Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
An actor who specializes in portraying distinctive, often supporting roles.
A character arc is the journey of personal growth, change, or transformation that a character undergoes throughout a play or musical. It often involves overcoming internal or external obstacles, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself or others. Strong arcs help audiences connect emotionally with characters and give structure to the overall narrative.
A classification of roles based on shared traits, such as hero or villain.
A vocal technique used to reflect a character’s personality, age, or background, differing from the actor’s natural voice.
The development of a character’s personality through performance or writing.
A lively 1920s dance, featured in period musicals to convey the cultural exuberance of the Jazz Age.
A vocal register that resonates in the chest cavity, producing a fuller and lower sound, commonly used in speaking and belting.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate pitch of the notes; vital for vocal and instrumental music in theatre.
Close harmony is a vocal style in which multiple singers perform notes that are very near to each other in pitch, creating a tight, blended sound. This technique produces a warm, unified tone that emphasizes balance and teamwork between voices. It is commonly heard in barbershop quartets, doo-wop groups, and 1950s pop ensembles like the fictional Plaids.
An audition technique where actors read a script with little to no rehearsal, showcasing improvisational and interpretive skills.
In dance or musical theatre, a sequence of choreographed steps taught and performed as a unit.