Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Aesthetics refers to the set of principles that guide the creation and appreciation of beauty, particularly in the arts. In theatre, it encompasses visual style, emotional resonance, and philosophical ideas that shape the production's overall look and feel.
A historical event frequently dramatized in plays and musicals that explore national identity, liberty, and rebellion.
A highly ornate and elaborate artistic style prominent in 17th-century European art and theatre.
A theatrical genre mixing parody, music, and often sensuality, originating in the 19th century as satirical entertainment.
A character role or narrator figure in Victorian or British theatre traditions, especially music hall or melodrama.
The 1787 meeting to draft the U.S. Constitution, sometimes referenced in historical drama to explore democratic ideals.
A major historical event that provides a backdrop for political and period drama focusing on upheaval and transformation.
Refers to the period of British history under Kings George I–IV; Georgian theatre saw the rise of sentimental comedy and opera.
A late 19th-century era marked by wealth and social inequality, often depicted in theatre for its decadence and class tension.
A historic economic crisis dramatized in plays to explore poverty, resilience, and social upheaval.
A member of the Catholic order known for educational theatre and morality plays during the Counter-Reformation.
A failed 1832 uprising in Paris that inspired the setting and themes of the musical Les Misérables.