The Superstition: There is a superstition that if an emptied theater is ever left completely dark, a ghost will take up residence. In other versions of the same superstition the ghosts of past performances return to the stage to live out their glory moments. To prevent this, a single light is left burning at center stage after the audience and all of the actors and musicians have gone. The Origin: The origin of this superstition is rooted in both practicality and further superstition itself! The practicality, of course, is that people coming into a darkened theatre cannot see what delicate costumes, sharp and pointy props and dangerous set pieces have been left lying about, and a light is important to prevent injury, property damage or lawsuits. The other reason lends itself to further superstition. A "dark" theatre is a theatre without a play. There is nothing more sad to a drama artist than an empty house and a playless stage. Therefore, a light is left burning center stage so that the theatre is never "dark". It is simply awaiting the next production.