Audience Etiquette for School Assembly Shows: How Teachers, Parents, and Staff Can Support Visiting Performers
- sean1096
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
At The Story Ship, we perform over 250 educational school assembly shows nationwide each year, bringing interactive adventures in STEAM, literacy, science, math, social-emotional learning, and anti-bullying to thousands of students.
When schools invite outside performers, these assemblies are more than entertainment — they’re carefully crafted educational experiences. Audience behavior plays a significant role in how effectively students absorb the lessons and how smoothly a performance proceeds. That’s why we’ve created these Audience Etiquette Guidelines for teachers, parents, and staff.
Why Audience Etiquette Matters in a School Assembly Show
Supports Learning: Our shows like "Aliens Alive!" or "Super Me!" are packed with interactive curriculum content. Focus and attention make the difference between a distracted crowd and a classroom that “gets it.”
Helps Performers Deliver Their Best: Our live actors rely on precise timing, cues, and audience engagement. Noise, side conversations, or disruptions can derail key teaching moments. And make it less fun for the audience as well!
Models Respect for Students: Children learn by example. When teachers, staff, and parents are engaged, students follow their lead.
Keeps the Event Running Smoothly: Orderly seating and minimal distractions ensure safety, correct timing, and maximize enjoyment for everyone.
Audience Etiquette for Teachers, Parents, and Staff
Before the Show
Prepare students: Remind them about respectful audience behavior (quiet listening, clapping at the right times, and participating only when asked).
Seating matters: Teachers should sit with their classes to help guide behavior.
Arrange seating by age: Always seat the youngest students closest to the performers, with older students toward the back. This keeps younger children engaged, while older students can see and set an example.
Arrival: Be sure classes are seated before the show begins. Minimize late entries. The shows are a lot of fun and we don't want anyone missing it!
During the Show
Turn off your cell phones and digital devices. We love it when people take photos and videos, but even a buzzing phone or glowing screen can distract students and performers.
Stay with your class: Teachers and staff should sit with their groups, modeling the same attentive behavior expected of students.
Support performers: Encourage applause and student participation when invited, but avoid calling out or overreacting during the performance.
Limit movement: Handle restrooms and transitions before or after. Keep aisles clear.
Avoid side conversations: Even soft whispers take away from the immersive experience and signal to students that paying attention isn’t important.
Empower Student Confidence: Help students feel confident about doing a good job when they come up on stage to help the performer! Applaud when they get a question right!
Celebrate appropriately: Enthusiastic applause is welcome at the right times — Save the cheers for the end!
After the Show
Applaud together: Show appreciation for the performers’ efforts.
Reinforce lessons: Back in the classroom, discuss key takeaways. (For example, in Aliens Alive! talk about teamwork and sound science; in Super Me! reinforce anti-bullying strategies.)
Thank the performers: A kind word from staff, teachers, or administrators helps build strong partnerships with educational artists.
Quick Reference List
Perfect for programs, announcements, or a short handout on assembly day:
Please arrive on time so students are seated before the performance begins.
Turn off all cell phones and digital devices.
Teachers, sit with your classes and model attentive behavior.
Seat the youngest students closest to the performers and the older students toward the back.
Stay seated; limit movement in and out of the performance space.
Save conversations for after the performance.
Clap at the right times and encourage participation only when invited.
Stay until the end to support the performers and your school community.
About The Story Ship
For over 25 years, The Story Ship has created immersive, interactive children’s theater adventures blending animation, puppets, magic, music, puzzles, and movement. Much like today’s escape rooms, our shows invite students to solve challenges and become the heroes of the story.
We offer assemblies perfect for:
Schools (curriculum-based STEAM, literacy, SEL, anti-bullying)
Libraries & Museums (family-friendly adventures)
Festivals & Theaters (large-scale entertainment with interactive elements)
👉 Explore our shows here: www.thestoryship.com
Final Thoughts
Hosting outside performers is an incredible way to enrich your students’ education. By following these audience etiquette guidelines, teachers, parents, and staff help create a respectful and focused environment that allows performers to deliver their maximum impact.
Together, we can make every assembly a meaningful, magical, and memorable learning experience!
