Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A character trait or theme representing dependence, often central in dramatic portrayals of struggle or recovery.
A character in their teenage years, often portrayed as navigating identity, rebellion, and emotional growth.
An anxiety disorder involving fear of open spaces or crowds, explored in theatre to depict psychological conflict.
Describes dialogue or situations open to multiple interpretations, used in symbolic and modern drama.
A theme in theatre representing hope, success, and its disillusionment, particularly in realist and symbolist plays.
A British movement of the 1950s featuring working-class protagonists rebelling against social norms.
Prejudice against Jewish people, explored in dramatic works to reveal social injustices and historical persecution.
An anti-hero is a central character who lacks traditional heroic qualities such as morality, bravery, or idealism. Often flawed and complex, anti-heroes appear frequently in modern drama and literature.
A mental institution used in theatre to examine societal treatment of mental illness and the boundaries of sanity.
A genre of drama based on real people’s lives, exploring their challenges, accomplishments, and inner conflicts.
Exhaustion caused by overwork or stress, frequently portrayed in contemporary drama to explore modern mental health issues.
A motor disability occasionally represented in realistic theatre to highlight lived experiences and challenge audience assumptions.