Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
An actor who specializes in portraying distinctive, often supporting roles.
A character arc is the journey of personal growth, change, or transformation that a character undergoes throughout a play or musical. It often involves overcoming internal or external obstacles, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself or others. Strong arcs help audiences connect emotionally with characters and give structure to the overall narrative.
A character foil is one whose traits contrast with another character, thereby highlighting qualities in both. In No, No, Nanette, Sue’s strict propriety serves as a foil to Nanette’s youthful desire for freedom, emphasizing the tension between tradition and independence. The use of foils helps dramatists reveal character differences without lengthy exposition.
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.
A Choral Ode is a sung or chanted section performed by a group of actors called the chorus, most commonly found in ancient Greek tragedy. These odes often appear between scenes to provide commentary, moral reflection, or to describe offstage events. In Carl Orff’s opera Antigonae, the chorus frequently delivers odes in a chant-like style, creating a ritualistic atmosphere that deepens the audience’s understanding of the story.