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Janice  ORourke's avatar

Also applicable to live music going .. come and give back the energy performers are sending out. We are deeply connected in live experiences. Lean into the reciprocity of the artful exchange!

Kate Cohen's avatar

Yes! And probably people are more familiar with this kind of relationship in a music setting. (Maybe it's not such a surprise that music is a big part of the entertainment at the Globe & the Blackfriars — then and now.)

Steveyo's avatar

Love this advice. Always love the outdoor plays at PS21 in Chatham NY, "The Mount" in Lenox, MA, and, of course concerts at SPAC and Tanglewood.

Kate Cohen's avatar

Thank you for the recs!

Marni Penning's avatar

As someone who has performed hundreds of times under Ralph's direction, I highly agree with everything in this post! 😁

Jill's avatar

I could've used this advice earlier in my life. I was raised (indoctrinated?) to attend to performances politely and quietly. So imagine my surprise when I attended an August Wilson play in Atlanta in the 1980s, in which the audience was majority Black. So much vocal reaction to what was happening on stage! Not words so much as crowd murmurs of approval or rebuke to the characters' actions. In the moment, I sat in confusion; since then, I've pondered this cultural difference. Your post helps!

Kate Cohen's avatar

This is a great point — there's a huge cultural factor. True in religious services too, I believe.