What is meant by "opening the house" in a theatre context?

"Opening the house" in a theatre context refers specifically to the moment when the audience is signaled that they can enter the auditorium and take their seats in preparation for the performance. This process usually occurs after the house manager or stage manager has ensured that everything is ready for the show, including the safety and comfort of the audience.

When the house opens, ushers typically guide audience members to their seats, contributing to the overall experience of attending a live performance. This terminology is derived from the phrase "opening the house doors," symbolizing that the space is now accessible to the public.

The other options focus on different aspects of theatre operations; for instance, starting the performance is a separate event that takes place once everyone is seated, and beginning ticket sales pertains to financial and promotional activities before the performance itself. Closing the theatre, on the other hand, is not related to the audience's participation in a show.