All I want is for every theatre experience to date back to the 1960s when people actually dressed up for the theatre and had manners and were polite. This was also a time when theatre was seen as an upperclass luxury, as glitzy and glamorous as those TV shows portray it. Nowadays, with the current uptake in social media and hatefulness in the world, a theatre-going experience is less than glamorous. It seems that every time I go to the theatre, there's something else that annoys me deep within that hadn't previously. It's time to make a change and revert back to those times when you could actually enjoy the show you were watching without the constant nag of annoyance hitting you. Here are three things that need to change in order to do that:

1. Leave the phones at home!

Or just put them somewhere where you're not going to touch it for two and a half hours. It's not that hard. I saw at least two people with their phones out during my most recent trip to the theatre. You may not seem like you're disturbing others by discretely hiding your phone behind your bag to text someone, but you're disturbing those behind you and beside you with that bright screen. Plus, if you get caught, everyone in the row has to deal with the usher shining their flashlight towards you in order to tell you to stop, which means they then serve as a distraction for the actors onstage because your entire row is lit. Basically, it ruins everyone's experience because you with your phone out tells us that we're not actually in the actors' world and that sucks. We don't want to be reminded of reality while at the theatre, so just leave your phone alone. Oh, and don't take pictures or video during the performance. That's illegal and rude.

2. Open snacks BEFORE the performance!

I can't tell you how many emotional moments have been virtually ruined by someone opening a bag of pretzels behind me. This is as much the house's fault as it is anyone else's. There should be some invention where concession stands sell snacks in silent, more accessible containers instead of in noisy plastic. It's just not when you initially open the bag to get into the snack, it crinkles every time you reach in the bag. Bowls would help this and so would cups. Plates even. But no, all snacks are sold in noisy plastic. Trust me, when everyone is enveloped in the magic of the show, a noisy chip bag puts everyone on edge, and I mean everyone, because chip bags are that distracting in silence. If we were back in those older theatre days, snacks would only be allowed in the lobby area and not in the house. Why can't that be a rule now?

3. Be a decent human!

This sums up the above problems, but being a decent person extends beyond the actual show. As you're walking into the theatre, don't trample others to get to your seat because guess what? The show is going to start at the time designated on your ticket and getting there first doesn't mean that you won't have to avoid any crowds, because you'll have to let others to their seats. During the show, don't talk or sing along. There are others there who don't know the show or it may be their first theatre experience. Don't ruin it by singing your rendition of "Waving Through A Window". After the show, please please please don't leave during curtain call! The actors have worked very hard on the show and this is their only opportunity to see everyone who came to see it and they certainly don't want to see you rushing out the door. One last thing, if you decide to meet the actors at the stage door, let them have their space. If they're a celebrity, don't scream at them. They are just humans sharing the same love of theatre. If we're all nice and understanding of that, the theatre-going world would be a better place.