Why is a theatre's green room called a "Green Room"?

Answer 1

The term comes from the early days of Roman theatre when actors performed on rude stages usually surrounded by hills. When actors would collect on "the green", they had usually taken to the hill beyond the sight of the audiences to relax or prepare for their next entrance.

There is also credence to the fact that during the age of Sullivan & Gilbert and their producer Richard D'Oyly Carte, the actor's lounge nearest the stage entrance at the Savoy Theatre was painted viridian green, thus the term green room.

Answer 2

I second the motion about Vatican. I, too, have always heard it was because of the Savoy Theatre's waiting room for the actors being green.

Answer 3

It's because it's usually in the basement, which is damp and so it gets very mouldy, hence green room. Some theatres have a blue veined room, but that's usually in old cheesy flea pits.

Answer 4

because green is deemed to be a calming colour, therefore being in a green room prior to an appearance is to help keep nerves down

Answer 5

Vatican Lokey is right. Ignore all others.

Answer 6

because you feel like throwing up before you go on?