Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A form that emphasizes movement over dialogue, blending dance and drama for expressive storytelling.
A stock character from French pantomime, often portrayed as a sad clown with white face paint and a ruffled collar. Pierrot symbolizes unrequited love and poetic melancholy.
The colorant used in theatrical makeup or paint. Pigments determine the intensity and tone of color on sets, costumes, and skin.
A four-stringed Chinese lute used in traditional opera and storytelling, known for its expressive range and percussive sound.
A classical Thai musical ensemble that accompanies traditional dance and theatre using wind, string, and percussion instruments.
A Korean double-reed woodwind instrument used in traditional court and theatrical music.
The perceived frequency of a sound, fundamental to singing, speech clarity, and musical harmony in performance.
Raised surfaces on stage used to create varied levels for actors and scenery. Platforms enhance visual dynamics and are integral to stage design.
A dramatic work that includes incidental music or songs, but is not classified as a full musical. Music supports mood and storytelling without dominating the narrative.
A play within a play is a dramatic device in which a secondary performance is staged inside the larger work. This inner play can mirror, parody, or contrast with the main story, often adding layers of meaning or humor. It allows the audience to reflect on the nature of performance, illusion, and storytelling itself.
A collaborative process where a script is created through improvisation, interviews, or devising among a group of artists.
An archaic or literary term for an actor, especially in historical or classical contexts such as Shakespearean theatre.