Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A costume team member responsible for translating designs into patterns and fabric cuts for garment construction.
A large, usually white, curtain that is lit to create setting and masks the back of the stage behind the set.
“from the head”; an aria in which the first part is repeated, the singer being expected to add ornamentation in the repeated section.
An early 20th-century avant-garde movement rejecting logic and embracing absurdity, influencing experimental theatre.
A large bamboo flute used in Korean music and theatre, providing lyrical and ceremonial tones in traditional performances.
A pioneering Japanese Butoh dance troupe known for grotesque, physical theatre and explorations of the body’s extremes.
A traditional comedic female character in British pantomime, typically played by a man in exaggerated costume and makeup.
A term for female roles in traditional Chinese opera, historically performed by male actors with stylized movements and singing.
A dance narrative is a form of storytelling that relies on movement rather than spoken dialogue or written text. Choreography conveys character, emotion, and plot, allowing audiences to understand the story through physical expression. This technique is common in dance-focused theatre, ballets, and movement-based productions.
A flamboyantly dressed male character obsessed with fashion and refinement, often used for satire in English Renaissance drama.
A genre that combines elements of humor and morbidity, exploring serious themes through satire or irony.
Digital Audio Workstation, software used for recording, editing, and producing audio.