Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Abbreviation for Assistant Stage Manager. A crew member who supports the stage manager in organizing rehearsals, managing props, and running performances.
A dramatic event involving a political or symbolic killing, often central to tragedy or historical plays.
A dramatic theme involving cultural adaptation or loss of identity, explored in works about immigration and heritage.
A mental institution used in theatre to examine societal treatment of mental illness and the boundaries of sanity.
A form of early Roman comedy featuring stock characters and improvisation, considered a precursor to Commedia dell’arte.
Describes a mood or tone created by setting, lighting, or sound design that enhances emotional impact in theatre.
A musical term referring to compositions that lack a clear key or tonal center. Often used in avant-garde or experimental works.
Atonality refers to music that lacks a fixed key or tonal center, rejecting the traditional hierarchy of pitches found in tonal music. It often creates feelings of tension, ambiguity, or psychological unease. Composers use atonality to expand expressive possibilities and break away from conventional harmonic expectations.
A classical dance-drama text from Kerala, India, used in Kathakali performance to convey story through movement and music.
A theatrical technique in which audience members are invited to interact with or influence the performance directly.
A technician responsible for managing sound elements in a production, including microphones, sound effects, and overall audio balance.
A performer’s personal collection of audition-ready songs, organized for quick access and tailored to casting needs.