Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A performance environment shaped by design, architecture, and blocking, influencing actor-audience relationships.
A device that projects audio from microphones or recorded sources into the performance space. Placement and type affect sound quality.
Special effects in theatre are technical illusions designed to create extraordinary images or sounds on stage that go beyond everyday reality. These effects may include projections, lighting tricks, stage machinery, or soundscapes that make impossible actions—like a person passing through a wall or objects moving on their own—appear real to the audience. They are often used in supernatural or fantasy-themed productions to heighten the sense of wonder and bring the story’s magic to life.
Spectacle refers to the visual elements of a production that create wonder and excitement through design, movement, or scale. This might include elaborate costumes, dazzling choreography, special effects, or impressive sets. Spectacle often heightens the theatrical experience by leaving audiences with vivid visual impressions alongside the story and music.
Tape markings placed on stage to indicate where props, scenery, or actors should be positioned. Spiking helps maintain consistency in blocking and scene changes.
An adhesive used in theatrical makeup to attach facial hair, wigs, or prosthetics to an actor’s skin.
The side of the stage to the actor’s left when facing the audience. Used in blocking and technical planning.
Stage right refers to the area of the stage that is to an actor’s right when they are facing the audience. This directional term is used in blocking, choreography, and technical cues to guide movement and positioning. It is always given from the performer’s perspective, which means it is the opposite of the audience’s right.
A crew member responsible for moving scenery, props, and equipment during rehearsals and performances.
A makeup technique that uses dots to create texture or shading, often for aging effects or character realism.
A costume shop worker who sews garments based on designer specifications and patterns.
Makeup used to subtly enhance an actor’s natural features for visibility under stage lighting, without altering character appearance.