It is sometimes nerve wracking to know when to applaud during a performance. Applause at wrong moments could interrupt a performance. Despite these worries, it is rarely wrong to applaud a performance whether it be by an actor or ensemble. Applause shows appreciation. The following steps give a general outline of the best moments to give applause.
Instructions
1. Applaud at the entrance of the lead of a play if the star is well known. In classical music performances, you should applaud when the conductor comes on stage.
2. Applaud at the end of an act or musical piece is finished. For plays, it is considered polite to applaud at the end of each act. The end of the act will usually be indicated by the actors leaving the stage or the curtain being closed. For musical performances, applause is held until the entire piece is completed although there are sometimes pauses between the movements. The end of a piece is always signaled by the conductor who will lower his hands and either turn to shake hands with the soloist or turn and acknowledge the audience and take a bow for the entire ensemble.
3. Applaud anytime during a theater performance when it feels appropriate during a theater performance. Applause is meant to show the audience's appreciation of the performance. If you are applauding during the performance should be kept very short though so that it doesn't interrupt the performance.
4. Applaud at the end of a performance. For theater performances this will involve the entire cast to come forward and take bows. At this time, you can applaud freely, as well as stand to clap for the actors. For a musical performance, the conductor will take several bows and the entire ensemble will rise and take a bow. For these performances, the conductor may move on and off the stage several times to allow soloist to take a bow for applause.
