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Can audience participation in an arena show make or break the experience?

Jacalyn Frenchum

As a social media user and a fan of live shows, I can confidently say that audience participation can make or break the experience. Let me take you on a journey through some of my favorite live performances and how the audience’s energy set the tone for the entire show.

Let’s start with a classic example, a rock concert. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being in a crowd of thousands of people, chanting and jumping along to the beat of the music. But what makes a rock concert truly unforgettable is when the lead singer points the microphone to the audience during a song, and suddenly the entire arena erupts in unison to sing the chorus back. It’s a moment that gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. On the other hand, when the crowd is dead silent and unmoving, it can really dampen the mood of the show.

Moving on to a more theatrical performance, let’s talk about Broadway shows. As someone who loves musicals, I’ve been fortunate enough to see some incredible performances on the Great White Way. And one thing that always stands out to me is when the audience erupts into applause and standing ovations after a particularly impressive song or dance number. It’s like we’re all part of the performance, cheering on the actors as they bow and soak in our appreciation. But if the audience is silent and reserved, it can feel like the performers are just going through the motions.

Finally, let’s talk about comedy shows. As someone who loves to laugh, I’ve been to my fair share of stand-up comedy performances. And let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than a dead crowd. When the comedian is giving their all on stage, pouring their heart out in jokes and stories, but the audience just sits there stone-faced, it’s a real mood-killer. But on the flip side, when the audience is roaring with laughter, it’s like we’re all in on the joke together. That’s what makes a good comedy show truly unforgettable.

In short, audience participation is absolutely crucial to the success of a live performance. As a member of the audience, it’s our responsibility to bring our energy and enthusiasm to the show, and to feed off the energy of those around us. So go ahead, sing along to your favorite songs, give a standing ovation to a stellar performance, and laugh your heart out at a good joke. You never know, your participation just might make the difference between a good show and a truly unforgettable one.