Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
The sound created during a stage combat slap or hit to simulate contact, typically produced safely by an actor’s own body or clothing.
A servant or deceitful man, often used in Shakespearean plays as a term of insult or social rank. This archetype is common in comedic and villainous roles in English Renaissance drama, revealing class tensions and dramatic contrasts.
Stage assistants in Kabuki theatre who are often dressed in black and support scene changes or assist actors during the performance.
A small, handheld drum used in Noh and Kabuki theatre, played on the shoulder to accompany music and emphasize movement.
A ceremonial dagger from Southeast Asia featured in traditional theatre, symbolizing spiritual power or conflict.
An elegant, classical form of Chinese opera known for refined movement, poetic text, and musical beauty, dating back to the Ming Dynasty.
A Japanese comic theatre form performed as interludes between Noh plays, often satirical and based on everyday life.
A political party featured in British theatre to represent working-class struggles, socialism, and reform.
The light source inside a stage lighting fixture, critical to theatrical illumination. Lamps vary by intensity and color temperature, and their maintenance is essential for consistent lighting quality throughout a production.
The language of ancient Rome, used in early liturgical drama and by scholars during the Renaissance and Medieval theatre periods.
A gender-neutral term for people of Latin American heritage, represented in modern theatre to promote inclusion and diversity.
A small wireless microphone that clips onto an actor’s clothing, allowing hands-free amplification during performance. Lavalier mics are widely used in musicals and modern plays for their discreet appearance and reliable sound capture, especially in dynamic scenes with movement.