Theatertheatre

Theatertheatre is a term that appears infrequently in scholarly or arts writing and does not denote a single widely recognized entity. More often, it is encountered as a stylized compound or branding element that combines the noun theatre with itself, either to emphasize the domain of performing arts or to signal a meta or self-referential approach to theatre.

Possible meanings include several overlapping senses. As a proper name, it may designate a theatre company or a venue, particularly in experimental or contemporary performance contexts, where the name suggests a focus on theatre as both concept and space. As a conceptual descriptor, the term can describe productions or spaces that foreground theatre itself—its conventions, artifacts, or processes—making the audience aware of the artificiality or mechanics of performance. In architectural or programming terms, it could describe a venue that houses multiple theatres or stages, offering a multiplicity of theatrical forms under one umbrella.

Note that the term is not standardized. Writers may instead use related concepts such as metatheatre, self-reflexive theatre, or theatre complex to convey similar ideas. Spelling variants (theatre vs theater) reflect regional norms and branding choices. Theatertheatre, when used, typically signals an interest in examining or showcasing theatre as a performative act, rather than describing a single established institution. See also metatheatre; theatre architecture; performance studies.