Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A cognitive disorder explored in drama to address memory loss, identity, and the human experience of aging.
A political identity occasionally explored in American drama to depict partisanship, policy conflict, or civic ideals.
The final resolution of a play's plot, following the climax.
Formal, sworn statements of evidence or testimony taken outside of a court, usually in writing, for use in a legal proceeding.
A mental health condition portrayed in theatre to explore emotional depth, realism, and character struggle.
A deus ex machina (Latin for “god from the machine”) is a dramatic device where an unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly resolved by an unexpected, often supernatural, intervention. The term comes from ancient Greek theatre, where a god was physically lowered onto the stage by a crane (machina) to provide a solution or restore order. Today, it is often used to describe plot resolutions that feel abrupt or rely on forces outside the story’s established logic.
A collaborative form of theatre where the script is developed by the ensemble through improvisation and group input.
Deeply religious characters in plays often illustrate themes of faith, sacrifice, and conflict with secular norms.
A chronic illness referenced in contemporary plays to highlight health, inequality, or family issues.
A specific form of language tied to a region or group, used to reveal a character’s identity, background, or class.
Relating to a method of argument or reasoning, often applied in Epic Theatre to encourage audience critical thinking.
A form of theatre, pioneered by Brecht, designed to provoke thought and social critique through opposing ideas and arguments.