No Respect Shown at Kids Show (as seen in the Daily Herald)

May 31, 2009 

My daughter takes dance lessons through the Lockport Park District. It's a nice program that's purpose is to get kids interested in dance. The kids go to weekly dance lessons to learn dance steps in order to prepare for their big show at the end of the year. That big show was May 21 at Lockport Township High School's Central Campus.

I entered the auditorium right before the show began. The curtains opened and the dancing began. One thing that I instantly noticed was the people in the audience talking. Then I noticed two children chasing each other through the aisles. The parents said nothing.

The row behind me was empty, they ran screaming down the row, then down the aisle, then across another empty row four rows in front of me, then up the other aisle, then back down the row behind me again ... screaming for no apparent reason. Like vultures they circled me, screaming as if to see if there was life in me -- to see if I would move, for if I did not, I probably would have been eaten.

After I had been circled four times, I had had enough and moved to the other side of the auditorium. Unfortunately, my daughter's first performance was happening during the time I was being circled.

On the other side of the auditorium it was a little better. However, a woman with shoes that went "cloppity clop" every time she stepped was walking up and down the aisle beside me during the performances.

Glancing around the room there were people on their cell phones and adults talking to one another as the children were performing on stage.

It's really no wonder a lot of children today have no respect as their parents sure aren't modeling it. There is an etiquette that should be observed at any performance. When the curtain opens, you need to be quiet. When the curtain closes, you may talk to your neighbors. It's really that simple.

Some people would say, "Adam, you don't have to hear them. You WATCH dance. Lighten up!" or "But Adam, it's just a park district performance. It isn't a major play or performance." Tell that to the 5-year-old on the stage for the first time. Tell that to the 7-year-old who put her heart and soul into dancing on stage.

Tell that to the 12-year-old who practiced tirelessly to get her dance moves just right. Tell them that this is "just a park district performance" and not a major production.

Before every performance, I believe that the part district staff should give a quick lesson in theater etiquette. Turn off your cell phones. Talk only when the curtain is closed. If your child is misbehaving, please remove them so that they do not ruin the show for someone else. Parents should lead by example.

I thought the kids did a fantastic job on stage and I would give them an A. The audience as a whole would get a C.

E-mail Adam Woodworth at adam@adamwoodworth.info