Theater vs. Theatre — Page 2

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#26

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 7:30pm

theater looks ignant.

Look, it is what it is and you can be as ornery as you please. It is just good knowledge to know how most people in theatre spell their artform. If you don't want to spell it "theatre"--knock your lights out with "theater". Be a rebel. Whoop dee doo.

johnraymondbarker.com

#27

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 8:47pm

One is French, one is American. There is your difference. I like the spelling 'theatre' so much better.

CCM '10!

#28

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 9:38pm

I just like sounding BRitish and putting theatre.

#29

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 10:34pm

I've always liked it spelled Theatre more. It's just more dramatic hehe.

#30

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 10:38pm

I just alwaysed used THEATRE because it looked...(for lack of a better word) more elegant. haha

"Chicago is it's own incredible theater town right there smack down in the middle of the heartland. What a great city! I can see why Oprah likes to live there!" - Dee Hoty :-D

#31

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 10:42pm

Years ago, "theatre" seemed to be most commonly used, even in the U.S., but now it's "theater," just like "catalogue" has become "catalog." I still use the old spellings just because it's a personal preference. I think it's all pretty much optional though. Oh, by the way, someone had a quote about standardizing American spelling, which mentioned Daniel Webster's influence. It was, of course, Noah Webster, who started that.

Updated On: 8/23/04 at 10:42 PM

#32

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/22/04 at 11:51pm

This thread is funny.

"I'm learning to dig deep down inside and find the truth within myself and put that out. I think what we identify with in popular music more than anything else is when someone just shares a truth that we can relate to. That's what I'm searching for in my music." - Ron Bohmer

"I broke the boundaries. It wasn't cool to be in plays- especially if you were in sports & I was in both." - Ashton Kutcher

#33

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 1:10am

I say we just call it:

Theat

i.e. "I'm going to the theat!" "What a fine work of theat!" & "Theat is such a treat!"

what do ya think? A new movement?

#34

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 1:44am

I'm with you, Revo! And I love Bjork!

johnraymondbarker.com

#35

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:32am

I'm with you bluewizard! There is no listing for 'theater' in the Oxford Dictionary.

#36

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:35am

I'm with all of you! Wheeee hee! It doesn't really matter!

#37

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 4:31pm

I usually just use Theater. I dont know why.

#38

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:30pm

The British also spell "center" as "centre"

#39

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:34pm

I usually use theatre for the craft and theater for the building.....

#40

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 7:52pm

Basically it's up to you to use whichever spelling whenever you feel it's appropriate. Obviously there are multiple ways to approach the issue and to back up whatever spelling you use. And it's really not worth getting too wrapped up in the history behind it or feeling you need to subscribe to one ideology or another. I dig that you're just curious to know which is correct, I researched it myself at one point, and ultimately realized it doesn't really matter which you use as long as you're consistent. I personally use "theatre" for anything having to do with live stage work, and "theater" for the place where movies happen.

"The last train out of any station will not be full of nice guys." - Dr. Hunter S. Thompson

"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers

#41

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 8/23/04 at 8:28pm

While I wil agree that it is ultimately silly, the answer to the question is that most in the theatre spell it re. If that is of interest to you, that is the answer.

johnraymondbarker.com

#42

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 12:55am

I use "theatre" out of general snobbery, as it helps to distinguish what we do from a multiplex in a mall somewhere. And it's not true that theatER is the building. Look at any Broadway theatre. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a single Broadway house that spells it ER.

The one annoyance about this debate is that every time I do a show I have to memorize every entity involved in the production that uses that word in their name, and which way they spell it. Very often it doesn't match between the producer, the venue, and whatever other companies are involved, and I have to remember which is which. And one time, it was the So-and-So TheatRE Company, but when refering to them as a business, the official name was the So-and-So TheatER Company, Inc. Now that was confusing!

#43

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:00am

I just go wherever my hands type actually. I use both spellings. Usually I call the show "theatre" and the building "theater" but that's not always the case and I lean more towards "theater" because as people pointed out, that's the American way of spelling it. I don't say "colour," "realise," or "practise" so why should I switch to a more proper way of spelling for theater? Call me a lazy American.

"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 01:00 AM

#44

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:21am

Well, it's "theatre". Always. That might just be the Canadian in me though.

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 01:21 AM

#45

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 1:35am

I think "theatre" looks pretentious as hell. I can't stand it from Americans. It makes me sneer (while I think "thea-TRAH" in my head).

It's just as bad as that fake "Theater 1A" accent that beginners use in scenes (like what Natalie Portman used in V for Vendetta). Ugh, ugh, ugh.

I may be drunk, but damn it, I believe in what I'm currently saying!

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 01:35 AM

#46

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 2:30am

I find it hilarious when Americans say something like "THEATER is the correct spelling." There are very few occasions when the American way is the correct way to spell a word (centre being another example and catalog as well). I place such hubris uright up there with "Do you speak American?"

http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622 http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699

#47

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 3:01am

It doesn't matter. Everyone has a different opinion.

"People that excel in the arts understand that the journey is the reward...the result an added bonus. Every day I act or train is a blessing and a dream come true. If Broadway beckons so be it. I have a personal definition of success that is unshakable by a possibly unobtainable goal." -HamletWasBipolar

#48

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 3:33am

I spell it theater.

While I'm at it, I also write glamor, catalog, dialog, prolog, anesthesia, esthetic, etc. English is not my native language, so I learned the American way when I emigrated.

I'd spell the British way had I moved there instead.

Salve, Regina, Mater misericordiae
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 03:33 AM

#49

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 6:54am

THEATER = American

Most Americans spell it theater.

#50

re: Theater vs. Theatre

Posted: 10/5/06 at 7:36am

Dover is correct. Every NYC legitimate theatre is spelled Theatre, not Theater, as in, The Shubert Theatre is the flagship theatre in the Shubert chain of theatres in New York City.

"Madam Rose...and her daughter...Gypsy!"

Updated On: 10/5/06 at 07:36 AM

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