Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A chart or document listing what each character wears in each scene, used to track costume needs and changes.
A dedicated workspace in a theatre where costumes are designed, built, altered, and stored.
A designer or technician responsible for creating and managing costumes in theatrical productions.
To phrase or express something in a particular way; in classical theatre, may also refer to a piece of stage furniture.
Counterpoint is a musical technique where two or more independent melodies are combined and performed simultaneously. Each line maintains its own rhythm and contour, yet together they create harmonic richness and complexity. This interplay adds texture, depth, and dynamic contrast to a piece of music.
A violent overthrow of a government, often dramatized in political or revolutionary plays to explore power and resistance.
A courtesan was historically a high-class companion or mistress to wealthy, influential, or aristocratic men, often receiving financial security and social influence in exchange for her company. Unlike common prostitutes, courtesans moved within upper-class social circles and were valued for their intellect, culture, and discretion.
To deceive or trick; used in older dramatic works to describe manipulation or con artistry.
A Native North American people whose storytelling and rituals have influenced Indigenous theatrical performance in Canada.
Artificial hair made from wool or synthetic fiber, used in stage makeup to create facial hair and special effects.
A gradual increase in volume or intensity in music or dialogue, used to heighten dramatic effect.
A crisis is the turning point in a play when the central conflict reaches its highest tension and the characters are forced to make key decisions. It usually occurs just before the climax and shapes how the drama will be resolved. In dramatic structure, the crisis heightens stakes and reveals the true nature of the characters.