Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
The light source inside a stage lighting fixture, critical to theatrical illumination. Lamps vary by intensity and color temperature, and their maintenance is essential for consistent lighting quality throughout a production.
The language of ancient Rome, used in early liturgical drama and by scholars during the Renaissance and Medieval theatre periods.
A gender-neutral term for people of Latin American heritage, represented in modern theatre to promote inclusion and diversity.
A small wireless microphone that clips onto an actor’s clothing, allowing hands-free amplification during performance. Lavalier mics are widely used in musicals and modern plays for their discreet appearance and reliable sound capture, especially in dynamic scenes with movement.
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.