Word for an acting troupe

[CTRandall]

Here are some ideas that aren't necessarily historical or exact references to groups of performers:

Revelers--this could be the name of a specific group or a generic term for a wide range of performers

Theatrics/theatricians (that sounds like a technical term from a sci-fi dystopia ruled by our AI overlords)

Tivoli--place name (for several different places) but I like it as an answer for the question, "What do you call a herd of actors? A tivoli!"

Vaude-villains--this is obviously for a very bad variety act. And I mean bad in the most deliclous sense of the word.

Fantasists--probably too loaded with modern meanings

 

[sknox]

I think I'd stay away from "Men" because I intend for the troupe to have at least one female. But "The Company of X" is viable.

 

[sknox]

Thanks, CTRandall, for the suggestions. I rather like the made-up word theatricians, but I don't want the name to imply stage plays too clearly, given the acrobats, magicians, etc. in the troupe. I sure wish I could call them troupers. *sigh*

 

[Danny McG]

I've used "The Men Of The X" to represent a group of touring actors, the X being the name of their theatre, home town or whatever they consider important.

I like that!
You could shorten it to X-Men

 

[Brian G Turner]

I went for the term jongleurs, though I've also seen mummers used.

As mentioned above, there's also the naming of theatrical troupes, which is something I've also used. The format I believe I took from mediaeval Italy, and that was to call it a "chapter" preceded by the the sponsoring family's name, ie "Angelleri Chapter".

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Apparently in ancient Greece, a group of actors was known as 'hypocrites'

What is a group of actors who work together? - Answers

Guild (referring to trade associations like Actors' Equity) Cast (referring to the group of actors assembled for a single production) Troupe or company (a relatively stable group of actors which put on a variety of productions) Stable (a group of actors under contract to a film studio--not...

www.answers.com

or hupokrites

ὑποκριτής - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

en.wiktionary.org

 

[sknox]

Hmm. Naming them after an ancient Greek (or Greek god) might be an angle. After all, in Altearth, Roman polytheism still rules, among humans. And playing off the hypocrite term, Crito would be a good candidate, especially since the dialogue involving him has to do with justice.

Into the stir-pot it goes!

 

[tinkerdan]

a bit more on trouvere

Trouvère - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

French once more.

Trouvère | Medieval French Poetry & Song

Trouvère, any of a school of poets that flourished in northern France from the 11th to the 14th century. The trouvère was the counterpart in the language of northern France (the langue d’oïl) to the Provençal troubadour (q.v.), from whom the trouvères derived their highly stylized themes and

www.britannica.com

Troubadours and Trouvères

"Troubadours and Trouvères" published on by null.

www.oxfordbibliographies.com

something marginally related of interest

Medieval theatre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Troubadour - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Oh and then there are they Travellers

Scottish Romani and Traveller groups - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I have a particular interest in the Tinkers.

 

[sknox]

Thanks for the references @tinkerdan. I used Travellers in one of my novels--called 'em wagoneers, but they were also called routiers. I actually used a Catalan trobador in the same story.

Still working on a name for the company. Guiltily, because it's a back-burner story and I really ought to be writing about Frederick, the Wonder of the World.

 

[Jarshen]

There are quite a few names of different types of troupes in Augustia de Rojas El viaje Entretenido about the golden age in Spain, some of these might inspire, Gangarilla, often 2 men and a boy to play the women, Cambaleo, a female singer supported by a few men, Garnacha compnay, women and men, Bojiganga, closer to a commedia troupe, and Farandula, which seemed to specialise in big religious spectacles. Hope this helps.

 

[Vladd67]

How about The GleoDreamers from the Anglo Saxon.

GLÉO-DREÁM

Dreám meant “joy” or “pleasure” in Old English (so not “dream,” which was swefen). Gléo-dreám literally means “glee-joy,” but it specifically referred to the feeling of pleasure that comes from listening to music. The sound of a musical instrument, incidentally, was sometimes called orgel-dreám (literally “pride-pleasure”), while the art of ability to play an instrument was dreámcræft.

 

[sknox]

Thanks, guys. I especially go for those terms that are culture-specific. Garnacha and Farandula are excellent names. Even if I don't use them as part of the company's name, they would make a good personal name! Going into my names cache.

 

[Margaret Note Spelling]

Have you come across "thespian" yet? It does seem a bit closer in definition to "actor" than what I think you're looking for, but maybe it deserves a mention.

Cheers.

 

[sknox]

Thanks. I considered that one. I might use Thespis himself. The Company of Thespis or some such. "Thespian" sounds a bit formal to my ear.