Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
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.
The sense of resolution or completion at the end of a theatrical work, often tied to the audience’s emotional satisfaction.
A thick white makeup used for clowning and stylized theatrical characters.
A shoemaker; used in comedic roles in English Renaissance theatre, such as in Shakespeare's plays.
A traditional London dialect spoken by working-class people, especially in the East End, characterized by unique phonology (like vowel shifts and the dropped 'h' sound), specific grammar, and most notably, Cockney Rhyming Slang. A "true" Cockney is often defined by their birth within the sound of the Bow Bells of St Mary-le-Bow church, making it a strong cultural and social identifier.
A concluding musical section that brings a composition or scene to a close.
The shifting of language or behavior depending on context, portrayed to highlight cultural identity and social dynamics.
An audition technique where actors read a script with little to no rehearsal, showcasing improvisational and interpretive skills.
A period of political tension between the US and USSR, dramatized in theatre to reflect fear, ideology, and espionage.
An Italian term instructing the accompanist to follow the soloist’s tempo closely, common in expressive musical theatre.
A style of operatic soprano singing marked by elaborate ornamentation and agile vocal technique.