Any copy editors out there?

[Sillygirl]

I'm writing an article about a community theater group, named (for example) The Candyland Theatre. They use the British spelling of "theatre." In the text of the article, I also talk about the physical space, seating arrangements, what have you. So I sometimes mention the "theater" but not referring to the company. Should I conform to American spelling there? That's what other articles in the same publication use.

Normally I guess I would ask the editor in chief, but there isn't one. Well, there is, but it's me, so clearly that's no help.

[babystuffbuff]

So I sometimes mention the "theater" but not referring to the company. Should I conform to American spelling there?

Yes, the American spelling should be used unless you are referring to the name of the company, in which case you would put the British spelling, capitalized, since that is the group's name.

Hope that helps!

[PAfirsttimemom]

Yes, the American spelling should be used unless you are referring to the name of the company, in which case you would put the British spelling, capitalized, since that is the group's name.

Hope that helps!

I agree with this, especially since you say that "theater" is the spelling used elsewhere in the publication. Consistency is key in copyediting. :-)

[Sillygirl]

Right! It just bugs me to have two different spellings in the same article, but it seems there will have to be inconsistency somewhere.

Antoher question - is backmost a word? Trying to talk about the seats farthest from the theater, in the least amount of words possible.

[PAfirsttimemom]

I would use "farthermost."

[momof2girls]

Theater and why not just use Farthest?

[octmom]

I'd say rear seats.

[citymama]

Yes, the American spelling should be used unless you are referring to the name of the company, in which case you would put the British spelling, capitalized, since that is the group's name.

Hope that helps!

I agree with this. And I would use "seats at the rear of the theater" or furthest from the stage as a way to describe the seats at the back!

[wellyes]

I believe 'farthest row' or 'rear seats' is the convention used most often when referring to distance from a theater stage.