Why is it called a green room?
Theatre people are naturally inclined toward storytelling, so what we don’t know we sometimes just make up.
Many explanations for why the offstage actors’ lounge is called a green room are great stories, and some of them have roots in history. But none of them have any real claim to truth:
• Early stage light (limelight) was green, so actors could only accurately put their makeup on in a room painted green.
• Actors hung out in the room where all the stage topiary was stored.
• Early stages were outside on the “green.”
• The lounge was painted green because it was calming.
• The ticket money (the “green”) was counted in this room after the show.
Since we don’t have a real answer on this, here’s a list of “green” places with answers:
• A green room – any environmentally friendly room in a building.
• The Green Room – one of three state parlors at the White House; appropriately, the walls are green.
• The green room – in surfing, this is the lovely, watery green place inside the curl of a wave. It is also loud and requires excellent balance to visit.