Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A collaborative form of theatre where the script is developed by the ensemble through improvisation and group input.
Deeply religious characters in plays often illustrate themes of faith, sacrifice, and conflict with secular norms.
A chronic illness referenced in contemporary plays to highlight health, inequality, or family issues.
A specific form of language tied to a region or group, used to reveal a character’s identity, background, or class.
Relating to a method of argument or reasoning, often applied in Epic Theatre to encourage audience critical thinking.
A form of theatre, pioneered by Brecht, designed to provoke thought and social critique through opposing ideas and arguments.
Spoken interaction between characters in a play, used to reveal relationships, advance plot, and convey emotion.
A character archetype representing absolute power, frequently featured in political or historical dramas.
The clarity and articulation of speech by an actor or singer, critical for conveying emotion and meaning on stage.
Describes theatre or literature intended to teach or instruct, often conveying moral or political messages to the audience.
A diegetic song is a musical number that exists within the world of the story, where the characters are aware they are singing. It is typically performed as part of the plot, such as at a concert, celebration, or personal expression witnessed by other characters. Unlike non-diegetic songs, it is justified within the narrative and functions as a natural extension of the character’s environment.
A pair of letters representing a single sound, often studied in scripts to assist with accurate pronunciation and articulation.