Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Describes a character whose name is the title of the play or musical, central to the narrative’s identity.
An archaic word meaning 'before,' commonly found in English Renaissance and Shakespearean texts.
Escapism in theatre refers to works designed to provide audiences with relief from the difficulties of everyday life. These productions emphasize lighthearted entertainment, often featuring comedy, romance, or lavish spectacle rather than serious social critique. Musicals like No, No, Nanette exemplify escapism by offering carefree fun and joyful music during the turbulent 1920s and again in the nostalgic 1970s revival.
Refers to content that is obscure or difficult to understand, often found in avant-garde or symbolic theatre.
A constructed international auxiliary language sometimes used in experimental theatre to promote unity or critique nationalism.
The core nature or indispensable quality of a character or performance element.
The customary code of polite behavior in a theatre setting, both onstage and off.
A speech or written tribute delivered in memory of someone, often dramatized in theatre to explore themes of grief and legacy.
A comedic technique in physical theatre where a character reacts with excessive effort to minor obstacles.
A stylistic device in acting or design that emphasizes traits or actions beyond realism for comic or emotional effect.
A stage direction indicating that two or more characters leave the stage.
A theme in drama where characters are banished from home or society, used to explore loss, identity, and transformation.