Green room
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A green room is a room in a theater, studio, or other public venue for the accommodation of performers or speakers when not required on the stage.
Its function is as a break/touch-up lounge so that performers do not have to go back to wardrobe/dressing rooms and are still easily accessible for their call.
The first recorded use of the term was in 1701 but the origin of the term is unknown and is the source of many folk etymologies such as:
The term Green Room can be easily traced back to the East End of London England. In Cockney rhyming slang, Greengage is Stage, therefore Greengage Room is Stage Room and like most rhyming slang it gets shortened, hence Green' Room. (this info came from the late great comedian and dancer Max Wall).
- In some explanations it is said that the colour was a response to limelight – early stage lighting.
- Green is also thought to be a calming and soothing colour.
- The most widely accepted origin of the term dates back to Shakespearean theatre. Actors would prepare for their performances in a room filled with plants and shrubs. It was believed that the moisture in the topiary was beneficial to the Actors' voices.
- Richard Southern, in his studies of Medieval theatre in the round, states that the acting area was "The Green". The central space, often grass-covered, was used by the actors, while the surrounding space and circular banks were occupied by the spectators. Since then "The Green" has been a traditional actor's term for the stage. Even in proscenium arch theatres there was a tradition that a green stage cloth should be used for a tragedy. The green room is thus the room on the way to the green. Technical Staff at some West End theatres (such as the London Coliseum), still refer to the stage as "the green".
- It has been suggested that the original 'green room' was in a London theatre converted from office buildings. The room behind the stage had previously been used to cut deals and was known as the 'agreeing room,' and the phrase has become corrupted over the years.[citation needed]
- According to a professor of theatre history, long before modern makeup was invented the actors had to apply makeup before a show and allow it to set up or cure before performing. Until the makeup was cured, it was "green" and people were advised to sit quietly in the "green room" until such time as the makeup was stable enough for performing. Uncured makeup is gone, but the green room lives on.[citation needed]
- Some studies state that the green room was originally called the retaining room. The ensemble of a production would wait there for their appearance onstage, listening to the performance of the principal actors and critiquing their acting. When made aware of this practice, the leads began to call the retaining room the green room, mocking the envy of the "lesser actors."[citation needed]
[edit] Expanded meaning
In some theatre companies, the term green room also refers to the director's critique session held after a rehearsal or performance, since it is often held in the "green room." This session is used for a pep talk, bonding among actors, and/or warmup exercises.
The "green room" is also another location where patrons or fans may meet and greet the famous musician(s)/performer(s) after a concert. A fee is usually paid to gain access to this area.
Contrary to popular belief, most Green Rooms in theatres are not actually painted green.[citation needed]
The Green Room is located in Kalamazoo,Michigan and is where alot of songs are recorded by the home town band in which they need marijuana to record in The Green Room thus giving it, its name.
[edit] Other meanings
In surfing the "green room" is the inside of a barrel that is produced by a wave. This term was coined due to the color of light reflected into the barrel. In the White House the Green Room is one of three state parlors located on the state floor.
