Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A pattern of rhyming sounds in poetry or lyrics, commonly used in verse drama, musicals, and Shakespearean plays.
The series of events in a dramatic plot that build tension and complications, leading toward the climax of the story.
A novel or play in which real people appear with altered names, often critiquing society through veiled representation.
A running gag is a comedic device where a particular joke, situation, or character trait is repeated several times throughout a performance. Each recurrence builds familiarity, so the humor often increases as the audience begins to anticipate the repetition. For example, a character might always trip when entering a room or constantly forget names, creating laughter through expectation and variation.
The interplay of pleasure and pain, sometimes explored in avant-garde or psychological drama to challenge social norms.
Satire is a dramatic style that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior, social institutions, or political systems. In theatre, it highlights flaws and hypocrisies through wit and parody, encouraging audiences to laugh while also reflecting on serious issues. Satire can range from lighthearted comedy to biting social commentary, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
A mindset where one feels compelled to 'rescue' others, portrayed in drama to reveal ego, guilt, or flawed altruism.
A character who takes the blame for others, often central to tragic or moral narratives in drama.
A subdivision of a play or opera defined by continuous action in one setting. Scenes help organize dramatic structure and transitions, often marked by changes in characters or locations.
The written text of a play, including dialogue, stage directions, and scene structure. The script is the blueprint for performance.
A follow-up work that continues the narrative or themes of an earlier play or musical.