Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A specific strategy an actor uses to achieve a character’s objective in a scene, forming the basis of truthful, dynamic performance.
The speed or pace of music or dialogue in a scene, influencing dramatic tension, emotional rhythm, and audience engagement.
A male vocal range above baritone, commonly featured in opera and musical theatre for romantic or heroic lead characters.
Refers to Stanislavski’s acting method focusing on realism, emotional truth, and character motivation in performance.
The quality or color of a sound that distinguishes voices and instruments, crucial to vocal performance and design.
A musical notation indicating the number of beats in each measure and which note value receives the beat; essential in musical theatre.
The precise execution of actions or lines to achieve the desired comedic, dramatic, or rhythmic effect.
A sentimental ballad about unrequited love, often featured in musicals or cabaret performances.
Three-letter combination representing a single sound, used in dialect coaching and language-specific performance work.
A nasal vocal quality or accent, often used in acting to portray regional characters or comedic exaggeration.
A two-hander is a play performed by only two actors, with the entire story built around their relationship, dialogue, and interaction. This format often heightens dramatic tension, as the focus is entirely on the dynamics between the two characters. Two-handers are common in intimate theatre settings, where subtle shifts in power and emotion drive the performance.
A performance skill where the artist speaks without moving lips, giving voice to puppets or characters.