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Is it wrong to take a selfie during intermission at the theater? Is it wrong to take a selfie during intermission at the theater?
(about 4 hours later)
Some people would have you believe that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Well, it counts in The Washington Post Helping Hand, too. And we came tantalizingly close to meeting our goal for this year’s fundraising campaign.Some people would have you believe that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. Well, it counts in The Washington Post Helping Hand, too. And we came tantalizingly close to meeting our goal for this year’s fundraising campaign.
When we added up all the Post reader contributions to our three nonprofits — Community of Hope, Homestretch and Sasha Bruce Youthwork — the tally was $224,288. That’s only $25,712 short of our $250,000 goal. And it’s about $11,000 more than we raised last year. The money will be put to good use helping homeless families and teens in the Washington area.When we added up all the Post reader contributions to our three nonprofits — Community of Hope, Homestretch and Sasha Bruce Youthwork — the tally was $224,288. That’s only $25,712 short of our $250,000 goal. And it’s about $11,000 more than we raised last year. The money will be put to good use helping homeless families and teens in the Washington area.
It was a great privilege to meet the clients of these charities and to share their stories with you. I learned that some people face incredible challenges almost from birth. I also learned that with help — a place to live, counseling, training, emotional support — they can overcome those obstacles.It was a great privilege to meet the clients of these charities and to share their stories with you. I learned that some people face incredible challenges almost from birth. I also learned that with help — a place to live, counseling, training, emotional support — they can overcome those obstacles.
If you were one of the thousands of readers who donated over the past eight weeks, my sincere thanks. Your gift will help change lives.If you were one of the thousands of readers who donated over the past eight weeks, my sincere thanks. Your gift will help change lives.
John Rossi said he loves Arena Stage. Well, he did until his experience last month during the intermission of “Akeelah and the Bee” in Arena’s Kreeger Theater.John Rossi said he loves Arena Stage. Well, he did until his experience last month during the intermission of “Akeelah and the Bee” in Arena’s Kreeger Theater.
John went with his wife and teenage son. “We take selfies all the time now,” said John, of Falls Church, Va. During intermission, John pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of the three of them in their seats. They were facing the stage, so there wasn’t much visible behind them except a few indistinct blobs that were other theatergoers.John went with his wife and teenage son. “We take selfies all the time now,” said John, of Falls Church, Va. During intermission, John pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of the three of them in their seats. They were facing the stage, so there wasn’t much visible behind them except a few indistinct blobs that were other theatergoers.
John said an usher rushed up and demanded his phone so the image could be deleted. John said he hadn’t taken a photo of the stage set.John said an usher rushed up and demanded his phone so the image could be deleted. John said he hadn’t taken a photo of the stage set.
“It doesn’t matter,” John recalled the usher saying. “We have a copyright on everything in here. The entire theater is copyrighted.”“It doesn’t matter,” John recalled the usher saying. “We have a copyright on everything in here. The entire theater is copyrighted.”
The situation escalated, and a second usher came over. She made the same demand. Things turned quite sour, John said. The Rossis had been in a celebratory mood but now felt set upon. John didn’t delete the photo, but neither did he post it on Facebook.The situation escalated, and a second usher came over. She made the same demand. Things turned quite sour, John said. The Rossis had been in a celebratory mood but now felt set upon. John didn’t delete the photo, but neither did he post it on Facebook.
“I don’t want you to think I’m a crazy selfie person,” he said. He realizes that they are inappropriate at certain times and in certain places — during a performance, in front of a military base — but this seemed innocuous. And are theaters copyrighted?“I don’t want you to think I’m a crazy selfie person,” he said. He realizes that they are inappropriate at certain times and in certain places — during a performance, in front of a military base — but this seemed innocuous. And are theaters copyrighted?
Sort of. Scenery is definitely protected by the copyright of the scenic designer, whose contract typically stipulates that photos may not be taken of the set.Sort of. Scenery is definitely protected by the copyright of the scenic designer, whose contract typically stipulates that photos may not be taken of the set.
Kirstin M. Franko, Arena’s director of media relations, said the theater never intends for patrons to be treated with anything but respect. She wrote in an email: “Given that production design elements are often throughout our entire theater venues even extending into the seats, especially — but not limited to — our iconic, in-the-round Fichandler Stage, we have a no photography/capture rule inside all of our theaters to ensure we do not risk infringing on that copyright in any way.”Kirstin M. Franko, Arena’s director of media relations, said the theater never intends for patrons to be treated with anything but respect. She wrote in an email: “Given that production design elements are often throughout our entire theater venues even extending into the seats, especially — but not limited to — our iconic, in-the-round Fichandler Stage, we have a no photography/capture rule inside all of our theaters to ensure we do not risk infringing on that copyright in any way.”
Kirstin said there are numerous reminders: in the program, on signs and in pre-show announcements. She said Arena’s management continues to discuss the theater’s policy to see whether it should be updated.Kirstin said there are numerous reminders: in the program, on signs and in pre-show announcements. She said Arena’s management continues to discuss the theater’s policy to see whether it should be updated.
I shared Kirstin’s explanation with John. He said that it sounded logical but that the ushers’ reaction still struck him as overzealous. And as far as “Akeelah and the Bee” went, he said, he saw no scenery in the audience.I shared Kirstin’s explanation with John. He said that it sounded logical but that the ushers’ reaction still struck him as overzealous. And as far as “Akeelah and the Bee” went, he said, he saw no scenery in the audience.
John said: “At the end of the day, it’s not my theater. I get it. I’m there as a guest.”John said: “At the end of the day, it’s not my theater. I get it. I’m there as a guest.”
I think we accept that taking a photo during the show – or taking a phone call – is beyond rude. I always thought the prohibition against photographing the set was so the surprise wouldn’t be spoiled for future audiences. I think we accept that taking a photo during a show — or taking a phone call — is beyond rude. I always thought the prohibition against photographing the set was so the surprise wouldn’t be spoiled for future audiences.
But no. Taking a photo of the set violates the agreement with the scenic designers union. “If we see that, we have to have the house manager step in and stop them,” said Signature Theatre’s James Gardiner. But, he added, “If someone is taking a photo of themselves and their family just in their seats, we’re not going to stop them from doing that.”But no. Taking a photo of the set violates the agreement with the scenic designers union. “If we see that, we have to have the house manager step in and stop them,” said Signature Theatre’s James Gardiner. But, he added, “If someone is taking a photo of themselves and their family just in their seats, we’re not going to stop them from doing that.”
I suppose some theaters have a “better safe than sorry” policy. When the phones come out, they can’t be sure what is going to be snapped.I suppose some theaters have a “better safe than sorry” policy. When the phones come out, they can’t be sure what is going to be snapped.
But, of course, they want publicity from social media. To that end, many have displays in the lobby designed as selfie-snapping stations. Signature has had some cool ones, including one with a lectern and a presidential seal during the political musical “The Fix.” That’s more inviting than a poster stuck on a metal pole.But, of course, they want publicity from social media. To that end, many have displays in the lobby designed as selfie-snapping stations. Signature has had some cool ones, including one with a lectern and a presidential seal during the political musical “The Fix.” That’s more inviting than a poster stuck on a metal pole.
I think it’s time for theaters to up their lobby-decor game. Give audiences a reason to prefer the lobby to the theater for their selfie-taking needs.I think it’s time for theaters to up their lobby-decor game. Give audiences a reason to prefer the lobby to the theater for their selfie-taking needs.
I’m going to take a little time off to be by my selfie, um, self. I’ll be back in this space on Jan. 25. Unless . . .I’m going to take a little time off to be by my selfie, um, self. I’ll be back in this space on Jan. 25. Unless . . .
I’m filing this column on Wednesday afternoon. If I win the Powerball on Wednesday night, I may be gone awhile longer.I’m filing this column on Wednesday afternoon. If I win the Powerball on Wednesday night, I may be gone awhile longer.
Twitter: @johnkellyTwitter: @johnkelly
For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.For previous columns, visit washingtonpost.com/johnkelly.