***
Long ago, before theatres existed, people still had performances, plays, musicals. They needed a place to gather, someplace that was easily located by visitors who were travelling from afar to listen to and watch these great performers.
After all, if there were no audience members, there would be no applause, let alone any money for these people of talent.
So, they devised a consistent plan for locating performances...
In this time, many trees grew in the lands. Sequoias and pine trees were plentiful. Maples and birch trees, magnolias and crepe myrtles...
The performers talked amongst themselves:
"We need a way to identify where we are performing!"
"Yes, yes, we certainly do!"
"What is something that is near every town that we travel to?"
"Hmmmmm... birds?"
"No, they're migratory! We can't move everytime they move!"
"Rocks?"
"Ouch!"
"Trees?"
"Yes, yes! Trees! They grow tall and would be visible to audience members seeking us!"
"And they would provide shade for our audience!"
"I know! Near the towns, there are always trees! Large ones!"
"Wow, that's an awesome idea!"
"Yes! It is awesome! The shade of trees... let's perform by the largest tree near each town... one that is shaped like an "A" for "Audience" and "Awesome!"
"Huzzah!"
And so it came to be... that whenever performers were coming to town, word spread to meet at the A tree.
Flyers would be posted in the towns to announce the coming performances: "So and so and so and so and so and so performing at the A tree!"
Some of the sign makers didn't have enough parchment to fit the message, and it soon read: "So and so and so and so and so and so performing at theAtree!"
And some just got lazy, and soon the signs read: "So and so and so and so and so and so performing at theAtre!"
Eventually, folks became bothered by the mosquitoes that feasted on them when they attended performances, and buildings were built. But, they still told each other to "meet at theAtre."
As time came to pass, folks came to call the buildings "theatres"
***
So, whenever you're puzzling over how to spell "theatre", just remember the history of the word, and the A tree where folks used to meet.
**Note: This account of the origin of the word "theAtre" is entirely fictitious. It's a story that I created while a member of Dance Rep at UC Davis, and my friend was trying to puzzle out how to spell theatre (we held our performances at the Main Theatre on campus).
