how did the green room in theatres get it's name?

[MickyD]

does anyone know how the Green room in theatres got it's name?

[JackDanielsU]

The origin of the term is unknown, though some explanations, that the colour was a response to limelight � early stage lighting, have been suggested. Green is also thought to be a calming and soothing colour.

The archaic slang for the stage is "the green." Hence, the room that's just off the stage may have been designated the "green room."

Many varying theories, no definite answer though

One theory is that the green room was commonly used to store stage shrubbery and grass and was therefore a nice soothing place for a Shakespearean actor to adjust his dress and check his wig before heading out to woo Juliet.

[andy-hughes]

I have always understood that original resting rooms were painted green, to rest the actors' eyes from the bright lights on stage, and the name has stuck, even though modern lighting is far less dazzling, and most 'green rooms' are not in fact green.

[Mr Songman]

Here's a couple of links to a few other possibilities.It seems there isn't a definitive answer!

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-gre2.htm

http://www.theatrecrafts.com/glossary/pages/more

greenroom.html