I did a production of Trafford Tanzi where the deck was pushed out over the first 10 rows of the audience, those seats placed on the stage surrounding the 'wrestling ring' which was centred just DS of the pros.
I could not see the entire ring (the stage) from either usual calling position (FOH booth or at DSR pros), so we made the decision to move me out into full view between the SR and US onstage audience - balancing off the MD on the other side of the stage. I had a music stand with light, my Book and wireless headset. Replacing my blacks I had a Referee's top. If I was going to visible, why try and hide? I became a part of the show. I was accepted by the audience as such and they turned their interest to the play.
Preshow, as the audience came in, I could remain at the ring, sweeping it down and checking the ropes one final time - and there were a couple of times during the run where I was able to get up and move to the ring to check on something. Once, one of the ropes snapped - I ran up and conferred with the actor 'Ref' who stopped the action - while I affected a temp repair - and he kept up a banter with me, the other actors, the MD and the audience. Essentially I stopped the show but the audience may not have even been aware it wasn't part of the shtick.
Don't be afraid of the audience - you're there for a purpose and while they may be fascinated by what you are doing, if your actions and intent are centred towards the production, they too will be.
