Accomplished ballet dancers make their graceful feats look effortless. Of course, that means we don't notice the hard work that make them look easy -- or the terms to match those moves. Want to learn the meanings of those fancy French words? See more »

In only 20 years, Cirque du Soleil has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry. It has spread to cities all over the globe and earned rave reviews every step of the way. Go behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil and learn the secrets of its success. See more »

You've probably seen them at Halloween parties, dance clubs and stage productions. How does a machine generate thick amounts of fog, and is it safe to breathe? See more »

Improv Everywhere is many things: A stage for the stageless; a script for struggling actors who have yet to take Broadway by storm; an attempt to get New Yorkers to remove their earbuds -- which is not as easy as it might seem. See more »

The staff here at HowStuffWorks started thinking about what might happen when musicals mesh with science fiction and fantasy. Find out what we discovered about the real and the more theoretical sci-fi musicals. See more »

Your favorite plays go off without a hitch because of a hard-working stage manager. Read this article to learn more about the responsibilities of a stage manager. See more »

For the past 70 years, the American Ballet Theatre has brought the best in dance theater to people around the world. What's the storied (and sometimes stormy) history of the ABT? See more »

The Metropolitan Opera was established more than 100 years ago and hosts more than 200 performances each season. Find out how the Met got its start, and how technology has kept the performing arts alive. See more »

It's not the oldest professional musical organization in America, or the largest, or even the first symphony orchestra to be based in the nation's capital. But the National Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of America's orchestral composing and performing arts scene. See more »

Surely this is some sort of stereotypical uber-nerd who decided to take his obsession on the road. Not quite -- the creator of "One Man Star Wars" is well-versed in both acting and directing. But can a Star Wars fan go too far? See more »