I saw an article the other day (which I, admittedly, did not read) about the rise in popularity of the spelling "theatre" in the United States, as opposed to "theater." The British vs. the American, some might say. As one who grew up with the American spelling, I do feel a bit snobbish when I use the British spelling, but I think I have a proposed solution to this problem that will also make things clearer when using either spelling in written situations.
Theater, n. A venue in which pre-recorded entertainment is watched by a large audience, i.e. a movie theater.
Theatre, n. A venue in which live entertainment is watched by a large audience, i.e. an opera house or venue in which plays or musicals are performed.
Now, I put "large audience" in there to differentiate between an actual theatre and watching your friends do an improv skit at Thanksgiving dinner because let's face it, 1) that happens, and 2) your dining room is not a theatre. But this is not meant to imply that if a venue can seat 400 people and only six show up for a performance that the space is no longer a theatre (or theater). This is only meant to imply that the potential for a large audience is there and/or that the purpose for people going there is solely to watch entertainment. Or largely to watch entertainment. Some go to appease spouses and significant others in the hopes of future sexual favors with the theatrical performance being secondary to that. But I think you get the gist.
This differentiation also pays homage to the origins of both media - theatre existing long before the United States did, and movie theaters being so prevalent in the United States as Hollywood is still considered the be-all-end-all goal for many film actors even though movies of higher caliber are often produced elsewhere.
So what do you think? Theatre for live entertainment and theater for pre-recorded? Sound good?
Okay. Done.