Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  Why is it spelt "theater" and not "theatre" in the domain name?

A: Theater and theatre are often used interchangeably in the United States, like many other English words with different British and American spellings.  Some attribute this to a between live performances at a theatre, and films displayed in a movie theater, but this distinction is not set in stone.

Bill Bryson in Made in America: An Informal History of the English Language in the United States (1994), pointed out that “-re” and “-er” controversy is only one among many subtle differences in spoken and written English on either sides of the Atlantic.  

Mass media, prominent arbiters of American English, seem to prefer “theater.”  From East to West, the New York Times has a Theater Section, and the Los Angles Times Arts Section has Theater Reviews of plays in prominent theatres! 

Interestingly, regional and national organizations affiliated with this art form seem to prefer "theatre."  Examples are many:  New York State Theatre Education Association, The New England Theatre Conference, Theatre Library Association, Theatre Development Fund, Theatre Communications Group,  etc.  Sticking out like a sore thumb is the Theater Musicians Association, an official player conference of the American Federation of Musicians !

Like many former British colonies, India retains British spellings for most English words, so many of us were used to seeing “theatre” rather than “theater” back in the home country.   In the struggle between the "Indo- and -American" halves of our identity, the most prevalent sentiment on this subject with the latter won.

Perhaps what put it over the top for us is the suggestion that the difference between theater and theatre in the United States is one of affectation, suggesting that people who use the “-re” spelling are being snobby! That definitely wouldn't be us....