Tweet Seats in Movie Theaters?

Before the movie begins we all sit through those clever reminders to turn off our phones.  But of course people who are inconsiderate enough to use their phones in a movie theater are not going to to pay attention.  Minnesota’s famous Guthrie Theater for live performance has a new idea, “tweet seats” for those who want to use social media while they watch the film.

The seats are located in the balcony-level of the theater so that the tweeting won’t be disruptive to other audience members.

“Tweet seats” are part of a growing trend in theaters across the country. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Palm Beach Opera in Florida and the Public Theater in New York have all experimented with designated sections for patrons who just must use their phones, The Daily Mail notes.

All of the theaters offering “tweet seats” feature live performances. The perk is meant to encourage audience interaction and to create a buzz about the production. But there is also the chance that introducing these seats legitimizes a behavior that is widely regarded as just plain rude.

The problem with tweeting, texting and other cell phone use in theaters has become so widespread, that an app has been created to offer rewards to theatergoers who switch their phones to vibrate during screenings.

Will this spread to movie theaters?  Should it?

I like the idea of apps that let viewers of television shows interact with each other and get access to additional material via apps.  But I’m with the folks at the Alamo Theater — no one should be allowed to create disruptions or distractions during performances, whether stage or film.