Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A full performance run-through with costumes, props, lights, and sound, conducted as if it were a live show.
A backstage crew member responsible for helping actors change costumes quickly and maintaining wardrobe items during performances.
A private or shared backstage space where actors prepare for a performance.
A storytelling structure in which a narrative unfolds across two distinct time periods, often weaving together past and present to reveal connections, contrasts, or hidden truths. This technique allows audiences to see how earlier events influence later outcomes, deepening themes of cause and effect. It also creates dramatic tension by gradually disclosing information across parallel storylines
A formal combat between two characters, often used in theatre to heighten stakes and illustrate honor or revenge.
A nobleman character used in historical or Shakespearean drama to represent power, lineage, or court politics.
A prominent 17th-century English theatre company patronized by the Duke of York, featuring actors like Thomas Betterton.
A duologue is a scene or short play written for two characters, focusing on their interaction, conflict, or relationship. It emphasizes intimacy, allowing performers to explore dialogue-driven tension and emotional exchange. Duologues are often used in acting classes, auditions, and minimalist theatre pieces.
A type of microphone commonly used in live performances due to its durability and resistance to high sound pressure.
The variations in loudness and softness in speech or music, often used to convey emotion.
A period of rule by a family or lineage, often referenced in historical drama to explore succession, power, and legacy.
A dramatic setting depicting a repressive future society, used to explore political and philosophical themes.