WWU Director Uses Code Names to Avoid Theater Curse

Bellingham, Wash. Western Washington University professor Evan Mueller is directing Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth' this fall, a production that requires him to follow long-standing theatrical superstitions. Mueller explained that actors and staff generally avoid speaking the full title of the play aloud to prevent bringing bad luck to the performance.

Mueller, who is not described as particularly superstitious, said he will refer to the production by alternative names during rehearsal and public discussions. He plans to call the play 'Mac-b,' 'The Scots Play,' or 'Mackers.' He noted that while he can use the title when working through the text of the play, he will not say it casually.

If an actor or director accidentally speaks the title, Mueller said they must perform a specific ritual to break the curse. The process involves going outside the stage door, turning around three times, and spitting over one's shoulder four times. Mueller described this rule as one of the most powerful traditions in theater, stating he would never slip up and say the name out loud.

Other superstitions guide behavior in the theater as well. Mueller recounted an incident during a previous production of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' where an actor tossed a fedora onto a bed prop during a dress rehearsal break. Mueller immediately ordered the hat removed, citing the belief that hats on beds bring bad luck. He noted that while some rules, like not walking under ladders, have logical safety reasons, the hat rule is purely traditional.

The practice of leaving a light on in an empty theater, known as the ghost light, also stems from history and safety. Mueller explained that originally, the light served as a pilot flame to keep gas lamps lit. Today, it remains a safety precaution to prevent cast members from falling off the edge of the stage in the dark. It is also believed to clear away the emotional energy accumulated from years of performing stories about life and death.

Mueller acknowledged that many productions of 'Macbeth' have been considered cursed throughout history, though he conceded that theater in general can be unpredictable. He said the company tells these stories to make them as dramatic as possible, but the rules persist because they are deeply ingrained in the culture.

The mainstage theater in the Performing Arts Center at Western Washington University has its own reputation. Mueller admitted that he would not enter the room through the door downstage right if he were alone. He said he is not certain if the space is truly haunted, but he prefers to avoid the risk.