Drama Glossary

A comic routine or bit used in commedia dell’arte, often improvised and repeated throughout performances. Lazzi are designed to showcase physical comedy and timing, and they highlight the actor’s skill in engaging the audience with exaggerated or absurd humor.

The protagonist or primary figure in a dramatic work who drives the plot and undergoes significant transformation. The lead character is central to the audience’s emotional investment and often embodies the theme or conflict of the play.

A narrow, vertical curtain used on the sides of a stage to mask backstage areas and frame the performance space.

A musical term indicating smooth, connected phrasing in vocal or instrumental performance. In theatre, legato singing is essential for creating lyrical flow and emotional continuity in musical passages.

A participatory theatre practice from Augusto Boal where citizens perform proposed laws and vote on them in performance.

Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.

Narrow, tall curtains placed at the sides of the stage to mask the wings from audience view. Legs are part of the masking system used to shape the visible performance area and facilitate backstage movement.

A recurring musical theme associated with a particular character, idea, or emotion. Frequently used in opera and musical theatre, leitmotifs help reinforce narrative continuity and emotional cues for the audience.

The vertical positioning of actors or scenery on stage, used to create visual interest and suggest status or focus. Levels can be achieved through platforms, blocking, or movement and are a core element of stage composition.

An educational curriculum that emphasizes broad knowledge across disciplines, including humanities and performing arts. Theatre programs within liberal arts institutions often combine academic study with practical training.

The author of a libretto, responsible for writing the text or script for an opera or musical. Librettists work closely with composers to ensure the dramatic structure and dialogue support the music and storytelling.

The complete text of an opera, musical, or other extended vocal work, including all spoken dialogue and lyrics. The libretto provides the dramatic structure and narrative arc, serving as a guide for both performers and directors to align story and music.