Final answer:
Theatre superstitions include the ghost light to prevent hauntings, referring to Shakespeare's Macbeth as "The Scottish Play" to avoid bad luck, and using "Break a Leg" instead of "Good Luck" to wish performers well. Bad dress rehearsals are thought to predict successful opening nights, and in Italy, the color purple is avoided on stage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three Theatre Superstitions
Theatre superstitions are legendary among actors and theatre crew, affecting behaviors and traditions in dramatic arts. Here are three common theatre superstitions:
The Ghost Light
A ghost light is a single bulb left lit on stage when a theatre is empty, which some see as a safety measure while others believe it wards off ghosts. This superstition has been held in theatres worldwide, including Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre with the ghost of Olive Thomas, and the Belasco Theatre, said to be haunted by David Belasco.
The "Scottish Play"
Shakespeare's play Macbeth is often referred to as "The Scottish Play" to avoid bad luck associated with saying its name aloud in a theatre setting – it's considered one of the more powerful theatre superstitions.
"Break a Leg" Instead of "Good Luck"
Saying "Good Luck" is considered to bring bad fortune in the theatre, so the phrase "Break a Leg" is used instead. The origins of this expression are unclear, but it might relate to the action of bowing, or bending one's leg, at the end of a successful performance.
Dress Rehearsals and Colors
Bad dress rehearsals are thought to lead to a successful opening night, and superstitions extend to colors, with purple being banned from stages in Italy due to its historical association with lent and artists being out of work.