Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A smaller category within a genre that has specific traits or themes, such as romantic comedy or musical parody.
A character of lesser rank or status, used to highlight power dynamics and conflict in drama.
A character who plays a secondary but important role in the story, helping develop the main plot or protagonist.
A 20th-century artistic movement that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, often manifesting in dreamlike or illogical theatrical elements.
An object, character, or element used in a play to represent a deeper meaning or theme beyond its literal definition.
A script written for television production, often sharing structural elements with stage plays while adapted for screen media.
A dramatic movement featuring illogical dialogue, cyclical plots, and existential themes, reflecting the absurdity of human existence.
The central idea or message explored in a theatrical work, often reflecting universal concepts such as love, power, or identity.
The study of religion and divine themes, explored in plays to question belief, doctrine, and spiritual struggle.
A scholar who develops ideas and frameworks for understanding and interpreting dramatic literature or performance.
A neoclassical principle dictating unity of time, place, and action, influencing dramatic structure in theatre history.
The moment in a play when a character or audience gains a crucial realization, often a turning point in the narrative.