Download Theatre Etiquette - Riverdale Middle School

Becoming the Critic
Chapter 2
Becoming the Who?
Critic: Any person who publicly
expresses his or her opinion about
a work of art or literature.
Terms of the Trade
Program/Playbill: a pamphlet
given out that tells theatergoers
about the show they are seeing.
This usually contains information
about the play, who is involved,
etc.
Terms of the Trade
Intermission: in theatre, this is a
break taken between acts.
Etiquette: a set of rules of
acceptable behavior in a certain
situation.
Theatre Etiquette
•
Be on time or early. Unlike at the
movies, most live theatres will not let
audience members in once the show
has started.
• No Cell phones. It is disrespectful to
actors and to everyone sitting around
you. This goes for text messaging as
well as talking on the phone.
Theatre Etiquette
•Cut the chitchat. Excessive talking
in the theatre is also very rude. The
theatre is no place for full blown
conversations. In most theaters, the
ushers will usually ask you to leave if
you can’t stop talking.
Theatre Etiquette
•AVOID getting up and leaving during
the performance. This is another rude
and distracting behavior. There’s a
reason that most shows have an
intermission. Even if you hate the play,
the polite thing to do is wait to leave
until intermission.
Theatre Etiquette
•Beware of noisy wrappers.
•Don’t interfere with the performers.
Laughter, audience, and audible
weeping are quite welcome in the
theatre. Heckling actors is not. Flash
photography is almost always
forbidden in the theatre. Keep aisles
clear of your personal effects
Willing Suspension of Disbelief
a phrase originally coined by
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It
means the audience agrees to
accept the unreality of theatrical
event and “pretend” the events
unfolding before them are real.
Curtain Call
when the performers come out
and take their bows for the
audience. It is a chance for the
audience to show their
appreciation for the work the cast
and crew have done on the show.
Standing Ovation
a form of applause where the audience
members leave their seats to clap for the
performers. It is usually reserved for
outstanding performances.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• You should always go into a theatrical
performance with an open mind. However,
it is all right to have your opinions about
what subjects aren’t suitable for the stage.
• It is important to have at least some
knowledge of the play or style of the
theatre you are attending.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• It is also important to have some
knowledge of the production process and
what kind of work goes into producing a
piece of theater.
A Crit-What?
A Critique or review is primarily about giving
your opinion. Don’t tell the story of the
play. Give your reactions to the play and
try to support these with your knowledge
about theatre.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• The best critics are balanced. No good
comes of tearing the play to shreds. The
ideal reviewer will address both the
strengths and weaknesses of a
production.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• Be constructive. It isn’t your job to insult
the works of others. The best critics
suggest ways a production or a
performance could be improved without
being nasty about it
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• Discuss who you think the performance is
geared toward (older or younger
audiences, adventurous or old-fashioned
types, etc.).
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
•Try to cover as many areas of the
production as possible.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• Don’t just discuss the actors. Keep in mind
as many areas of the production as
possible.
What are the qualities of a good
critic?
• Don’t just discuss the actors. Keep in mind
that this is a collaborative art. What do you
think of the set, lights, costumes, sound,
makeup, music, etc.?