Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A late 19th-century era marked by wealth and social inequality, often depicted in theatre for its decadence and class tension.
The conditions in which a character exists, including time, place, and situation. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
The iconic London theatre associated with Shakespeare, where many of his plays premiered in the late 1500s and early 1600s.
An Irish phrase meaning 'forever,' often used in poetic or nostalgic contexts within theatre.
What a character strives to achieve during a scene or play, driving their actions and defining their arc.
Metal or glass stencils inserted into lighting instruments to project shapes or patterns. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
An old oath meaning 'God's little body'; used in Shakespearean plays for emphasis or comic effect. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
The “Golden Age Musical” refers to Broadway shows written roughly between the 1940s and 1960s, a period known for integrating songs, story, and character development. These musicals often balanced romance, comedy, and social themes with memorable melodies and large ensembles. Classics from this era continue to shape the foundation of modern musical theatre.
A style of Christian music with deep emotional and spiritual roots, featured in theatre to uplift or ground cultural identity.
Idle talk that fuels character dynamics and conflict, particularly in comedies and societal plays.
An acting method acronym standing for Goal, Obstacle, Tactics, and Expectations. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.