Richard O'Brien probably said it best: "It's a guaranteed party."

Rocky Horror is a place to go where you'll be accepted, whoever you are. The music is wonderful, the costumes are flashy and fun, and the film can be a wonderful vacation from reality. It's like a grown-up combination of dressing up and the Wizard of Oz, and we get to be among the players, cut loose, and be someone exciting and sexy for a couple of hours a week. If you remember the '70s, it's a nostalgia trip. For those of us who don't, it's still a nice place to visit.

In short, it's just a lot of fun.

Yourself. Plenty of friends (optional). Your ID (just in case, the theater has a bar.)

A sense of humour and an expectation of fun (required).

Here is a semi-complete listing acceptable items.

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• Water Guns (Please NO super soakers)

• Flashlight (NOTE: Used during "Theres a light" don't be rude and mess up the movie for others)

• Glowsticks

• Noise Makers

• Rubber Gloves

• Toilet Paper (preferably Scott brand)

• Bells (or keys)

• Playing Cards

There are others, but this should get you started. It's up to you to figure out when to use these.

There's a general rule most people seem to follow: DO NOT throw it at the screen or backwards towards the lights and projector. (Members of the cast will probably appreciate it if you don't throw items at them, either.)

Leave any weapons at home (knives, guns, nuclear missiles...).

No outside alcohol.

No drugs, either...if you're going to indulge, do it before or after so the cast isn't put in a legal bind.

Please leave rice, toast, and hotdogs home. If we cant find them after the movie is over, it can start to stink up the place, and besides thats how you get ants!

As little as possible (keep it legal, please). Well, lots of black is usually good. As is lingerie. As are fishnets. And too much makeup (especially if you are a guy). Basically, the weirder the better. You'll feel strange leaving the house (or office), but once you get to the theatre, you should fit right in.

Extra bonus points are awarded for dressing as a character in the film.

Expect the unexpected. Okay, that was a predictable answer. Sorry.

Expect possibly to get your clothes wet.

Expect possibly to get hit on.

Expect possibly to see nudity (or something close to it).

Expect possibly to be somewhat offended.

Don't be upset if not all of this happens, though - I make no guarantees.

For the most part, expect that you'll have a good time.

Sure, there's raunchiness, lame jokes, and bad singing and dancing, but that's part of the fun. While you might not like the person breathing heavily on you, for the most part, Rocky-goers respect each other, and won't overstep any limits you set, particularly as our culture has gotten more and more sue-happy.

You might have issues if those limits are ridiculously prudish, in which case you should re-evaluate whether you should be at RHPS in the first place.

Oh, you wanted specifics?

We have some sort of welcome/introduction to the film.

There will be cast members running around in front of the movie, hopefully in costume. Presumably doing stuff sort of similar to what's going on on-screen with some sight gags thrown in.

People will be shouting and throwing clever/stupid/rude things.

If you can't hear the dialogue over the audience, that's normal.

Complaining about it is considered a sign of cluelessness and/or old age.

Go ahead, get up and Time Warp. You know you want to.

If you're going back to see the show after staying away for several years, don't expect things to be like they were "back in the old days." Rocky Horror is an evolving phenomenon. That's why it's still going after all these years.

It's a main part of RHPS. The audience "calls-back" lines to the screen. These are often called "call-backs" or "lines." Our cast calls them " AP Lines" Also, in various parts of the movie, the audience members throw things all over the place and make a big mess. Lots o' fun. For more on this, see the What should I take? subsection.

VIRGIN - In the common world, this usually refers to a person who has not engaged in sexual relations. In the ROCKY HORROR world, this word refers to the many unfortunate people who have never experienced THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (RHPS) in a theater with an audience and a live cast. Seeing it on home video (Blu-ray, DVD, VHS, Netflix Instant, etc.) or on TV doesn't count!

Probably.

We have something called a "Virgin Oath."  Its just in good fun and we aren't out to really hurt anyone. We want you to return again and again - we're not going to piss you off so that you never go back.

You can try to hide, but if anyone at all in the theatre knows you, they will betray you. Count on it. Don't worry about it and let them have their fun. Just close your eyes and think of England.

No. This is a major misconception about RHPS. Nobody is going to think any less of you if you just sit back and have a good time. Before you know it, you'll know more than you ever really wanted to. Many of the lines are based on the news of the day, and are constantly changing anyway. Just relax and enjoy yourself (or the people around you, if all parties involved are in agreement on this). If you want a freebie, Brad is the asshole and Janet's the slut. Feel better?

Get a bit of sleep. Drink a bit of coffee. Dress in a bit of lingerie. Collect a bit of props. Review a bit of call-backs. Not necessarily in that order.

Have fun. What you do is up to you. You can sit back and enjoy the spectacle, you can be active and a part of the spectacle. Just respect the rules listed during the pre-show and youre fellow veiwers.

Drink a bit of coffee. Take off a bit of lingerie. ...etc.