Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
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 narrative genre focusing on growth and maturation, often used in drama to explore identity and self-discovery.
An old term for tuberculosis, frequently referenced in period dramas to evoke suffering, mortality, or isolation.
A religious community of women, frequently featured in plays dealing with themes of faith, discipline, or restricted freedom.
A behavioral strategy characters use to deal with stress or trauma, commonly explored in modern psychological drama.
Legal guardianship over a child or dependent, often used in family dramas to depict emotional or moral conflict.
A cultural region of the United States often explored in theatre for its historical legacies of race, class, and tradition.
A cognitive disorder explored in drama to address memory loss, identity, and the human experience of aging.
A mental health condition portrayed in theatre to explore emotional depth, realism, and character struggle.
A chronic illness referenced in contemporary plays to highlight health, inequality, or family issues.
A play set in a domestic space, often used for social commentary, manners, and restrained emotional tension.
The loss of traditional masculinity, often a theme in plays exploring power, identity, and societal roles.