Creative Actors Lab

Acting Superstitions & The "M-Word"

October 23, 2023 Max and Kelley Grimm Season 1 Episode 26
Acting Superstitions & The "M-Word"
Creative Actors Lab
More Info
Creative Actors Lab
Acting Superstitions & The "M-Word"
Oct 23, 2023 Season 1 Episode 26
Max and Kelley Grimm

Join Kelley and Max as we explore a few well-known and not-so-well-known acting superstitions.  We explore what they are and offer logical explanations for why they came to be and include:

  • Whistling backstage 
  • Ghost lights
  • No blue costumes on stage
  • No mirrors on stage
  • Bad dress rehearsals
  • No peacock feathers 

We also discuss the origin of wishing someone luck by telling them to "break a leg" and how that came into our modern lexicon. Finally, we address the Scottish Play (Macbeth), how it has an unlucky and sometimes deadly history, and how to combat the curse if it's said in a theater.  We look at the history from the first performance when the actor playing Lady McB died to the most recent instance when Chris Rock congratulated Denzel Washington on his performance as the Scottish King, only to be slapped by Will Smith just a few minutes later. 

DISCLAIMER - if you are in a theater and superstitious, when we get to the part about the Scottish tragedy at minute 25:47, you might want to put the podcast on pause, but if you do hear the name of the Scottish king in the theater, we offer ways to combat the curse.  This is the link to the hilarious scene with arrogant actors in Black Adder that we mention. 

For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel - @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page. Thanks so much for listening!

Show Notes

Join Kelley and Max as we explore a few well-known and not-so-well-known acting superstitions.  We explore what they are and offer logical explanations for why they came to be and include:

  • Whistling backstage 
  • Ghost lights
  • No blue costumes on stage
  • No mirrors on stage
  • Bad dress rehearsals
  • No peacock feathers 

We also discuss the origin of wishing someone luck by telling them to "break a leg" and how that came into our modern lexicon. Finally, we address the Scottish Play (Macbeth), how it has an unlucky and sometimes deadly history, and how to combat the curse if it's said in a theater.  We look at the history from the first performance when the actor playing Lady McB died to the most recent instance when Chris Rock congratulated Denzel Washington on his performance as the Scottish King, only to be slapped by Will Smith just a few minutes later. 

DISCLAIMER - if you are in a theater and superstitious, when we get to the part about the Scottish tragedy at minute 25:47, you might want to put the podcast on pause, but if you do hear the name of the Scottish king in the theater, we offer ways to combat the curse.  This is the link to the hilarious scene with arrogant actors in Black Adder that we mention. 

For more on Creative Actors Lab, check our website, www.creativeactorslab.com. You can always find us at our Instagram page, @creative_actors_lab, Facebook page, @CreativeActorsLab, Linked-In - Creative Actors Lab, and YouTube Channel - @CreativeActorsLab . If you would like to support our work - this is our Patreon Page. Thanks so much for listening!