Going To The Theatre Alone- Page 4

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 11:08am

RowellE: You just joined today and figured out how to resurrect a thread from 2007?

How did you do that?

[artscallion]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 11:13am

RowellE explains how he's felt in the past when attending theatre alone:
"I feel awkward when I’m there by myself and reacting to the show. The people sitting next to me will hear/see me laugh and/or cry, and knowing that I’m alone and doing that, that’s just awkward to me."

later that same post...
"I’m buying it for just myself. It’ll be the first time I see a theater show by myself."


So apparently he is not constrained by the rules of time and just naturally knows these things, PJ.

[secondstar2theright]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 11:25am

"I've generally found that if you go to a theater and buy a single on the day of the show, the box office staff goes out of their way to find you a great seat (unlike TKTS which usually gives you the last seat on the side aisle)."

^^You pay full price at the box office though, right? ...I'm curious for when I am back in New York by myself...

Updated On: 9/22/12 at 11:25 AM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 12:10pm

"I've generally found that if you go to a theater and buy a single on the day of the show, the box office staff goes out of their way to find you a great seat (unlike TKTS which usually gives you the last seat on the side aisle)."

That could be explained by the fact that TKTS does not have access to all of the same tickets that the box office does. When a show releases tickets to the booth they don't release everything in the entire house, but rather the remaining seats in specified sections.

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 12:41pm

Rowell, Dramamamma had an excellent point in asking if you judge others who are alone. I would say the exact same thing to you.

I have no problem going to shows, movies, museums, shopping, etc, alone. I actually prefer it. If you look around, you'll see a large number of people do these things alone. It doesn't have to shed a negative light on them.

Have a good time!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 1:53pm

Unless I'm with a "theater person", I prefer going alone. My friends aren't particularly theater-savvy and when I ask if they'd like to join me for a performance of, say, DETROIT, their response is "What's that? I've never heard of it". Better to go alone.

[HoldThatThought]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 2:34pm

The usher cannot guide you
Now you're on your own
No one sits beside you
Still, you're not alone
No one is alone, truly No one is alone

Sometimes people leave you
Halfway through the show
Others may deceive you
You decide to go
You decide alone
But no one is alone...

[My Oh My]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 3:30pm

I go to the theatre alone most of the time but usually attend along with one of my family members. They are the ones who got me into musical theatre and we occasionally see stuff together. I most often attend with the twin sis. Yes, I'm a twin. No, she looks nothing like me! I'm a dude. That would be scary, lol.

At any rate, I'm far more irritated by company than anything. It's bad enough dealing with a picky mofo such as myself. Catering to other people's needs is bothersome, annoying, and nothankyou.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/22/12 at 3:44pm

Wow, you guys are brave. I can’t even cross the street of a busy intersection alone without feeling that I’m being judged and looked at.

Seek help.

[RowellE]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 3:45am

@PalJoey
I Googled "going to the theater alone" and this forum/thread popped up. It was the reason why I registered, so I could add my entry to this thread.

I'm sorry if you're upset that I resurrected an old post.

@artscallion
I meant to say "I would feel awkward." I've never gone to the theater alone before.

@tazber
I was bullied and judged most of my life for being gay. I have gone through a lot and I have had therapy for a few years for attempting suicide three times. It has helped some, but some of that emotional scarring still hasn't gone away yet. So yes.. I have sought help.

Thanks to everyone else for their input. Makes me feel better. :)



Updated On: 9/23/12 at 03:45 AM

[After Eight]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 7:29am

Rowell,

Very sorry to hear what you've had to endure.

Hoping the future will be bright for you.

Hope, too, that you'll be a regular participant here, and share your thoughts about the theatre with us.

Updated On: 9/23/12 at 07:29 AM

[tazber]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 8:15am

I'm glad to hear that you did seek help. When I read your initial post I was saddened by the fact that you seem to suffer from such low self-esteem.

For the record I go to the theater alone all the time.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 8:17am

Ignore those that don't try to help, but they aren't all bearing ill will.

Sorry for your past troubles, but as a gay man, theater is the stereotypical place for you to enjoy!

And yes, please feel free to come back and discuss theatre.

[GrandAsTheCanyon]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 8:37am

I almost always go to the theater alone. I don't know anyone who loves musicals as much as I do, and I'd rather pay 130$ for a seat in front of the orchestra, than have two seats in the mezzanine for the same price. You have to be quiet during the show anyway and the show itself is exactly the same whether or not I am accompanied, so I don't see that many advantages to seeing the show with someone. If I feel like talking before the show or during the intermisssion, I can always start a conversation with the people sitting next to me.

[Luv2goToShows]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 8:53am

RowellE, when I was younger I had similar thoughts as you, worried how it would look, what others would think and so forth. I got fed up with waiting for my friends to get back to me with dates to see a show, so one day I decided to just go by myself. First of all, you are never by yourself, there are always others sitting near you, quite a few go by themselves as well, most of the time striking a conversation is never a problem. The other thing is my partner does not share the same love for the theater and only goes with me occasionally. My point is if you love theater do not let your fears and hangups stop you, get past them and enjoy the shows. If it helps, just keep in mind, people are there to see a show, not you so do not worry what others think, plus once the show starts you, as well as the audience will be absorbed in that and not looking or wondering about you. Also check for local Meetup groups, there are meetup groups for theater goers, movie goers, museum goers. Good way to go with others who share your interests and sometimes get a group rate. Good luck

[GatorNY]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 8:59am

I love going by myself. When I really love something though, I do enjoy sharing it with people who are special to me.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 9/23/12 at 9:39am

I have only seen one show (Scarlet Pimpernell) alone. I was on a business trip to NYC and unexpectedly had time to catch a show so ran to ticketbooth and got a ticket. I was fine with watching the show alone but I did miss having somebody to discuss show with after leaving the theatre.