Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A working-class character on a ranch, used in Western or realist theatre to explore labor, masculinity, and independence.
A metaphor or literal device used in plays to symbolize entrapment, commonly seen in psychological or symbolic dramas.
A theatrical movement that strives to depict everyday life and authentic behavior on stage. It often focuses on domestic settings and psychological depth.
A philosophical underpinning of Naturalism in theatre, asserting that behavior is shaped by heredity and environment.
A regional British dialect associated with Liverpool, often used in theatre to convey authenticity or working-class identity.
Segregation refers to the enforced separation of people in daily life, often based on race, class, or ethnicity. In the United States, racial segregation was a defining feature of society in the early to mid-20th century, affecting schools, businesses, entertainment venues, and public spaces. On stage, segregation serves as a backdrop for stories of injustice, resilience, and the struggle for equality.
Practices for mental and physical well-being, increasingly referenced in modern drama about identity and resilience.
A psychological condition depicted in modern plays to explore vulnerability, alienation, and mental health.
A dramatic style set in the American South, focusing on decay, eccentricity, and moral failures, often using symbolism and grotesque characters.
A legal time limit to press charges, thematically used in drama to explore justice, memory, and accountability.
Subtext refers to the unspoken thoughts, emotions, or intentions that lie beneath a character’s dialogue or actions. It provides depth and complexity to performances, allowing audiences to sense hidden conflicts or desires. Directors and actors often rely on subtext to create nuance and tension in storytelling.
A dramatic style focused on dreamlike imagery and illogical scenes to explore the subconscious or challenge realism.