Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Catharsis is the emotional release experienced by the audience at the conclusion of a tragedy or intense dramatic work. It allows viewers to purge feelings of fear, pity, or tension through the resolution of the play’s conflict. The concept dates back to Aristotle, who believed catharsis was central to the purpose of theatre.
A narrow elevated platform above a stage for accessing lighting and rigging equipment.
The central part of the stage, often a focal point in blocking and choreography.
A motor disability occasionally represented in realistic theatre to highlight lived experiences and challenge audience assumptions.
A short-term training course in theatre or performance without conferring a degree.
A character role or narrator figure in Victorian or British theatre traditions, especially music hall or melodrama.
A chamber musical is a small-scale stage production with a limited cast and orchestra, often designed for intimate venues. The emphasis is typically on character, dialogue, and relationships rather than spectacle or large ensemble numbers. Its reduced scale allows for flexibility in staging and lower production demands.
A chamber opera is a small-scale opera typically written for a modest cast and reduced instrumental ensemble, designed for performance in intimate venues rather than large opera houses. These works often emphasize clarity of text, intimacy of storytelling, and flexibility of staging. Because of their size, chamber operas are especially popular with universities, regional companies, and groups exploring contemporary or experimental repertoire.
A child believed to be swapped by fairies; in drama, symbolizes identity and transformation.
An individual control path for a lighting fixture in a lighting console.
A distinct audio path used to isolate and control a sound source.
A fictional persona portrayed by an actor, constructed through background, traits, objectives, and transformation throughout the play.