frontrowcentre2, Let me just take a moment to explain my comment. What I am saying is is that I feel by any Broadway performer blowing up and yelling at someone in the audience is an act of unprofessionalism. I have done many shows in different styles of theatre from black box, to a huge college auditorium. Hell, I was even with a theatre program that rented out the space that Second Stage uses for their uptown theatre and have done three shows there. And, I can't tell you how many times in each setting there was someone chewing on a bag of chips or taking pictures or something that is clearly distracting. Now, keep in mind, I am not a professional actor. Nor am I going to be. Acting is something that is and will always be a hobby of mine.
Every time I have performed I can't count the number of times that there were things going on that distracted the hell out of me. But, of course I wouldn't yell at someone from the stage mid performance and ruin the show for the rest of the people who have no clue what is going on.
And, I am of the mindset that just because an usher isn't doing their job doesn't mean that the person on stage should stop doing theirs. I don't know who had said it but it was said by someone who is an usher who posts on here awhile back. That the job of an usher is hard due to the fact that they have to stop a situation without making it noticeable to everyone else around them.
But, with all that being said, I am not one to stop performing for any reason. The only distraction that I can think of that will have me step out of character is if the damn theatre is on fire. Other then that, It is my job as an actor, paid or not, to perform the role in the show that I am in. I understand that there are going to be distractions.
The reason why I called them immature is because there are two options that any performer has in that situation. They can either take the high road and understand that while there is someone doing something that is distracting, they are not going to focus on it and continue with the show as if nothing is going on. Or the other option is to yell and scream. I think I made it clear what path I would take. No matter if the audience is paying or not, I do believe that they are taking time out of their night or their afternoon and spending it in the theatre. Something that no one is forcing them to do at all. And, I feel that as an actor I owe it to them to go on and give them 110 per cent each and every time no matter what the situation may be.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
