To Gesture to the Booth or Not To?

It's the last dress rehearsal, and you're finally staging the curtain call. Whether you're a high schooler, college student, community theatre participant, or perhaps even a seasoned pro, you're wondering: Will the actors gesture to the booth to acknowledge the grueling and underappreciated work the stage managers and technicians have done?

Audience members experience the moment of the booth gesture in a variety of ways. If they've done theatre themselves, they are likely eager to demonstrate their regard for these theatre makers' hard work. If it's their first time at the theatre, they may not understand why one or more actors would extend one hand up toward the heavens, head cocked to the side with a knowing smile, and then begin clapping themselves.

There are the high-school drama teachers who abhor the notion that the tireless techies wouldn't get a moment to be clapped for and perhaps bask in an onstage recognition. There are the college directors who ignore the opportunity or reluctantly stage the moment with the caveat that "just so you know, in professional theatre we don't do this." I've been in the audience for community theatre productions that end on the cringeworthy (and clearly unrehearsed) note of the lead actor stepping forward to announce the hard work of the crew, who then begrudgingly take an awkward bow after a good deal of badgering (which I chalk up to the good nature of a hometown actor who truly wants to do the right thing by their teammates). It's typical in a musical, opera, or ballet for the company to gesture to the orchestra conductor, who then pops up to take a bow; does this make sense because we've seen the top of that person's head all night and we understand who they are when they appear? And does that concept really translate to stagehands?

As I have thought about the best way to handle this directorial task depending on the venue, the community, and the specific people involved, I've realized: Each production is different, each crew is different, and what would happen if the director asked each stage manager they work with on each production whether they want the gesture or not?

I turned to my social media network so that friends and colleagues of mine could weigh in, and as I predicted, they offered a variety of professional opinions.

An old BFA buddy who pursued a concentration in Sound Design while I acted, directed, assistant directed and choreographed my way through Boston University, summed up the evolution of her attitude: "In High School I wanted all the acknowledgment. By college I wanted anonymity. As a professional I wish to be completely ignored, thank you." Another classmate from my BFA days echoed what I've heard from many stage managers: "I always appreciated the sentiment behind the gesture but also wanted to die a little when people turned to look." Another friend went so far as to say that "I appreciate the thought. But who I am, as a person, hates that kind of attention. I’m hiding away in a dark corner because I don’t want the applause from the audience. It’s almost as bad as watching everyone sing me 'happy birthday'."

Designers and technicians who responded to my informal poll brought up the point that people who work behind the scenes aren't just in the booth; they're in the wings, in the dressing rooms, the box office, the audience, or out of town on their next contract. If actors gesture to the booth, must they also gesture to the followspot? Do the people who've been working stage right and stage left come out and bow? If so, when?

Based on these questions and answers, I've created a set of suggestions that I hope will help directors of theatre in all settings make this tricky decision and execute it in a way that wraps up a beautiful evening (or afternoon or Heaven-help-you morning) of theatre with the esteem it deserves:

Step One: Ask the stage manager if they would like a gesture to the booth. Allow the stage manager to poll their crew and speak on their behalf. If the stage manager turns it down, honor their desires. Go a step further in your quest to treat them the way they want to be treated by asking if there is any other way they would like to be recognized. Make it clear to your actors that for this particular production, the stage manager does not want a gesture to the booth, so they understand why the curtain call doesn't include it.

Step Two: If the stage manager wants a gesture to the booth (and the wings and other locations), set the moment with your lead actor like it's blocking or choreography. Having one actor point specifically to locations and allowing a moment for the lights to flash, the stagehands to peek out, or some way for the audience to know why they're clapping has a far more powerful impact than having an entire cast sloppily raise a hand.

Consider alternatives: If the production includes use of a projector, would the designers and technicians prefer to have their photo shown to the audience during curtain call? This is one that you'd want to figure out early in the design process so that your projection designer has adequate time to prepare. If they don't want their picture taken, can you project their names? If you aren't using a projector, can you create a nice sign to display in the lobby after the show, perhaps signed by members of the cast? What about encouraging your cast to give shoutouts on social media?

Performers, designers, and technicians are united by a love of theatre, but we all express that love differently and contribute to this art form in ways that ring true to us individually. As directors, we can keep the drama where it belongs, on stage, by identifying appropriate opportunities to publicly or privately thank everyone for their unique and valuable contributions.