Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A regional style of Chinese opera originating from Hubei province, known for intense vocal delivery and dramatic stories.
The shifting of language or behavior depending on context, portrayed to highlight cultural identity and social dynamics.
A theme explored in postcolonial theatre, addressing oppression, cultural loss, and identity during and after colonization.
A Spanish Golden Age theatrical genre mixing tragedy and comedy, introduced by Lope de Vega, rejecting classical unities.
Corrales de comedias were open-air courtyard theatres popular in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries, especially during the Spanish Golden Age. They were typically rectangular spaces surrounded by buildings, with a stage at one end and galleries or balconies for the audience. These venues hosted plays, often mixing comedy, drama, and music, and were central to the era’s vibrant theatrical culture.
A Native North American people whose storytelling and rituals have influenced Indigenous theatrical performance in Canada.
The traditions, practices, and expressions of a culture that influence theatre, often preserved through performance.
A large bamboo flute used in Korean music and theatre, providing lyrical and ceremonial tones in traditional performances.
A pioneering Japanese Butoh dance troupe known for grotesque, physical theatre and explorations of the body’s extremes.
A traditional comedic female character in British pantomime, typically played by a man in exaggerated costume and makeup.
A term for female roles in traditional Chinese opera, historically performed by male actors with stylized movements and singing.
A foundational spiritual and storytelling concept in Indigenous Australian cultures, informing ritual and performance.