Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
The study of religion and divine themes, explored in plays to question belief, doctrine, and spiritual struggle.
A scholar who develops ideas and frameworks for understanding and interpreting dramatic literature or performance.
Darwin’s theory profoundly influenced Naturalist theatre by encouraging focus on heredity and environment in drama.
An archaic possessive pronoun equivalent to 'yours,' frequently used in poetic and Renaissance theatre.
An old English word meaning 'to that place,' often found in early modern plays to indicate direction or travel.
The demon king in Thai Ramakien plays, a counterpart to Ravana in Indian mythology, often portrayed with grandeur and menace.
An informal second-person pronoun used in Shakespearean and early English theatre, equivalent to modern 'you.'
A neoclassical principle dictating unity of time, place, and action, influencing dramatic structure in theatre history.
The moment in a play when a character or audience gains a crucial realization, often a turning point in the narrative.
A through-sung musical is one where the story is told almost entirely through continuous music instead of spoken dialogue. Songs and recurring melodies connect seamlessly to carry the narrative, giving the show a heightened and operatic feel. This structure makes the emotions of the characters more immediate and helps the audience stay immersed in the musical world.
A performance space that extends into the audience on three sides, encouraging intimacy and dynamic staging.
A French avant-garde theatre in Paris that staged Symbolist and experimental plays during the late 19th century.