Dave Chappelle Follows Hannibal Buress’ Lead With Strict “No Phones” Policy

chappelle yondr

If you’re headed to Dave Chappelle’s 13 show run at Chicago’s Thalia theater, you won’t be annoying anyone during the show by using your phone. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chappelle has just signed on with Yondr, a company that has figured out how to take cell phone use during shows down to zero.

Their technology prevents recording of shows, as well as disruptive texting, selfie taking, and taking or making calls while in the theater by requiring all theatergoers to deposit their phone into a pouch when they enter the theater. The Yondr pouch allows you to keep your silenced cell phone with you, but you will be unable to see it or use it while you are in the performance area. The pouch unlocks automatically when you leave the ‘protected zone’ enabling you to check your phone or make a call if you walk into the lobby area.

Hannibal Buress made headlines over the summer pioneering the use of the new technology at comedy shows, and results seemed to be generally positive. Kevin Hart used a different approach to reach the same result during his tour this summer, where he used a large team of security personnel to eject anyone caught using their cell phone for any reason, but Hart’s ejection policy seemed to bring more animosity and bad will than the pouch system.

Back in May, Yondr’s Graham Dugoni  told Comedy Hype that “creating genuinely phone-free shows, not just “banning” them and slapping people on the wrist when they break the policy (or having to kick them out!), brings forth a number of benefits for both the audience and performer,” including allowing the performer to control their own material, not worrying about ‘viral’ repercussions of new material, more exclusive shows and having a fully engaged audience.  Dugoni said audience members also benefit from the distraction free environment and become a part of a more shared experience with the others in the room.

 

Yondr uses the slogan ‘be here now’ and says Yondr has a simple purpose, “to show people how powerful a moment can be when we aren’t focused on documenting or broadcasting it.”

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