Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A combination of musical notes played simultaneously, forming harmony.
The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.
A group of performers who comment on the action, originating in Ancient Greek theatre.
The clown character in Chinese opera, often comedic and satirical, distinguished by a painted white patch on the nose.
A musical style that uses notes outside the key to create tension and color.
A regional style of Chinese opera originating from Hubei province, known for intense vocal delivery and dramatic stories.
A satirical genre of the English Renaissance focusing on urban life and social behavior.
A recurring theme in historical drama, particularly reflecting internal conflict, loyalty, and national identity.
A symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate pitch of the notes; vital for vocal and instrumental music in theatre.
A modern global crisis increasingly represented in socially conscious theatre to challenge audiences and inspire action.
The moment of highest tension in a play, usually where the main conflict reaches a turning point.
Close harmony is a vocal style in which multiple singers perform notes that are very near to each other in pitch, creating a tight, blended sound. This technique produces a warm, unified tone that emphasizes balance and teamwork between voices. It is commonly heard in barbershop quartets, doo-wop groups, and 1950s pop ensembles like the fictional Plaids.