student group guidelines

CHAPERONES:
To All Parents, Group Leaders and Tour Operators,
Attending a dinner theatre is an exercise in etiquette for the entire group. We offer a reminder to theatre-goers that part of one's pact as an audience member is to take seriously the pleasure of the other audience members. It's a responsibility fulfilled by appropriate behavior and courtesy. We ask that you review these suggestions with your young audience members before their trip and that you all enjoy this performance and come back many more times.


The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre has set the following guidelines for the best experience for students as well as the other patrons in the audience.

1. We treat students with the same respect that other patrons receive and expect the same in return for our servers, bus persons, host staff and other guests.

2. Seating at the Dutch Apple is at dinner tables. Therefore A CHAPERONE MUST ACCOMPANY EVERY TABLE OR EVERY OTHER TABLE. As a chaperone we feel it is your responsibility to supervise the activity of the students at the tables and you cannot do that effectively if you are not amongst them. The group will not be seated without supervisors being with the student tables.

3. The students will be given time on the bus and in the lobby to choose who they would like to sit with at their table. We ask that the chaperones prompt the students to choose ahead of time. If this cannot be accomplished in a timely manner to accommodate other guests, the greeter will choose their groupings. Advance seating may be given so you can arrange the seating assignments before the trip if desired. Seating charts will be sent after the final payment for the group is received.

4. Any damage to the property that occurs in the group's area will be the responsibility of the school or tour company.

5. Last minute cancellations due to illness are understandable for student groups. Refunds will be given for students who do not attend the field trip since they will not be available to repeat this field trip again. The theatre must be notified by 10:00 the morning of the performance date to receive the refund check. It will be sent two weeks after the performance.

6. Condiments on the tables are to be used only with the meal and not for entertainment. If they are misused, the people at the table will be asked to stay after the show to help clean up.

7. Walkmans, radios, headsets or backpacks should remain on the motorcoach. You should not hum, sing along or beat time to the music unless asked to join in by the cast.

8. Unwrap all candies and cough drops before the show begins and wait until intermission to get something from a purse.

9. Moving around and talking during the show is rude to the other people at your table and those sitting nearby. If you move around, talk or walk in and out, it makes the performance unpleasant for everyone. Stay in your seats and enjoy the show! Please be courteous of the audience around you. They have paid for their tickets as well and came to enjoy the show.

10. The proper time to leave a performance is when the curtain is closed and the performers have taken their bows. To leave before then would be like leaving a friend's house before dessert is served. If you must leave during the show, please wait until the scene change and go to the closest aisle. This will help to not disturb the other audience members.

Thank you for sharing this with your student groups and we look forward to entertaining you in the coming months here at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.