Tourette's And Being A Respectful Audience Member

[Fredrich Yeager]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 1:28am

I have Tourette's Syndrome and I have tickets to go see Hadestown this weekend, and I'm wondering how I can be most respectful as an audience member with my condition. Most of my tics are physical and involve things like stretching my legs, shaking my head and moving my shoulders, and my most predominant vocal one is clearing my throat, so I'm not worried about talking during the show (very few people with Tourette's actually yell profanities, contrary to how pop culture presents it). I've gone to see a few shows in the past (Tootsie, Gary and Act One) but never as popular and as packed as Hadestown, and when I've seen other shows there have been at least a few buffer seats around me. I'm wondering what I should do to not be annoying and seem rude to the people around me. Should I explain my condition to them, or will that just annoy them more and they'll make a fuss and try to have me thrown out or change seats? Should I just not say anything and hope they aren't bothered by it? What would you find most courteous if you were seated next to a person with Tourette's at a show?

[LetTheSunshineIn2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 3:25am

I’d appreciate the quiet explanation prior to the show. I’m much less likely to be annoyed (which is really what impedes my enjoyment) if I understand that it is something beyond your control. Enjoy Hadestown! It’s great!

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 4:12am

I would appreciate an explanation but you certainly don't need to give one. Enjoy the show. 

[magictodo123]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:33am

If you’re that worried, I would tell people in your immediate vicinity.

Oh god. I was at a screening of Newsies and this person kept singing along. I got really annoyed, asked them to stop and then found out they had Tourette’s. I felt AWFUL. So you know what? Unless it gets to a point where someone asks you to stop doing something, I’d say just go and enjoy!!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:42am

I do agree that just letting people near you know is the best thing to do. Once they know, not only can YOU rest easier knowing that people won’t be wondering “what’s wrong” but they’re much less likely to be aware or care.
And most importantly and I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH - Enjoy the show.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:48am

Letting the neighbors on either side of you and behind you know will likely alleviate any issues. You dont have to go into a lot of details. Inform, dont apologize.

You have every right to be there, please enjoy the show, its lovely.

[diem86]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 5:57am

I also have Tourette's, and I'll be in NYC this weekend to see a few shows (hoping to get in to Hadestown via the lottery!). My advice would be to tell the people right next to you, if it'll ease your ability to enjoy the show and not worry about bothering others.  But in all honesty, I rarely bring it up myself.  Unfortunately there are all sorts of actually avoidable distractions in theaters these days, so our condition that we have no control over is nobody's business, and we shouldn't have to miss out on something as enjoyable as Broadway just out of fear of bothering somebody. Obviously I try my best to control things and keep still and be a good audience member, but I always remember we have just as much a right to be there as everyone else.  

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:22am

Fredrich Yeager said: "I have Tourette's Syndrome...Most of my tics are physical and involve things like stretching my legs, shaking my head and moving my shoulders, and my most predominant vocal one is clearing my throat..."

 

This may explain what was going on went I went to go see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two a couple of weekends ago.

Several rows behind me a gentleman was doing this - clearing his throat - but it happened about every minute for most the entire show, and for both parts of the show. So, for like 5-1/2hrs this was happening. It was fairly loud, and I imagine the sound projected across half the balcony, especially in those moments when it was very quiet. 

I’m not sure what it would have been like to sit next to, or just in front of, this gentlemen, but for me even five or more rows ahead of him it was indeed quite distracting. It was loud enough, and repetitive enough, that I’d even miss dialogue on-stage and get sidetracked from what was going on. 

Not sure how I’d have handled it if I was sitting next to him. This won’t be a popular opinion: most likely I would have asked to see if I could be moved so that it wouldn’t take away from my enjoyment of the show. Or just leave all together. It may be why I wasn’t going to come back after Part One. I just wasn’t into the show like I wanted to be because, other than the audience members around me who were all very quite, this really did take away from my experience. 

It’s a very difficult situation - as it was mentioned above, everyone has the right to enjoy theatre - but what do you do to not offend those afflicted with, or that have, uncontrollable syndromes. 

 

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 7:52am

I have Tourette's as well. However, based upon what I read from the OP's post, mine is far minor in comparison. In fact, when I do tic, many folks think I am sneezing.

Now, in addition to that, I have worked with kids with autism for years. Another population that some don't like to see at the theatre because they can be disruptive. Now, while I am fully in support of the TDF's autism friendly performances, those with Tourette's or other cognitive issues that can't be controlled should not be relegated to just those performances. And, these are people who have to go through life who were dealt a bad hand. I know that we talk about issues we face with things such as cell phone use in the theatre. But, when talking about another human, I think that compassion and understanding is not hard to do. Put yourself in their shoes. They don't want whatever it is they are dealing with and it's not like it's they have any say on the matter. 

 

This reminds me of a facebook post I read a few years back, when LCT was doing The King and I. During the whipping scene, a boy with autism, who, up until then had been quite and causing no disturbances started to vocally act out, gripping on the hand railing to not leave etc. Now, there were a lot of posts on Facebook etc about how, someone like that, should not have been in the theatre in the first place. However, one of the actors on stage in that scene wrote on social media that he was beyond happy to see him there and felt bad for him that he had to deal with that. Thereby going his fans the opposite response they thought that they were goin to get. Show some compassion and understanding, Yes, money was spent to enter a venue, open to any and all ticket holders. Deal with it. 

[MyLife]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:44am

I was at a movie once and upon sitting down my seat neighbor told me he had Tourette's and explained what would happen during the movie. I definitely appreciated it, less from an annoyance perspective and more from a just knowing what to expect. I suspect had I not known I would have jumped (his tics were more auditory).

If you're still really concerned after reading these responses you could also try informing the House Manager. I know Hadestown is popular and will be sold out but if you're concerned you may bother people in your vicinity the House Manager may be able to seat you somewhere where you may be more isolated.

[Brooks0214]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 8:46am

As other people said maybe let the other audience members around you know? Whatever makes you feel safest and less stressed I advise you do that. I hope you have a good time and people are kind back to you! Enjoy the show

[uncageg]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:02am

If you think it may distract people around you in any way I would also suggest telling them also maybe if you are not in an aisle seat since you mentioned stretching your legs.

I do not have Tourette's but it seems that once I get settled in a theater I all of a sudden have to clear my throat a lot. I just kind of time it when things are louder onstage.

I have sat next to and near people with Tourette's before and after realizing it, it has not bothered me in the least. I feel that you really shouldn't have to say anything but in the world we live in...

Enjoy the show!

[astorian_ofthe_heart]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:12am

MyLife said: "If you're still really concerned after reading these responses you could also try informing the House Manager. I know Hadestown is popular and will be sold out but if you're concerned you may bother people in your vicinity the House Manager may be able to seat you somewhere where you may be more isolated."

This would be my suggestion, as well! I was ushering at a sold-out performance once, and a patron asked to speak to the house manager because there were two people in the party who were autistic. There was no issue, and they were able to be seated elsewhere. It will definitely vary from theater to theater, but I really think you can feel comfortable at least asking the house manager if there is another place you can sit. If the tickets you paid for are full view/premium, be sure to make sure they seat you in a place that is still full view.

But most importantly, as many have said, ENJOY THE SHOW. You have every right to be there. 

 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:18am

Islander_fan said: "This reminds me of a facebook post I read a few years back, when LCT was doing The King and I. During the whipping scene, a boy with autism, who, up until then had been quite and causing no disturbances started to vocally act out, gripping on the hand railing to not leave etc. Now, there were a lot of posts on Facebook etc about how, someone like that, should not have been in the theatre in the first place. However, one of the actors on stage in that scene wrote on social media that he was beyond happy to see him there and felt bad for him that he had to deal with that. Thereby going his fans the opposite response they thought that they were goin to get. Show some compassion and understanding, Yes, money was spent to enter a venue, open to any and all ticket holders. Deal with it."

I was also reminded of this when reading the original post. The actor in this situation is Kelvin Moon Loh, currently in Beetlejuice.

As others said, if it’ll give you peace of mind, casually mention it to those immediately around you and that’s all that needs to be done. Otherwise, enjoy the hell out of the show (pun intended)! It’s exceptional. And like Kelvin, I bet the company of Hadestown would be very welcoming of you.

[cbj97]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:38am

I think it's probably a good idea to give people a heads up before the show, although I could also completely understand if you're not comfortable doing that. I have worked a lot with kids with autism and other special needs, and even if they did something inappropriate/harmful towards a stranger, people are generally pretty understanding when I explain the situation to them. I've of course had a few people who are jerks about it, but I think it's often better to say something preemptively rather than after the situation has happened. 

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:54am

Yeah! I'd say just give a quick explanation, OP. I once sat next to a guy at Mormon who I'm pretty sure had Tourette's but all his tics were minor and physical. We were in the front row so there was no seat ahead of us for him to end up accidentally kicking or tapping, and it's a loud/raucous enough show at times where I think he let out any vocal ones during applause. I didn't really need an explanation but for you, it probably wouldn't hurt. Have a good time!

[morosco]

Posted: 7/31/19 at 9:55am

How about creating a friendly slip of paper with a note briefly explaining your condition that you can pass along to your neighbors as you say hello? The note should be a brief explanation and not an apology.