treading the boards
Working in theater
Treading the boards means performing on stage as an actor.
The boards refer to the wooden planks that traditionally made up theater stage floors, so to tread them is to walk across them while acting.
The phrase carries a sense of theatrical tradition and often implies professional or serious stage work rather than casual performance.
She's been treading the boards since her twenties.
Someone who has trod the boards has theater experience.
- actingTemporarily holding position
- stage frightFear of performing publicly
- playRecreation or staged drama
- dramaTheatrical art or turmoil
- actorOne who portrays characters
thespian · leading role · bit part · stage · audition · drama school · playhouse · opening night · break a leg · theatre · performance · standing ovation · take a bow · rehearsal · dress rehearsal · blocking · Greek chorus · understudy