In this new age where technology is more portable and accessible, people seemed to have forgotten the proper etiquette when watching a theatrical play or a movie in theaters. Recently, I attended the opening night for the campus play “Down the Road,” and I was witness to the audience participating in things that grated on my last nerve.

There were people texting, having loud conversations, laughing at inappropriate moments and at one point, I swear I heard a bag of potato chips being opened. It took whatever thread of restraint I had not to stand up and make a speech of epic proportions reminiscent of Braveheart on how audiences should behave.

I used to think it was common sense that when the lights darken, obviously it was time to cease the chatter and to turn all cell phones completely off. It is a common courtesy to be quiet during a play or a movie, but now technology has helped audiences become a nuisance bigger than before.

While watching “Down the Road,” a young woman sitting in front of me and  was repeatedly texting throughout the play. I was livid with the rudeness of her act. The light on the screen of her phone was incredibly bright and distracting. I wanted to take her phone each time she turned it on and stomp on it with my foot. People go to a play to watch the actors perform, nothing more. Texting on your phone defeats the entire purpose of enjoying the show.

Not only is texting distracting to those sitting around you, but it is also distracting to the actors on stage. Oh yes, the actors can see the lit screens just as well as any person sitting next to the culprit.

It is very disrespectful and discourteous to the cast of the play and crew who have spent months performing and working together to bring a piece of art to the campus. If a person is not interested in the show, I would rather they not show up at all, and let those who want to enjoy the show do just that, enjoy it.

For me, Watching “Down the Road” was ruined because of the inconsideration of the rude audience members. I came to watch a play about two journalists discovering the inner workings of a serial killer. As a journalist myself, my interest was piqued, but I could not enjoy a single moment, because if it wasn’t texting, it was phones ringing.

It is one thing if you are a worker who is on call or if you have family members in need of your assistance, but leave the phone conversations for intermission. The rings and chimes of a phone are just as distracting as seeing the lit up screen while texting. It is unfortunate that audience members do not treat each other the way they wish to be treated.

I am not the only one out there who feels this way. There are people who came to the show because they truly enjoy the art of theatre, and are not there for some class requirement. Give the cast and crew, as well as the person next to you, the proper respect and credit that they deserve by turning the phones off.

Along with turning off the cell phones, please refrain from talking during the show. It is actually quite irksome to try to listen to the play, only to loose the actors’ lines because someone cannot resist commenting on the performance while it is going on. Really, I do not care what you think of the show, least of all while the show is going on. That is just plain rude. I would much rather hear the actors and make my own decisions for myself on whether or not the play is good. Save the comments for after the performance, please.

And really, who thought it was a great idea to bring in a bag of chips to a play? At all of our campus plays, there is a no eating or drinking policy. That means, no food or drink can be consumed in the theatre; that includes water. And I wouldn’t even try chewing on a stick of gum, because some people in the past decided they didn’t like the flavor of their gum and thought it would be okay to place their gum beneath their seats. Please do not do this. People actually have to clean up messes like this after the show.

The theatre can be an enjoyable outing, but here are some things to remember for the next play. Use the restroom before the show, or wait until intermission. In fact, make sure there is an intermission. Turn cell phones completely off, and drop the conversations as soon as the lights go dim. Oh, and it wouldn’t hurt to applaud.