Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
To run away secretly to get married; often a plot device in Romantic and English Renaissance plays.
A mythological paradise used in drama to symbolize peace after death, as in Tennessee Williams' 'A Streetcar Named Desire'.
The loss of traditional masculinity, often a theme in plays exploring power, identity, and societal roles.
A parent whose children have moved out, often a theme in contemporary plays exploring identity and life transitions.
A casting convention where a performer plays a role of the opposite gender, especially common in opera and classical theatre.
An additional performance or musical number requested by the audience after the conclusion of a show.
A cultural and intellectual movement in England from the late 15th to the early 17th century, characterized by a flourishing of literary and musical arts, particularly during the Elizabethan era.
Describes a mysterious or puzzling character or moment, often used to provoke thought in symbolic or avant-garde theatre.
A group of performers who function as a unit in a production rather than as individuals with leading roles.
A member of the ensemble with a named or minor speaking role within a larger group.
Music or a scene presented between the acts of a play or opera.
Short, comedic Spanish interludes performed between acts during the Golden Age, often satirical or farcical in nature.