I have always been annoyed by the endless drama of theatre romances, so I vowed never to date anyone in the theatre. Never say never!  I recently started dating our stage manager. We were both concerned about staying professional at the theatre since he's SM and I'm in the cast and on the board of directors.

When we're in rehearsals, we both focus on our jobs and don't interact unless necessary. I figure we've done well keeping our personal lives out of the theatre when we have both been asked if we are arguing. Inevitably, people assume that since we are dating and aren't all over each other we must be fighting. I guess drama can be found even where there is none!

Been here before. 

SHOWMANCE...I've seen it a hundred times, and always laughed at it.  But still been involved in a couple of tryst.  The important thing to remember is discretion at all cost, because "THEY" all gossip. "THEY" do that.  My favorite is when "THEY" make an issue out of a nothing situation and create more drama then there is on stage.

My personal feelings are to avoid romances with co-stars.  A lead dating a chorus member is much less a risk than two co-stars, and I have had several relationships in this vein.  I actually prefer it since I generally can stand my leading ladies, or at least their personalities.  It is the same reason why I request not being in a "STAR" dressing room.  We are here to work as an ensemble and learn from each other, not be on a higher level than our peers.

As for the romance, just keep it out of the theater.  What goes on when you leave is your business, and no one else.  The lasting relationships that began in the theater are generally the ones that no one knew about until after the show has closed.  That is just my two-cents...take it or leave it.

By the way...my current friend and I have been together for 5 months, and while "THEY" suspect, most have only suspicion since we keep our relationship private between the two of us.

Another theatre marriage here!  My husband (Juror#3) and I met while doing "Two by Two" - he was Ham (no, that's the character's name) and I was playing Goldie.  The two characters ended up marrying each other....and so did we!

We have played opposite each other several times since, both as romantic couples ("Sisters Rosensweig" - Sara and Merv - and "Moon Over Buffalo" - George and Charlotte Hay) and brother and sister ("Harvey" - Veta Louise and Elwood - and "Lost in Yonkers" - Bella and Eddie) and have thoroughly enjoyed doing so. 

HOWEVER.....he and I have directed each other several times and have had disagreements, but those spats stay in the theatre when we leave.  I guess you could call them "artistic differences".  BUT we never carry them home with us.

It's inevitable - showmances. For several weeks to several months you ARE "family", spending nearly every evening together. Having fun, working together, and it creates a bond. It's fine if you are single and can manage the new relationship without it causing distractions or any back stage drama. Unfortunately, I've seen showmances that were "the straw that broke the camel's back" of several weak marriages. It would seem that people can't tell the different between acting and real life. I had a very good friend look me in the eye and tell me that her on stage husband and family were everything that her off stage husband and family could never be. She was comparing her life to a written script! Talk about getting into character.  30 years of marriage down the tubes. Worse thing is there is nothing anyone can do about it. It happens too often.