Theater Etiquette
Arrive Early
It is suggested that spectators arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the show. This allows guests time to get parked, find their seats, and get settled before the show begins. Arriving early provides the best Georgia Performing Arts Center experience.
Late Arrivals
Those that arrive after the event begins will be seated at the discretion of GPAC staff so as to not cause an interruption to other patrons as well as the performers on stage. Usually, this is during a scene break or the applause break at the end of a song. Just alert the staff that you have arrived late and ask to be seated or wait for the applause before entering the auditorium.
Silence Your Devices
When electronics ring and vibrate it is very distracting for both the performers and audience members. The bright light emitted from the use of these devices is also a disturbance.
We appreciate and encourage you sharing your Georgia Performing Arts Center experience via social media, but we ask that you select appropriate times to do so. Pre-show, intermission, and after performances are wonderful opportunities to update and post your status. Please refrain from using your electronic devices during a performance.
Limit Entering and Exiting During Performance
We request that you use the facilities before the show, during intermission, and after the performance. Should you find yourself unable to wait for a proper break, we ask that you exit the auditorium during a scene change, applause, or black-out. We ask as well that you softly open and close auditorium doors.
Please do not allow children to enter/exit the auditorium or to roam the facility unattended during the performance. Young children often do not know how to softly open and close auditorium doors.
No Talking During the Show
A quick whisper to your neighbor, or an audible reaction to something interesting that happens on stage is fine, however, please keep conversations to the intermission and after the show. Please refrain from talking, humming, or singing along with the show, except when encouraged to do so by the artist or show.
This includes the lobby area outside of the auditorium. It is suggested that in the event you are in the lobby during a performance please be aware of noise level. This is to be courteous to the performers on stage.
Stay Until the Final Bow
Yes, the parking lot gets busy but leaving while the show is in progress or before the performers have taken their final bows is discourteous. Please wait until the show is over and then exit with the rest of the audience.
Even if your student has completed their portion of the performance, if you and your family are able to stay for the remainder of the show, it would be greatly appreciated. All students work hard to get ready and those performing last should be afforded the same respect as those performing first.
Food and Drinks
ALL food and drinks are prohibited.