Courses
Theatre Etiquette 101
by Kerry Hishon
Instructor Kerry Hishon is an actor, director, writer, and stage combatant with years of experience in youth theatre. Her course, Theatre Etiquette 101, is designed to help students be successful in their theatrical journeys.
When teaching students who are brand new to theatre, it’s important to discuss and apply the expectations of the drama classroom and the theatrical world.
This course starts by explaining "what is theatre etiquette", and then moves through every step in the production process from audition to post-show recovery.
Every module has tips for both you and your students, classroom exercises, rehearsal exercises, and reflections. There are also printable posters included to use in your classroom or backstage.
Units
Theatre Etiquette
by Kerry Hishon
When teaching students who are brand new to theatre, it’s important to discuss and apply the expectations of the drama classroom and the theatrical world. How do you implement and instill theatre etiquette in your classroom and your rehearsals – before a show and backstage? A cohesive theatrical community starts with the rules and codes of behaviour both onstage and off.
Topics covered within the unit include: What is Etiquette, Real World vs Theatre World Etiquette, Audience Etiquette, Audition Etiquette, Pre-Show and Performance Etiquette. The unit ends with a culminating activity which included a rubric and reflection.
Lesson Plans
What is Theatre Etiquette
by Kerry Hishon
In this lesson, students will define etiquette, refine the definition for the theatre classroom, and work on a Creativity Contract that has goals and procedures. What do students want out of the class? What are the steps they need to take to achieve those goals? What procedures are needed to make the theatre classroom a safe place where they can achieve those goals?
Real World vs. Theatre World
by Kerry Hishon
Students will learn about creating a safe and professional space in the classroom and in the theatre, and how these principles can be applied to the real world. What are the best practices for etiquette in the classroom, which can also be used in rehearsal, and which can also be used in the real world.
Audience Etiquette
by Kerry Hishon
Theatre does not happen without an audience. It’s important for students to be aware of and apply audience etiquette. In this lesson, students will explore the different ways an audience behaves depending on the event, what is bad audience behaviour, establish the rules, practice critical thinking as an audience member, and complete an exit slip to demonstrate comprehension.
Audition Etiquette
by Kerry Hishon
Students will explore the elements of the audition process, discuss the necessary guidelines of audition etiquette, and practice applying those guidelines.
Pre-Show Performance Etiquette
by Kerry Hishon
Students receive the Pre-Show Etiquette Tips and Performance Etiquette Tips (handouts).They will brainstorm and develop a warm-up exercise designed to encourage pre-show etiquette, and design series of posters (either fully done or described with sketches) to encourage and highlight performance etiquette.
Resources
Poster: Audition Etiquette
A printable poster for the drama classroom or backstage.
Poster: What's Your Call Time
A printable poster for the drama classroom or backstage.
Poster: Respect This Space
A printable poster for the drama classroom, scene shop, or backstage.
Poster: Respect the Crew
A printable poster for the drama classroom, scene shop, or backstage.
Poster: Respect the Cast
A printable poster for the drama classroom or backstage.
Poster: Props are Not Toys
A printable poster for backstage or scene shop.
Poster: Precheck
A printable poster to remind students to do a pre-check.
Poster: Have Fun and Tell the Story
A printable poster for backstage reminders.
Poster: Did you Hang up your Costume?
A backstage/scene shop reminder for student actors - printable poster.
Poster: Did you Warm up?
A backstage reminder for student actors - printable poster.