World Theatre Day

World Theatre Day is a worldwide holiday dedicated to theater. This unique area of art has taken years to form. Actors are so immersed in the images of their characters that the audience has the opportunity to feel the entire atmosphere of the performance, to experience a historical era or a fictional world acting as the backdrop for everything happening on stage. The holiday is celebrated every year on March 27.

History

The history of World Theatre Day begins in 1961 when the International Theater Institute (ITI) proposed the creation of the holiday.

The emergence of theater is associated with ancient Greece. Historians claim that the first amphitheater (a large-scale open-air structure) was built in Greece around the 6th century BC. There were seats for the audience on the hillside, and an orchestra was placed in front of the towering stage, representing a platform for the choir and actors. There was also a skena, an annex combining a dressing room for the actors and a workspace where the sets were made and managed.

For a long time, theater was a privilege for the upper classes. Theatrical art developed greatly during the Renaissance. Today, theater is open to everyone. We can buy a ticket and enjoy gorgeous theatrical productions that will be remembered for a long time.

Interesting facts

• There is a play called Questioning, created by the Magic Garden theaters in Switzerland. There are no actors, scenery, or anything else in the play. People just come in, answer the tricky questions on the questionnaire, and leave!
• In Japanese kabuki theater, the actors playing ninja roles often wear black costumes. This is a historically incorrect image. Black is clearly visible at night. The stealthy killers used colors that blended better with the darkness of the night, such as dark gray or brown.
• A lot of dried used tea bags are used to reproduce ground decoration. To onlookers, such a layout seems like real land.

How to celebrate

Get together with friends or family and attend theater performances that day. Find out more about the history of your favorite play. Learn the tricks of working as a set designer in the theater!

Spread the word on social media. Ask users how often they visit the theater.

When is World Theatre Day in 2025?

World Theatre Day is observed on March 27 each year.

Observations