Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Wordplay is the clever and imaginative use of language to create humor, double meanings, or unexpected associations. It often involves puns, alliteration, rhymes, or twists in phrasing that reveal wit and verbal dexterity. In theatre, wordplay enhances dialogue and lyrics by adding layers of meaning, rhythm, and entertainment value.
A developmental process for a theatrical work involving readings, rehearsals, and informal performances to refine material.
A program allowing students to earn financial aid through campus employment, including theatre production jobs.
A global conflict (1914–1918) often dramatized in plays to explore trauma, nationalism, loss, and societal transformation.
A global conflict often explored in theatre through themes of resistance, loss, trauma, and moral complexity.
The millennium computer bug scare, sometimes used in plays to highlight societal anxiety around technology and the future.
A historical figure referenced in passion plays like Ta'zieh, a form of religious drama in Islamic theatre traditions.
An affirmative word meaning 'yes,' commonly used in early English drama and formal or poetic theatrical dialogue.
A fundamental principle in improvisational theatre where performers accept offers and build upon them to advance the scene.
A High German-derived language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews, used in a unique tradition of Jewish theatre.
A region in northern England with a strong theatre tradition and dialect often used to signify working-class or regional identity.
A Chinese dynasty (1271–1368) notable for the rise of zaju theatre, blending music, poetry, and dramatic storytelling.