Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
The series of events following the climax, leading to the resolution of the plot.
A vocal register that allows singers to reach notes higher than their normal range, used for special effects or characterizations.
A musical composition with free form and structure, often incorporating multiple themes or variations.
To imagine unreal scenarios, often portrayed on stage through dreams, desires, or escapism.
Farce is a comedic style that emphasizes exaggerated situations, improbable coincidences, mistaken identities, and rapid pacing. It often includes physical humor such as slamming doors, frantic chases, or characters hiding in plain sight. Farce is designed to generate nonstop laughter, often prioritizing chaos and absurdity over realistic storytelling.
An old-fashioned term for a burden or bundle, famously used in Hamlet's 'to be or not to be' soliloquy.
A hoop skirt used in historical costuming to extend the width of a woman's dress, signifying wealth or nobility.
An authoritarian ideology explored in political theatre to critique power, oppression, and historical trauma.
A stylized performance technique where actors move in exaggerated speed to comedic or rhythmic effect.
Fate is the idea that the course of a person’s life is determined by powers beyond human control, such as destiny or the will of the gods. In many works of literature and drama, characters try to resist fate but remain powerless to escape it. This theme is central to ancient tragedies, where suffering often results from the inevitability of fate.
A Faustian bargain is a deal in which a person sacrifices moral integrity, values, or even their soul in exchange for power, knowledge, success, or another form of personal gain. The term comes from the German legend of Faust, who sold his soul to the devil for unlimited knowledge and pleasure. In theatre and literature, this concept often explores themes of temptation, ambition, and the consequences of greed. An example is Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, who agrees to feed Audrey II in exchange for fame and love.
A supporting role that plays a distinct part in the story, often with a solo line or moment.