Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Japanese bamboo flute used in Noh and Kabuki theatre to enhance atmosphere and accentuate movement on stage.
A traditional Indonesian ensemble featuring gongs and metallophones, often accompanying dance and theatrical performance.
A period in 17th-century Japan known for flourishing Kabuki and Bunraku theatre during a time of cultural innovation.
An Irish phrase meaning 'forever,' often used in poetic or nostalgic contexts within theatre.
A historical movement of African Americans northward that shaped cultural and theatrical narratives in the 20th century.
West African storytellers and oral historians who preserve culture and history through performance, music, and theatre.
Grotesque refers to a style of theatre that blends the bizarre, distorted, or monstrous with comic or sympathetic elements. It often exaggerates physical or emotional traits to provoke both laughter and discomfort in audiences. In drama, the grotesque highlights the strange or unsettling while still revealing human vulnerability and truth.
A Korean string instrument played vertically, often accompanying traditional dance and theatre performances.
A walkway in Kabuki theatre used for dramatic entrances and exits, bringing actors closer to the audience.
The Jewish Festival of Lights, referenced in theatre to convey cultural heritage, identity, and tradition.
A central figure in Hindu mythology, Hanuman is often portrayed in traditional Indian theatre as a symbol of loyalty and strength.
A cultural movement of the 1920s and 30s celebrated in theatre for its artistic contributions and Black identity expression.