Theatre’s Most Superstitious Traditions
What do theatre actors, pirates, and athletes have in common? A healthy respect for superstition! As Halloween creeps closer, PAA pulls back the curtain to reveal some of theatre’s most famous (and sometimes downright silly) superstitions.
Whether backed by logic or rooted purely in tradition, theatre folk take them all to heart. Below, we highlight a few of the most well-known superstitions — and the curious “why” behind each one.
🎭 Don’t Teach Bows Until Opening Night
Bowing to an empty house is an open invitation for a doomed show. The bow is reserved for thanking the audience, and some believe thanking an empty auditorium is bad luck.
🧙♀️ Never Say Macbeth in a Theatre
Also known as “The Scottish Curse”, uttering Macbeth in the theatre is considered one of the greatest taboos of the stage.
Some say it’s because Shakespeare’s play includes witchcraft chants that summon spirits. Others believe the curse solidified when a series of actors throughout centuries experienced unfortunate events during the production of Macbeth.
Luckily, there are ways to reverse this curse if a cast or crew member foolishly utters “Macbeth”, including going outside the theatre, spinning around three times, spitting into the air, and waiting to be invited back in.
🍀 Say “Break a Leg,” Not “Good Luck”
A simple “good luck” can send actors into a superstitious spiral, while “break a leg” is practically a blessing.
Like many theatrical superstitions, there are multiple theories behind this superstition.
- Spirits who dawn the stage enjoy granting the opposite of any wish. Therefore, wishing someone to “break a leg” will surely bring pleasantries.
- “Leg” refers to the theatrical curtain that separates the backstage from the main stage. Encouraging someone to “break a leg” simply means to step into the spotlight and deliver their performance.
- In Ancient Greece, audiences stomped their feet to show approval. Encouraging actors to “break a leg” simply meant to give the performance of a lifetime and cause the audience to stomp their feet so hard that they “break a leg”.
🚫 Whistling Backstage Brings Bad Luck
This superstition actually makes perfect sense. Before modern technology, stagehands used whistling cues to raise curtains and move scenery. A stray whistle from an unsuspecting actor or visitor could trigger an ill-timed set change — or worse, a falling sandbag. The rule stuck: no whistling backstage!
🪞 Mirrors on Stage = Bad Luck
This one isn’t about seven years of bad luck or spirit portals — it’s practical. Mirrors reflect light unpredictably, which can ruin lighting design or temporarily blind actors mid-scene. A simple superstition that’s also smart stage safety.
💡 Always Leave the Ghost Light On
This superstition blends logic and lore. Keeping one light on prevents falling into trap doors or bumping into props upon entering the theatre. Those more inclined to believe in ghosts suspect that leaving a single light on wards off spirits or provides a spotlight for diva spirits.
🔵 Blue Shouldn’t Be Worn on Stage
This is a lesser-known superstition that no longer applies to theatre today. In the early days of theatre, blue dye was the most expensive of all dyes. To save money, producers brewed up the rumor that wearing blue on stage was unlucky. Seeing as though thespians lean into superstitions, the rumor worked!
🌟 A Bad Dress Rehearsal Means a Great Opening Night
The origins of this belief are unknown, but the sentiment holds strong. A flawed dress rehearsal often eases nerves, leaving the flubs behind, while encouraging actors to nail the performance opening night!
Whether you buy into these superstitions or simply enjoy them as theatrical traditions, one thing’s for sure: the theatre wouldn’t be the same without a touch of mystery and a sprinkle of superstition.
