Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A fictional persona portrayed by an actor, constructed through background, traits, objectives, and transformation throughout the play.
An actor who specializes in portraying distinctive, often supporting roles.
The internal transformation of a character over the course of a play.
A character who contrasts with another, usually the protagonist, to highlight specific traits or themes.
A classification of roles based on shared traits, such as hero or villain.
A vocal technique used to reflect a character’s personality, age, or background, differing from the actor’s natural voice.
The development of a character’s personality through performance or writing.
The English monarch who restored the theatre in 1660 after Puritan suppression, supporting the emergence of Restoration drama.
A lively 1920s dance, featured in period musicals to convey the cultural exuberance of the Jazz Age.
A vocal register that resonates in the chest cavity, producing a fuller and lower sound, commonly used in speaking and belting.
The dramatic use of light and dark in design, common in lighting for mood and emphasis.
To scold or rebuke, frequently appearing in English Renaissance drama.