in the act.
Comment by MerleHagrid at 02/02/2025 at 14:42 UTC
7 upvotes, 0 direct replies
That’s too bad. We went a few nights ago and were pleasantly surprised by how quiet and respectful everyone was being. Even at intermission, one woman who was ‘dancing’ in her seat (but seated and quiet) asked if she was bothering anyone and we all said no. Even with everyone being respectful, I did feel like the Morrison Center should preface the show with some basic etiquette reminders.
Comment by DreamyCait at 02/02/2025 at 05:52 UTC
35 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Theatre is interactive! Laughing, cheering and reacting is fuel for the people on stage. The more responsive the audience, the better the actors do. They can 100% feel your energy!
All that said, I am VERY much on your side for making out, getting up during the show, and crinkling snacks. I’m also aghast at the sheer amount of people I’ve seen in sweatpants or even pajamas! I always wear a dress or a nice top.
Comment by morosco at 02/02/2025 at 08:13 UTC*
10 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Broadway itself has this problem once shows go mainstream. People think its a concert.
Comment by Motor-March3250 at 02/02/2025 at 13:47 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
The Boise Contemporary Theatre is in my experience better in terms of etiquette. It’s so intimate, no one would get away with it.
Comment by AbsTheRandom at 02/02/2025 at 17:39 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Idk if it’s a Boise thing or a post Covid thing but I feel like audiences are different now. I had the same experience watching Hamilton at Morrison Center and not as bad but still people talking when I saw Beetlejuice there and we were in the 5th row!!! Same with community choir concerts and plays people won’t shut up. And at concerts where you’re SUPPOSED to bring the energy I feel like 75% of the room is standing silent or on their phones or having group convos in the middle of a set. It’s rude to the other people in the audience trying to enjoy and it’s incredibly rude to the performers.
Comment by dobeabsurd at 02/02/2025 at 18:42 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It's very baffling to me that people would spend so much money on Hamilton tickets just to make out and not pay attention.
Comment by ElectricBOOTSxo at 02/02/2025 at 20:25 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Thought this to myself when we saw it Wednesday. The guy next to me having a full blown conversation. I shot him the death stare so then he decides to start scrolling his feed with full brightness on like … wtf? Why are you here?
Comment by ESLcroooow at 02/02/2025 at 05:24 UTC
38 upvotes, 4 direct replies
There's nothing rich folk love more, than going to the Morrison Center and slummin' with the poor
Daddy said not to go downtown
Comment by FFSBoise at 02/02/2025 at 16:32 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Ushers need to be equipped with lasers to target offenders.
Comment by Public-Pop-4296 at 02/02/2025 at 17:51 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This is why I Don't go to concerts anymore. People aren't there to enjoy the entertainment, they are there to post to social media.
Comment by GeorgeKitleHypeTrain at 02/02/2025 at 14:26 UTC
14 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People in this country are assholes. They elected a pedophile Insurrectionist felon
Comment by gbbgun at 02/02/2025 at 06:28 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I think about this question every time I’m at the Morrison Center. Part of theater etiquette I learned is you always pass facing those you are passing. Guess that has long been abandoned.
Comment by MsMcSlothyFace at 02/02/2025 at 06:45 UTC
11 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Look on the bright side. At least Lauren boebert wasn't there
Comment by ChelanMan at 02/02/2025 at 18:18 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
People suck in general. Manners, etiquette and class are all in short supply now days.
Comment by Roopie1023 at 02/02/2025 at 19:56 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
We caught the matinee yesterday, and the couple in front of us was completely ignoring their very bored and antsy 8yo kid. In fact, I didn't even realize they were the parents, until the people on the other side of him left during intermission. Candy wrappers, dropped change, crinkling the plastic on his water bottle, feet on the seat in front of him...gah.
I'm not looking forward to Wicked coming up - I'm really hoping there will be some announcement stating that it is NOT a singalong performance.
Comment by Mission-Sale7913 at 02/02/2025 at 20:57 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I literally had a lady NEXT to me, humming last night. A few dead looks right at her, she finally stopped. 🫤
Comment by Zosia1991 at 03/02/2025 at 01:22 UTC*
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Music is one of the greatest joys of my life. I immerse myself in performances as well. In my opinion, poor audience behavior is the theft of a life experience. This time and place will never happen again. It is tragic.
Rudeness and selfishness steal experiences from performers and listeners. It’s also part of this… “no one is going to tell me what to do” mentality. I would suggest ushers be more active in enforcing appropriate behavior, but that could be more disruptive or even dangerous.
This just goes along with the general lack of decorum in our society. It is a catastrophic loss.
Comment by SimpleResource8931 at 03/02/2025 at 06:10 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Etiquette is dead and the word is unknown in today's society. It's all about 'ME'...No respect for the performers who work hard at their craft, or the other audience members who really are there to enjoy the performance.
Comment by alykins89 at 02/02/2025 at 06:40 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Ugh. I have given up on people behaving appropriately in movie theaters. But in live settings I expect people to at the very least be courteous of those around them. It’s all about appropriate timing! Sure, between acts or while the orchestra plays between set changes, SURE!!👍 Crinkle those wrappers! Suck face with your date! Share a stupid quip about how you would be so much better than our dear hero of the play!! But when stage lights are up and house lights are down FUCK those people who chat during the show. If it’s an appropriate applause moment then for sure! Chat while people clap! But shut the duck up when the actors move on to the next moment. My in-laws are the absolute WORST about this! I don’t even want to go to a movie with them anymore…much less a live show! We’ve invited the SIL to local comedy but…nope! No more! Because she heckles about stupid shit. Those professionals on stage have given more thought to their farts than you have to your ability to breathe in and out. Stfu and stop flapping your damn program!!
Edit: a couple words for dramatic effect 🫠
Comment by IdislikeSpiders at 02/02/2025 at 13:30 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
My guess is the hype for Hamilton has people going to a theater show, however they have no idea how to act a theater show and are too self involved to notice it.
I always felt out of place in the theater crowd, so I always tried to be quiet and blend in to the environment. Especially after a show at a small theater here in Boise the director publicly eviscerated some lady who answered her unsilenced ringing phone during his spiel about etiquette before the show.
Comment by gexcos at 02/02/2025 at 05:27 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I mentioned this to my partner at 1 p.m. The lack of theater etiquette was wild, just getting up halfway through a song to go to the bathroom. i was surprised they were let back in.