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Theater is a collaborative art from the moment the director picks up the script to the moment the curtain falls. As such, it is the responsibility of the audience member to be aware of the impact his or her presence has on the finished product. Though you can typically be assured of a performer's full preparedness, it is still important to remember that they are human and, even in the midst of a well-rehearsed performance, can be distracted.

I have been an enthusiastic theatergoer for a very long time, and although the theater is no longer an event to which we wear elaborate gowns and sharp tuxedos, there is still an accepted etiquette that should be followed as closely as possible, out of respect for the actors and fellow audience members:

- Always arrive on time. This is as much out of consideration to the performers and fellow audience members as it is for your own best interest. Many theaters have strict policies regarding late seating that have to do with when there is an appropriate break early enough in the show to slip latecomers in as unobtrusively as possible. If you arrive after the show has already begun, do not be surprised if you are told that you must wait until intermission to take your seat. You can check on a theater's Late Seating Policy by calling the box office ahead of time.

- Turn your cell phones off. Don't just silence them or put them on vibrate, turn them off. A vibrating phone in your purse or pocket and you rummaging through said purse or pocket in order to acknowledge the call can be just as disruptive as ringing during a particularly quiet scene or poignant moment. Additionally, since text-messaging has become so popular, the glow of a silenced phone can be distracting to other audience members during blackouts or other lowly-lit sequences.

- Refrain from verbal criticisms or affirmations. If something strikes you has funny, please laugh as unabashedly as you please! Indeed, if something is touching, sigh, or startling, gasp. But do not turn to your neighbor to comment on what is happening on stage. Applause, of course, is always welcome in praise or support, and cheering has also become common-place with the advent of rock-operas. So cheer your heart out! Just don't talk during the show.

- Never take any photographs or video recordings of the performance. Not only is this extremely illegal, it is also disconcerting for the people on stage. If they aren't feeling particularly strong about their performance on any given night, I am

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