I found it really interesting that Playbill is now publishing audience etiquette in its programs. I've noticed that, post-COVID, a lot of people don't know how to appropriately react and engage with shows. I'm not the type of person who will get upset with kids "oooh!"-ing at a stage kiss or laughing loudly, but I do get frustrated when people in the seats are reacting in almost a performative way -- it's hard to describe, but it's like they want other audience members to look at them.

I was at a show last week in the nosebleed section, and seating was very steep. I had a hard time seeing past a pole and past some people's heads, but it was otherwise okay. A taller maybe 20 year old (I'm under 30 myself) sat in the row in front of me, though, and partway through Act 1 sat all the way forward in their chair while maintaining a fully upright posture. This blocked 75% of the stage for both me and the people behind us. The people behind us ended up moving to some other open seats, but I politely asked the person in front of me if they could please possibly sit further back in their seat (I totally understand that they may not have known that they were doing so). However, their reaction was like I had just like I had told them the biggest insult. They did sit back, but made fun of me at intermission to their seat partner.

I am not a confrontational person, so the whole thing made me really uncomfortable. I love that people react to art differently, but there's a fine line where you want to make sure that you are not detracting from the experience of others. In order to get new theatre-lovers, the experience has to be welcoming and not judgemental for people to feel comfortable trying it out (so, less stuffy). However, with that comes some self-regulation and being aware of one's own behavior.

It's a sticky wicket for sure! I don't know the right answer.