Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
In music, harmony occurs when two or more notes are sung or played at the same time, creating chords that enrich the sound. In musical theatre, harmony is often used in duets, trios, or ensemble numbers to heighten emotion and texture. It can reinforce unity, tension, or contrast between characters.
A vocal register higher than chest voice, often used for sustained, resonant notes in classical and musical theatre singing.
A musical and cultural movement that has influenced contemporary theatre, particularly in rhythm-driven musicals like Hamilton.
An “I Want Song” is a number, usually placed early in a musical, where a main character expresses their deepest desire or ambition. This song sets the character’s journey in motion and gives the audience a clear emotional stake in the story. It has become one of the most recognizable and enduring conventions of musical theatre structur
Spoken or performed without preparation. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
A performance technique in which dialogue and action are created spontaneously. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
In theatre and film, the ingénue is a stock character representing a young, innocent, and often naïve woman, typically portrayed with charm and vulnerability. She is usually cast as the romantic interest, embodying purity and youthful idealism in contrast to more worldly or complex characters. The role often highlights themes of coming-of-age, first love, and the challenges of navigating adult society.
The distance between two pitches, key to vocal technique and harmony in theatre music and operatic compositions.
Close emotional or physical relationships in theatre that require sensitivity and, often, choreography for safety.
The accuracy of pitch in speech or singing, crucial for both musical and dramatic performance clarity.
The controlled use of pitch and tone in speech, often used for dramatic or ritualistic effect. Intoning helps to set the mood or emphasize the importance of dialogue in performance and is often applied in classical or ceremonial theatre traditions.
An actor’s instinctive understanding of character or moment, developed through rehearsal and emotional intelligence.