There’s nothing quite like the shared energy of a live performance. Unfortunately, one of the biggest disruptions in modern live performance is phone use during the show. One recent example took place on Broadway during a performance of Hand to God, where an audience member tried to use a fake outlet onstage to charge his phone. Discouraging theatre patrons from phone use during live theatre isn’t about being strict or outdated. With neary 98% of American adults owning a smartphone, it’s important to protect the experience in the theatre.
The Distraction Factor
When a phone lights up in a dark theatre, it immediately draws attention. Even a glance at your phone can pull nearby audience members out of an emotional moment. Actors on stage can also see those glowing screens. From the performers’ perspective, it signals disengagement and can break concentration during pivotal scenes.
The Copyright and Legal Risk
Phone use can lead to serious legal issues. Theatre productions sign contracts with theatre licensing companies that include copyright agreements. Recording video, taking photos, or livestreaming any portion of a performance is prohibited unless explicitly authorized. Even with “slime tutorials” as popular options for viewing clips of Broadway productions, local theatres can’t justify the repercussions if their productions are filmed/photographed without permission.
Unauthorized recording can:
- Violate copyright contracts
- Jeopardize a theatre’s licensing agreements
- Put future productions at risk
- Result in fines or legal action
What If the Playbill Is Digital?
As more theatres move toward digital playbills to reduce printing costs and increase accessibility, a new challenge emerges: patrons wanting to check the program during the performance. If your theatre uses a digital playbill, the best practice is to encourage guests to review it before the show begins or during intermission.
You can reinforce this by doing the following:
- Display a QR code in the lobby instead of the auditorium
- Include verbal and visual reminders, such as lobby signage and curtain speeches
- Encourage patrons to screenshot key pages before the show
- Provide a limited number of printed copies for accessibility needs
- Write a blog post explaining how your digital playbill works and link it in pre-show emails and social media
By setting expectations early, theatres can embrace digital innovation without encouraging the use of phones during live theatre.
Protecting the Integrity of Live Theatre
Theatre is built on mutual respect between performers and patrons. When audiences commit to being fully present, they contribute to the atmosphere that makes live performance powerful.
Encouraging proper theatre etiquette to reduce phone use during live theatre can include:
- Clear pre-show announcements
- Signage in lobbies and programs
- Friendly reminders from ushers
- Messaging in ticket confirmation emails
Framing the request positively often works best. Live theatre is meant to be immersive. When phones stay off and out of sight, everyone benefits — from the actors on stage to the patrons in the last row.
Leave a Reply