I work at the theater on my campus and have for the past three and a half years. It’s been a really great opportunity-- I have great co-workers and I’ve learned how to better work on a team. I’ve gotten to see interesting shows that I might not otherwise have bought tickets to go and see. I have worked so many graduations for people I don’t even know (if your school is on a budget, I’ll come and sing Pomp and Circumstance for you). I have met Jeremy Messersmith, seen the Nutcracker (or at least heard the music) every December, worked with the ladies at Urban Growler Brewery when they came to show off their beer at concessions, had some really interesting conversations with patrons who are curious about some part of the theater… I always come home with good stories from the shift I worked that night. Despite these really great things about my job, sometimes things don’t always go as planned. In order to have the smoothest theater-going experience possible, here are some things that you as a patron at any theater can do:
- Leave The Balloons At Home. It’s the season of high school and college graduations. Sometimes these graduations take place in theaters like ours. When you walk in or door, there is a two story space from the floor to the ceiling. Here is the first problem: When you accidentally release your balloons, they will get caught on the ceiling and there is no easy way to get them down. You will not get your balloons back in one piece. Not to mention that if you do manage to get them into the theater, other patrons have trouble seeing around your balloons. Usually when balloons start to become a problem, it's during a graduation. Everyone wants to see their person walk across the stage to receive their degree/diploma because graduating, whether it's from high school or college, is a really big deal. So the choice is yours: leave your balloons in your car or leave them at home.
- I Know That There’s No Elevator. Our theater was built in the 70's when things such as ramps and elevators for easy access were, unfortunately, not a top priority. Maybe not even a thought in the minds of the architects and designers. We have been working to change part of the theater to make seats more accessible-- we've added ramps for easy access. Things are improving. I know that there is no elevator-- I wish there was, and maybe there will be someday, budget allowing. Until then, let me help you find a seat that you can easily get to. I’m here to help you and work to make your theater experience a good one-- please let me.
- Think About Your Snacks. I once worked a show about Harry Potter-- it was a comedy. I was so excited that I was able to go in the theater and watch it during my shift. Suddenly, I smelled burgers and french fries somewhere behind me. It was really distracting. Not to mention the sound of the rustling paper around the burger was loud. We sell cookies, coffee, tea, sodas… those things you can bring inside the theater. Their smells and sounds aren’t super distracting to other patrons. Going to a theater, even if you don’t pay a lot for your ticket, is a special occasion-- make a night of it! Go eat dinner first and then come have a nice time watching the show. Your bellies will be full and the other patrons will thank you for it.
- Put Your Phones And/Or Cameras Away. Even though the inside of a theater is a big place and you’re trying your best (usually) to keep your phone dimmed and non-distracting… we can see it. The people around you can see it. I can tell when you’re filming and when you’re taking pictures. Sometimes, for the safety of the performers and also to avoid copyright infringement, video and photography is not allowed. Respect your fellow theater-goers, respect the performer you came to see, and respect yourself-- unplug for the 2-3 hours you’ll be with us tonight. Fully enjoy the experience while you’re still physically in the theater. Some shows allow you to take pictures though, so if you're at one of those shows (a graduation, for example) take as many pictures as you'd like! But please consider turning off the flash on your camera or phone.
- Do Not Storm The Stage And The Green Room. I know it’s really exciting to see someone you know perform on stage, whether it’s acting, singing, dancing, speaking, or all of the above. But please, for the safety of the performer, for your own safety, and for the sake of the show, stay off the stage-- your pictures can wait. Same with trying to get backstage to see your child after the show. My theater hosts a number of dance companies, especially around Chinese New Year and during our Women of Substance festival. The dances are amazing and beautiful and if there are kids dancing in the company for the first or second time in their lives, it's ridiculously adorable. That being said, unless your child is very young and needs help packing their things after their performance, please don't go backstage or in the Green Room area. Backstage is a very busy place where everyone runs around like chickens with their heads cut off-- it's hard even for the ushers to get back there to perform other parts of our job during the show. Adding another person, usher or non-performer alike, makes things a lot more chaotic.