In honor of Black History Month, many theaters will spotlight black educational and entertainment programing.  From local schools to New York’s Broadway, performances in theaters will range from a child reading an excerpt from Martin Luther King to a spectacular performance by the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.

It is important that you adhere to theater etiquette, not only out of respect for other audience members, but also for the performers and all involved in the production.  Be mindful that in “live theater,” the actors can hear and see you and they react to the responses from the audience.

Dress Code

Dress according to the “dress protocol” of the theater.  Opening night performances at Broadway shows are dressy affairs.  Men, this is your opportunity to sport that tuxedo and a formal gown for the ladies would be perfect.  Continue to dress up (suits, cocktail dresses) for evening performances on weekends, however mid-week shows are less formal and matinee attire can be casual.   Be considerate when using cologne and perfume.  Other theater goers may be allergic to certain scents.

Before, During and After the Show

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the show begins.  This allows you plenty of time to “take-in” the ambiance of the theater, locate your seat, read the playbill, and possibly meet new people.  I also recommend using the restroom before the performance begins because lines tend to be extremely long during intermissions.  The protocol of most auditoriums is not to allow late arrivers to enter until there is a break in the performance. When couples are escorted to their seats by an usher, the procession is usher, female, and then male.  If no usher is present, the male goes first and his date follows.

Please follow the rules of the theater regarding food, drink and photography.  Most importantly, remember to turn off your cell phone or place it on vibrate as soon as you sit down.

Respond appropriately and respectfully during a show.  It is okay to laugh or applaud when you are enjoying yourself, however do not whistle or scream out a performer’s name.  It can be very distracting and cause a mishap on stage.  Parents, friends and relatives should refrain from shouting from the audience during a performance.  Wait until the end, and then applaud enthusiastically.

To keep from being a distraction to other viewers as well as the actors, remain in your seat during the entertainment.  Most theatrical productions and musicals allow one 15-20 minute intermission; you may have two intermissions during an opera. Don’t rush to leave immediately after the show.  Stay for the curtain call to show appreciation to the performers.

Bringing Children to the Theater

Before bringing a child to live theater, share some information about the story line of the play, and discuss theater manners. Tell children that while they are enjoying the performance, they should sit quietly, keep their feet down and do not disturb others.  Since food is not usually allowed, eat beforehand and remember to stop at the restroom before going to your seats.

Following these guidelines will enhance your theater experience and make it a performance to remember.

Tina Hayes is an ASP Graduate and she writes the Etiquette Column for Cuisine Noir Magazine.

Please check out her great advice at: http://www.cuisinenoirmag.com/etiquette

We love to see our Graduates succeed!

Way to Go!

To learn more about what Debbie is doing please check out this article:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/12/coach-adds-etiquette-to-workers-skills/

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow! According to folklore it looks like we are going to have six more weeks of winter!

Some states have already had a harsh winter, but Georgians have had it easy this year!

This is great news for ASP and our upcoming weeklong Children’s Etiquette Certification on February 19-23!

Today is sunny and an amazing 70 degrees! We love this type of “Winter” weather!

We hope this beautiful weather continues to last when our trainees visit Atlanta!

The Zero Waste Home’s motto is Refuse, Refuse, Refuse. Then Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (and only in that order).  The story of this family is truly inspiring. I am now more conscience of the amount of trash I am disposing of and where it is all going. We all know that we need to treat the Earth better and stop creating so much waste. However, in our consumer consume driven world buying new and throwing out the old seems impossible, but it’s not.

Please visit the The Zero Waste Home  website and check out their great tips on how you can lower the amout of waste you create.

Today 70% of our nation is regarded as overweight. Everywhere you look you can find health tips, diet plans, new exercises and much more, but that doesn’t mean we are becoming any healthier.  Since most people are just looking to find small things they can change in their everyday life that will improve their health the drastic change of most diets and exercise plans can be overwhelming. By taking a step back and looking at a small list such as Dr. Calvers “Ten Commandments of Health” becoming healthier seems more realistic.

If you don’t already practice these guidelines we encourage you to do so.  By living a healthy life, our journey down the path of life will keep us focused on important things like relationships, family, workplace and friends.

Whether you are dining with your boss, friends or spouses family, there are certain boundaries in conversation that should not be crossed. Having an intriguing conversation usually makes the meal even more enjoyable, however pairing the best food in the world with inappropriate dinner chatter can end up leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth.

By the end of January, the cliché goals that are typically made to welcome a New Year become overwhelming to think about.  By creating more realistic and obtainable goals, we are likely to see results.

Setting a goal doesn’t have to be a large commitment, it can be something small.

The following ideas for your consideration are:

1. Gratitude

Instead of focusing on what you do not have, be thankful for what you do have. You can never say thank-you enough.

2. Passion

 Find what you are passionate about, and pursue it. Explore your dreams.

3. Spirit

Take a look at who you are and what you project to others.

4. Learn Something New

It is never too late.

5. Be Open-Minded

Listen to others.

We encourage you to always strive to be thoughtful of others, pursue your dreams with passion and appreciate the many blessings that we receive each day.

We are anxiously anticipating our training dates for 2012 and are thankful that we are able to provide Etiquette Training to those who want to enhance the lives of those in their community and build their career.

Congratulations to all of our graduates and may 2012 be a successful year for all!