troupe

A troupe is a group of performers who work together to stage productions. The term is most commonly used of theatre, but it also applies to dance, circus, and other performing arts ensembles. A troupe typically includes actors or dancers as core members, with additional artists and technicians as needed. It can be a resident company attached to a theatre or venue, or a traveling or itinerant group that performs across multiple locations.

Origin and usage: The word troupe entered English from French troupe, meaning a line or company. In early modern Europe, it referred to a group of players who toured or were attached to a patron or theatre. Throughout the 16th to 19th centuries, acting troupes such as the Lord Chamberlain's Men or the King's Men operated as ensembles with shared repertoire and personnel.

In theatre, a troupe commonly has an ongoing repertoire, regular rehearsal periods, and a sequence of productions. It may be led by a director or manager and include designers, stage management, and technical staff who coordinate to stage performances. Modern troupes range from nonprofit resident ensembles to commercial touring companies, sometimes collaborating with guest artists and freelance performers.

In other arts, a dance troupe is a company of dancers performing a choreographed program; a circus troupe comprises multiple performers skilled in acts such as acrobatics, aerial work, and clowning. The term emphasizes collective identity, shared repertoire, and a collaborative workflow.