To Nerd...or Not To Nerd...,THAT IS THE QUESTION...Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous Nerdledge!
Theatre has been around for the past 2,500 years. While performative elements are present in every society, it is customary to acknowledge a distinction between theatre as an art form and entertainment and theatrical or performative elements in other activities. The history of theatre is primarily concerned with the origin and subsequent development of the theatre as an autonomous activity . Since classical Athens in the 6th century BC, vibrant traditions of theatre have flourished in cultures across the world.
Theatre arose as a performance of ritual activities that did not require initiation on the part of the spectator. This similarity of early theatre to ritual is negatively attested by Aristotle, who in his Poeticsdefined theatre in contrast to the performances of sacred mysteries: theatre did not require the spectator to fast, drink the kykeon, or march in a procession; however theatre did resemble the sacred mysteries in the sense that it brought purification and healing to the spectator by means of a vision, the theama. The physical location of such performances was accordingly named theatron.
According to the historians Oscar Brockett and Franklin Hildy, rituals typically include elements that entertain or give pleasure, such as costumes and masks as well as skilled performers. As societies grew more complex, these spectacular elements began to be acted out under non-ritualistic conditions. As this occurred, the first steps towards theatre as an autonomous activity were being taken.
Theatre has been an art form in many different cities, countries, and towns all over the globe from Africa, Asia, Europe, America, Italy, to almost every corner of The World. It has a history older than most other forms of entertainment. With a history as rich as this, it’s no wonder it has its own Nerdom. Here are a couple of fun facts about the world of theatre that we love so much.
Talk Nerdy To Me: Theatre
10 out of 12: Some days in tech will be designated a 12-hour work day, 10 of those hours spent working with 2 hours allowed for meals and breaks.
Sitzprobe: A German word that describes the first time the performers sit and run through the full score with the orchestra. Time is taken to incorporate the two elements until the Music Director is satisfied.
Ghost Light: Before the entire theater is closed for the evening, all lights except for a single, exposed, incandescent bulb are left on stage. For practical purposes, to allow the first person in the next day some light to find the main switches. For superstition, to give the ghosts who inhabit the theater some light to perform by.
Break a leg: To "break a leg" is archaic slang for bowing or curtsying; placing one foot behind the other and bending at the knee "breaks" the line of the leg. In theatre, pleased audiences may applaud for an extended time allowing the cast to take multiple curtain calls, bowing to the audience.
Macbeth:Never say the title of this Shakespeare play in the theater unless you’re performing it. It is believed to be cursed. If you do say it, you must leave the theater, spin around three times to your left, spit, curse, and then knock to be admitted back in.
Theatre Nerds:
Definition: An actor or actress who tends to act in plays/musicals on the live stage. What dictates a Theatre Nerd as opposed to a regular thespian is the fact that they can’t go one day without quoting a musical or play. They hear one que word out of nowhere they can break into a monologue from a play or a song from a musical. They are typically very good at memorizing and recollection of things. They are known to be odd in some ways and hyperactive.
Superstitions:
Good Luck = Bad Luck
Macbeth = Cursed
Bad Dress Rehearsal means great show
Broadway Trivia:
Longest Running Broadway Show: PhantI’m of the Opera(12,000+)
Shortest Running Broadway Show: First One Asleep, Whistle / Father's Day / I Won't Dance -Oliver Hailey (1)
Highest Grossing Broadway Show of All Time: The Lion King ($1,463,250,222.00)
Highest Paid Broadway Actor or Actress of All Time: As of 2017, Hello Dolly's Bette Midler is the highest paid Broadway performer of all time raking In $150,000 a week and 10% of the box office a week. However, Hello Dolly pulled in over a million dollars in it's run, giving Midler a 15% of the box office bonus.
Broadway Base Pay: As of this year, the base pay for a Broadway performer is $2,034 a week.