{"id":156,"date":"2016-02-02T17:16:54","date_gmt":"2016-02-02T22:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theaterseatstorec1.nextmp.net\/wordpress\/?p=156"},"modified":"2025-11-03T02:55:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T07:55:44","slug":"theater-superstitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theaterseatstore.com\/blog\/theater-superstitions","title":{"rendered":"Break a Leg! – The Story Behind Theatrical Superstitions"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″ text_direction=”default”]\n

It\u2019s common knowledge that there are many superstitions in the world of theater. Most people know that an actor will say \u201cbreak a leg\u201d to another actor instead of wishing the person good luck. But why do actors avoid saying \u201cgood luck\u201d on opening night? Consider the history behind the phrase \u201cbreak a leg\u201d along with other superstitions that are alive and well in theater today to gain a deeper appreciation for what you see from venue or home theater seats<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1481317907736{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}”]\n

SAY “BREAK A LEG”<\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=”.blogpostfont” max_width=”1000″]<\/p>\n

There are a lot of possibilities as to the origin of this phrase. One possibility goes back to ancient Greece. Greek citizens used to stomp their feet when they enjoyed a play instead of clapping their hands. If the audience members stomped their feet hard enough, it was believed that someone would eventually break a leg. So when an actor says “break a leg” to another actor, they are hoping that the actor’s performance garners overwhelming appreciation from the audience. Another possible origin of this phrase comes from the days of vaudeville. In vaudeville, when an actor gets to appear onstage, it’s called breaking the leg of the curtain. An actor who breaks the leg of the curtain has the good fortune of getting paid for that night’s performance. This phrase is still widely used in the performing community today.<\/p>\n