Getting Started

Introduction & Overview

The lights dim. The audience goes quiet. A single spotlight hits the stage — and a whole new world comes to life. That is the magic of theater, and it has been captivating people for thousands of years. The Theater merit badge invites you to step into that world, whether you want to perform under the lights, build the sets behind the scenes, or write the story that brings everyone together.

Theater is one of the few art forms where everything happens live, right in front of you. There are no second takes, no editing, no filters. It takes teamwork, creativity, and courage — qualities that make you a better Scout and a better person.

Then and Now

Then — The Birth of Drama

Theater began over 2,500 years ago in ancient Greece. It started as part of religious festivals honoring the god Dionysus, where choruses sang and danced to tell stories of gods and heroes. Around 534 BCE, an actor named Thespis stepped out of the chorus and spoke as a character — becoming the world’s first actor. (That is why actors are still called “thespians” today.)

The Greeks built massive open-air amphitheaters that could seat 15,000 people. Actors wore large masks to show emotion and project their voices. Greek playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides wrote tragedies and comedies that people still perform today.

• Roman theater adapted Greek traditions and added spectacle, including elaborate stage machinery
• Medieval mystery plays told Bible stories on wheeled carts that traveled from town to town
• Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (1599) brought drama to everyday Londoners standing in the open air

Now — Theater for Everyone

Today, theater is everywhere. Broadway in New York City is the heart of American professional theater, but community theaters, school auditoriums, and outdoor festivals bring live performance to every corner of the country. Modern technology has added incredible tools — computerized lighting, wireless microphones, digital projections — but the core experience remains the same: real people telling real stories to a live audience.

• Broadway produces large-scale musicals and plays seen by millions each year
• Community theater gives people of all ages and backgrounds a chance to perform
• School productions are often a Scout’s first introduction to the stage
• Immersive theater breaks the fourth wall and puts the audience inside the story

Get Ready! Whether you dream of standing in the spotlight, designing a dazzling set, or writing a story that moves people to tears, theater has a place for you. Every role matters — from the lead actor to the person running the sound board. Let’s raise the curtain and get started!

Kinds of Theater

Musical Theater

Musical theater combines acting, singing, and dancing to tell a story. From classics like The Sound of Music to modern hits like Hamilton, musicals use songs to express emotions and move the plot forward. If you love music and performance, this genre lets you do it all at once.

Dramatic Theater (Plays)

Plays rely on dialogue, action, and stagecraft to tell their stories — no singing required. Dramas can be serious (A Raisin in the Sun), comedic (The Importance of Being Earnest), or somewhere in between. This is the oldest form of theater, stretching back to those Greek amphitheaters.

Comedy and Improvisation

Comedy theater is built to make you laugh, from scripted farces to completely unscripted improv shows where performers make everything up on the spot based on audience suggestions. Improv builds quick thinking, teamwork, and confidence — skills that help far beyond the stage.

Community and School Theater

You do not need a professional stage to make great theater. Community theaters and school drama programs are where most people discover their love of performing. These productions bring neighbors and classmates together to create something special, and they welcome newcomers at every level of experience.

Experimental and Immersive Theater

Some theater breaks all the rules. Experimental theater might use unusual staging, audience participation, or non-traditional storytelling. Immersive theater puts the audience right inside the action — you might walk through rooms, follow characters, or even become part of the story yourself.