September 24th, 2025

Going to the theatre and seeing shows is a long-standing tradition for patrons across the country. While some long-time patrons understand proper theatre etiquette, others are new to the theatre world and may not understand there are rules for both patron experience and actor safety.

At Weathervane, our space is unique, and our theatre etiquette may be a little different than at other theatres. In this blog, we’ll dive into the do’s and don’ts that are generally expected at theaters along with some specific ones for our space.

Arrive on Time

While this seems pretty straight forward, arriving late is one of the most common theatre etiquette practices that are broken. Unlike at concerts, plays and musicals have a strict start time. Things happen – your car breaks down, you’re stuck in traffic, or there’s an accident on your way to the show. If this happens, don’t panic, but also don’t lollygag. We want you to see the show as much as you want to see the show!

If you arrive late, please come directly into the theatre and find an usher or staff member to help you find your seat. At Weathervane, we utilize every entrance we can – including through the lobby and the aisles. If you enter the theatre on your own, you may risk running into an actor and getting injured. An usher or staff member know the appropriate times to seat patrons and can get you there safely.

Please note that if you do arrive late, you will likely be seated in a spot that causes the least amount of interruptions to the other patrons and the actors. You may move to your normal seat at intermission; if you aren’t sure where your seat is, please ask a staff member!

Silence Cell Phones and No Photography or Videography

Before the show, you’re encouraged to silence or turn off your cell phone and other electronic devices. This step helps avoid interruptions during the performance. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than an iPhone ringing during a character’s big moment! But not just the noise can be a distraction, but a glowing screen too – and this includes Apple Watches and FitBits!

Phones can also be a distraction as you may be tempted to take pictures or videos of your favorite moments. This is a big don’t! The majority of productions are not owned by the theatre performing the show, which means they are granted permission from a licensing company to use the script and music. The licensing companies are the ones who set the rules – and nine times out of ten licensing companies state that no photography or videography is allowed. If a theatre or patron is caught, the theatre can receive a hefty fine.

Our preference? Turn your phone off to ensure it doesn’t accidentally ring and you aren’t tempted to record or take pictures. Simply live in the moment and enjoy the show!

Don’t Sing Along or Talk

Unless there is an audience participation component or it’s specifically a sing-along version of the show, please stay quiet in the audience. We love that you are enjoying the show but singing or talking can be a distraction to the patrons around you. Traditional theatre isn’t like a concert, and while we do offer concerts at Weathervane, there is an expectation of staying quiet during the performance, unless you are reacting to what’s happening on stage or applauding.

If you do want to interact with a show, we encourage you to attend our annual Melodrama! This over-the-top show gives you the opportunity to cheer for the heroes, boo the villains, and throw fake tomatoes at the actors and targets on stage.

Enjoy Your Snacks…Quietly

Many theatres offer beverages and snacks at their concession stand. Some theatres allow you to take your goodies inside while others let you enjoy them during pre-show and at intermission in the lobby. If a theatre does allow you to take in your snacks, make sure to open the packages before the show so you aren’t interrupting the performance.

Another note – please don’t bring in outside food or beverages unless permitted! At Weathervane, we sell a variety of beverages and snacks to appease a wide variety of patrons. For our concerts, we try to bring in food trucks, that way you can enjoy dinner before the show. While we do allow food sold on site to be taken into the theatre, please don’t bring in outside food from other restaurants.

Pet Peeves from Patrons

While some of the following items aren’t necessarily theatre etiquette, they may affect a patron’s experience sitting next to you! Keep these items in mind next time you come to a show:

• Don’t block a patron’s view! This could be because you are wearing a tall hat or you’re leaning into your significant other. Whether intentional or not, be aware of how you’re sitting and if it may affect the patrons behind you.
• Leave your shoes on. We’ll leave this one to your imagination, but it can also be a safety concern if someone needs to walk through the aisle way.
• Stay home if you’re sick. This goes for anywhere, truly. If you are considering staying home due to an illness, please do so! If you still want to attend a performance, be considerate of the other audience members. Make sure to take medicine, bring cough drops, and wear a mask. If possible, sit away from others as well to avoid spreading germs.
• Bonus: Weathervane specific pet peeve – if you are running late, need to use the restroom during the show, or simply need to step outside, please do not let the door slam behind you! Our once outdoor theatre was enclosed, but not entirely, so the door slams can be heard from the audience. While the staff tries to watch the doors and catch them before they slam, it’s not always possible. Simply be aware of the noise you are making even if it’s unintentional.

Respect Your Neighbors, Enjoy the Show!

There is a lot more that goes into theatre etiquette, but these items are some of the common issues that we see in the industry and at Weathervane. If you ever have questions about what you should or shouldn’t do, our staff is always happy to help answer questions and clarify. We hope to see you utilizing these tips at the next show!