I conducted a simple written survey of 20 theatre students at Southern Oregon University. These students had had from two to six years experience around a theater.
100% of respondents were aware that "Break A Leg" meant good luck.
100% also knew that saying "Macbeth" in a theater is bad luck.
60% of the students were aware of the use of ghost lights
50% knew it was bad luck to open an umbrella on stage
10% knew it was unlucky to have a peacock feather on stage
5% had heard it was unlucky to whistle in a theater
10% had heard it was good luck to have a bad last dress rehearsal
Even
many neophites were aware of the most common theatersuperstitions. Through
this survey I learned of three new theater superstitions. The first is
that it is good luck to have a noose on stage. Many theaters keep one
up in the rafters above the electrics. Chandeliers are supposed to be
bad luck on stage as well as real horses (hmmm... I wonder why?)
