A curtain call is a traditional series of bows and claps at the end of a live performance, often becoming an encore. In theatre, it is choreographed by role size, ending with a company-wide bow. Ensemble casts hold curtain calls together to honor the entire group. Sports and films also have curtain calls. It is an expression of mutual gratitude between the artist and the audience.
A curtain call is a series of bows and claps usually held at the end of a live performance. This allows the public to recognize artists by their work. Curtain calls can sometimes become encores, where extra material is performed at the request of the audience.
In theatre, curtain calls are usually carefully choreographed as part of the rehearsal process. Generally for large shows, these calls are made in order of role size. Ensemble members, dancers and chorus actors will bow first, the featured roles will follow, and the stars of the show will bow last. Usually the call ends with a company-wide bow, which often includes acknowledgment to the orchestra or band. In the traditional staging, after the company bows, the curtain will be lowered and raised again if the applause continues. Often, in musical theatre, the curtain call will include an extra verse of a song from the show.
Some stage shows feature only a few performers, called ensemble casts. These shows often feature many similarly sized roles, and the cast will hold curtain calls together, rather than individual bows. This form of curtain call is meant to honor the bond and shared credit of the entire group.
Although the general rule of thumbs suggests that shorter is better, amateur or charity theater will often feature extended curtain calls on the last night of the show. These longer bows may include individual speeches and thanks. The director or producers of the event are often invited on stage to share the latest curtain call and are sometimes presented with gifts from the cast.
Musical performances generally feature strings from the performers and conductors. If an audience is particularly responsive, players may choose to perform a number or set of encores. Encore tracks are usually either a favorite work of the performer, a cover of another artist’s work, or an experimental and sometimes unfinished work. An encore is the artist’s gift to the audience, to thank them for the applause and support.
In sports, curtain calls can be made after a particularly impressive game. End zone dances by football players after touchdowns are considered a form of curtain call. After a home run in baseball, a player may greet the crowd by returning to the field and waving or tipping his hat. If a match ends well, the whole team can go out for a bow.
Some films include a curtain call by inserting short shots of the actors in character during the credits. Filmmakers Mel Brooks and Kevin Smith are both known for including this technique. At the end of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, portraits of each actor were done by designer Alan Lee and shown during the end credits.
The curtain in the live performance is an expression of mutual gratitude between the artist and the audience. Some performers report experiencing “curtain highs,” where the excitement of the well-received performance gives them an energy boost. Although some performers claim to live for applause, strings are truly an occasion for the artist to thank the audience for attending and supporting. In return, the public has the opportunity to express their pleasure in the work done by the artists.
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