Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A painted-face role type in Chinese opera, typically representing warriors or officials with bold makeup and strong voices.
A high-pitched two-stringed fiddle used in Peking Opera to accompany vocals and underscore dramatic moments.
Also known as Peking Opera, a stylized form of Chinese theatre combining singing, dance, and martial arts.
A term referring to the physical stage in traditional Chinese theatre, central to ritual and performance structure.
In Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed, the facilitator who guides interaction between audience and actors without imposing bias.
A Korean royal era (1392–1897) during which masked dance-dramas and court rituals shaped national theatre traditions.
A jukebox musical is a type of musical where the score is made up of pre-existing, well-known popular songs instead of original music.
A failed 1832 uprising in Paris that inspired the setting and themes of the musical Les Misérables.
A classical Japanese theatre form combining stylized movement, elaborate makeup, and historical or domestic stories.
A form of Indian string puppetry featuring colorful characters and stories rooted in folklore and local legends.
An Indian state known for Kathakali and Kutiyattam, two traditional forms blending theatre, dance, and ritual.
A musical notation indicating the key of a piece, essential for singers and musicians to maintain correct pitch.