Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A leading male character in Indian classical drama, often romantic or heroic, paired with a female Nayika.
The archetypal female protagonist in Indian drama and dance, representing love, longing, and emotional expression.
A fascist regime often dramatized to examine themes of extremism, propaganda, genocide, and moral collapse.
African-American baseball leagues sometimes dramatized in plays to explore racial segregation and cultural pride.
An antagonist or force of retribution often featured in tragedies to fulfill poetic justice or downfall.
A trait or condition affecting character behavior, often portrayed to reflect internal conflict or societal pressures.
Spiritual and metaphysical beliefs, sometimes depicted in theatre to contrast traditional religion or promote alternative worldviews.
A cultural movement during the Harlem Renaissance promoting African-American arts, identity, and political empowerment.
A technique from Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed, transforming news articles into performative pieces to expose bias or stimulate discussion.
Critical turning points or moments in a dramatic structure where key decisions or events alter the course of the narrative.
A classical Japanese performance tradition combining dance, drama, music, and poetry, known for slow movement and spiritual themes.
A non sequitur is a line of dialogue or statement that does not logically follow from what was said before. In drama, it is often used to break the expected flow of conversation, creating humor, surprise, or confusion. This device highlights how communication can become unpredictable or meaningless when logical connections are abandoned.