An actor or actress; a professional performer in plays or theater.
From Thespis, a legendary ancient Greek poet who is considered the founder of Greek drama and tragedy around 535 BCE. The -ian suffix creates the noun meaning 'a follower of Thespis' or 'a dramatic performer.'
Thespis was probably a real person who added dialogue to Greek choral performances around 2,500 years ago, essentially inventing acting—and we still use his name every time we talk about theater!
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