Understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.117.212.05A primary
  understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances;
• TEKS.117.212.05B primary
  evaluate the effectiveness of selected film and television performances;

Lesson Overview

This Grade 7 theatre lesson focuses on helping students understand and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette at various types of performances and evaluate the effectiveness of selected film and television performances. Aligned with TEKS standards, students will engage in activities that develop their critical evaluation skills and their ability to respond thoughtfully to theatrical presentations.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette behaviors for different types of performances such as live theatre, film, and television.
• Explain why audience etiquette is important to performers and other audience members.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of selected film and television performances by discussing elements such as acting, expression, and engagement.

Success Criteria

• Students can list and demonstrate proper audience etiquette behaviors in various performance settings.
• Students can explain how audience behavior affects performers and the overall performance experience.
• Students can provide thoughtful evaluations of film and television performances using specific examples.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of theatre as a performance art and be familiar with different types of performances such as live theatre, film, and television. Prior experience with observing performances and basic theatrical vocabulary will support learning.

Key Vocabulary

• Audience etiquette
• Performance
• Live theatre
• Film
• Television
• Evaluate
• Expression
• Engagement

Materials and Resources

• Video clips of live theatre performances, films, and television shows
• List of audience etiquette guidelines
• Reflection journals or paper for notes
• Projector or screen for showing videos

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare video clips of various performance types to show examples of audience etiquette and performance styles.
• Create a clear list of audience etiquette behaviors tailored to different performance settings.
• Prepare questions to guide discussion and evaluation of performances.
• Arrange the classroom to facilitate group discussions and role-play activities.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Understanding Audience Etiquette

Audience etiquette refers to the behaviors and manners expected of people watching a performance. This includes actions like arriving on time, turning off electronic devices, remaining quiet during the performance, and applauding appropriately. Different types of performances may require slightly different etiquette; for example, a live theatre performance often requires more silence and attentiveness than a television show watched at home. Proper audience etiquette respects the performers' efforts and helps create a positive experience for everyone.

Why Audience Etiquette Matters

Good audience etiquette supports the performers by allowing them to focus and perform at their best without distractions. It also shows respect for the art form and the people involved in the production. Disruptive behaviors such as talking loudly, using phones, or leaving seats frequently can distract both performers and other audience members, reducing the overall enjoyment and effectiveness of the performance.

Demonstrating Audience Etiquette in Different Settings

Live Theatre: Arrive early, silence phones, remain quiet during the show, avoid eating or drinking, applaud at appropriate times. Film and Television: Watch attentively, avoid talking or making noise, respect the viewing environment, and discuss the performance afterward. Students can practice these behaviors through role-play scenarios where they act as audience members in different settings.

Evaluating Film and Television Performances

Evaluation involves observing and thinking critically about how well a performance communicates its story or message. Students should consider the actors' expressions, voice, body language, and how these elements engage the audience. They should also reflect on whether the performance feels believable and emotionally impactful. Discussing these aspects helps students develop their critical thinking and appreciation for performance arts.

Common Misconceptions About Audience Etiquette

- Some students may think that whispering or quiet talking during a performance is acceptable; however, even quiet talking can be distracting. - Others might believe that applause should happen only at the very end of a show, but in some performances, applause after scenes or songs is appropriate. - Some may assume that audience etiquette is only about silence, but positive engagement like laughter or applause at the right moments is also important.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Watch and observe audience behavior in the clips. Participate in role-play to demonstrate proper etiquette such as silence, applause, and attentiveness.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: List three behaviors that show good audience etiquette during a live theatre performance.
2. Developing: Explain why it is important to turn off your phone during a live performance.
3. Application: Describe how you would behave differently as an audience member watching a film at home versus attending a live theatre show.
4. Analysis: After watching a film, you notice the lead actor’s expressions seem flat and unconvincing. How might this affect the overall effectiveness of the performance?
5. Challenge: Imagine you are organizing a school play. What audience etiquette rules would you communicate to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience for performers and audience members?

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Arriving on time, remaining quiet during the performance, and applauding at appropriate times.
2. 2. Because phone sounds and lights can distract performers and other audience members, disrupting the performance experience.
3. 3. At home, I might be more relaxed but still avoid talking loudly or using my phone during the film. At live theatre, I would be more attentive, remain silent, and applaud at the right moments to respect the performers.
4. 4. Flat expressions can make the performance less believable and engaging, reducing the audience’s emotional connection to the story.
5. 5. I would ask the audience to arrive on time, silence phones, remain quiet during the performance, avoid eating or drinking in the theatre, and applaud at appropriate times to support the performers and maintain focus.

Guiding Questions

• What behaviors show respect to performers?
• How does audience behavior affect the performance?
• What differences exist in etiquette between live theatre and screen performances?
• How can you evaluate an actor's performance effectively?
• Why is it important to think critically about performances?

Common Misconceptions

• Whispering quietly during a performance is acceptable and does not distract others.
• Applause should only happen at the very end of the entire show, never between scenes or songs.
• Audience etiquette means being completely silent with no reactions; however, appropriate laughter and applause are part of good etiquette.

Differentiation

Assessment

• Observe students during role-play to see if they demonstrate proper audience etiquette.
• Ask students to explain why certain audience behaviors are important during class discussions.
• Have students complete a quick write on how audience etiquette affects performers.
• List two audience etiquette behaviors you will remember and explain why they are important.
• Write a short evaluation of a film or television performance you recently watched.
• Describe how you would behave as an audience member at a live theatre performance.
• Create a poster illustrating audience etiquette rules for different performance types.
• Write a review evaluating the effectiveness of a film or television performance using specific examples.
• Perform a role-play demonstrating appropriate audience etiquette and explain your choices.

Answer Guide

• List three behaviors that show good audience etiquette during a live theatre performance.
  Answer: Arriving on time, remaining quiet during the performance, and applauding at appropriate times.
• Explain why it is important to turn off your phone during a live performance.
  Answer: Because phone sounds and lights can distract performers and other audience members, disrupting the performance experience.
• Describe how you would behave differently as an audience member watching a film at home versus attending a live theatre show.
  Answer: At home, I might be more relaxed but still avoid talking loudly or using my phone during the film. At live theatre, I would be more attentive, remain silent, and applaud at the right moments to respect the performers.
• After watching a film, you notice the lead actor’s expressions seem flat and unconvincing. How might this affect the overall effectiveness of the performance?
  Answer: Flat expressions can make the performance less believable and engaging, reducing the audience’s emotional connection to the story.
• Imagine you are organizing a school play. What audience etiquette rules would you communicate to ensure a respectful and enjoyable experience for performers and audience members?
  Answer: I would ask the audience to arrive on time, silence phones, remain quiet during the performance, avoid eating or drinking in the theatre, and applaud at appropriate times to support the performers and maintain focus.

Real-Life Application

Encourage students to attend a local performance with family or friends and practice the audience etiquette skills learned in class. Afterwards, discuss their experience and observations at home.

Homework or Home Connection

• Encourage students to attend a local performance with family or friends and practice the audience etiquette skills learned in class. Afterwards, discuss their experience and observations at home.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, students learned the importance of appropriate audience etiquette across various performance types, including live theatre, film, and television. They practiced behaviors that show respect to performers and other audience members and developed skills to critically evaluate performances. Understanding and demonstrating good audience etiquette enhances the experience for everyone involved and supports the art of theatre.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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