--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the…" description: "\"When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in New York recently, there were people texting all through the show. But theatre isn't a co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5b/robert-lepage-5205_communication_when-i-directed-the-ring-cycle-at-the-me_1109592.jpg" --- # When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the Metropolitan Opera… ![“When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in New York recently, there were people texting all through the show. But theatre isn't a communication device: it's a communion.” quote by Robert Lepage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5b/robert-lepage-5205_communication_when-i-directed-the-ring-cycle-at-the-me_1109592.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5b/robert-lepage-5205_communication_when-i-directed-the-ring-cycle-at-the-me_1109592.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5b/robert-lepage-5205_communication_when-i-directed-the-ring-cycle-at-the-me_1109592.jpg) > “When I directed the 'Ring' cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in New York recently, there were people texting all through the show. But theatre isn't a communication device: it's a communion.” [Robert Lepage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-lepage/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker criticizes audience distraction, emphasizing that theater should be a shared, sacred experience rather than a platform for personal communication. **In simple terms:** Theater is a communal art, not a personal chat. Key Takeaway Treat performances as shared, sacred moments. Themes art attention community ritual Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type observational philosophical When to use this quote - attending opera - live theater - public performances - digital etiquette Key Concepts theatrical immersion collective experience etiquette Questions to Reflect On - How can audiences respect live art? - What responsibilities do performers have to engage viewers? A Different Perspective Audience habits may be hard to change; some find texting acceptable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Device Communion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/device-communion-2948677/) [Metropolitan Opera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metropolitan-opera-1162765/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [Opera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opera/) [Show](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/show/) [Texting Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/texting-theatre-2948676/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) [Theatre Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre-isn-2318362/) ## Related quotes > [Americans, they have an incredible operatic tradition: the Metropolitan Opera House is - if not the most prestigious - one of the most prestigious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-carreras/americans-they-have-an-incredible-operatic-tradition-the-metropolitan/) [Jose Carreras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-carreras/) > [The Metropolitan Opera, of course, is the gold standard in opera. 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