Why....does this happen

lungdoc wrote in post #5272834
Other option is flash, if allowed (if not maybe at a rehearsal, pictures will be similar anyway). External flash, especially if you can bounce it, can work wonders and a lot cheaper than fast lenses.

I was, I would guess- 80 feet away from the stage so I don't think the flash would have helped, but thank you for all your help. Other pictures that are alittle better can be found here if interested. Not terrible for a cheap lens and an inexperienced photographer.
Thanks again for your help

This table http://www.night-ray.com/PhotoCheatShee​t.pdf will tell you you could actually use 430EX at 100 feet away at ISO 1600 5.6 (not bounced though); 580EX at 133 feet.