The Audience Factor

This sort of applies to many entertainment areas. I am currently performing in Harbour's one act season and after doing several nights worth of shows I've begun thinking about audiences. We've had such a different audience each night and they react so differently. Some audience's have no fear of reacting to the people on stage. They'll laugh and cry along with the characters. Some don't react at all and from the perspective of someone on the stage feels like your acting to an empty auditorium and admittedly can be quite disturbing. Does the audience feel they have an obligation to be quiet so as not to distract the performer? Or do they really not engage with whats happening up there at all? Does it change with people's theatrical experiences? As an actor I've found my character alters slightly to accomodate each audience and it's just automatic adjustment. I've felt myself do it in other shows. And yes for obvious reasons the performers need to adjust to the audience to a certain degree. It's always harder to act to a non-responsive audience. Maybe people don't realise this? Maybe they ARE too worried that if they say something they will distract the person onstage. Performers need to read an audience. It's more helpful then people think - and this is speaking from personal experience only. It was just a thought. But what do people think? Experiences you've had with audiences - good and not so good. ~ Tari