Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A theatre company that presents multiple plays in rotation, often with the same cast members. It fosters ensemble work and diverse programming.
Representation refers to how characters, communities, or ideas are portrayed in theatre, film, or other media. It shapes how audiences perceive cultural identities and social issues, often influencing public opinion and awareness. Strong, authentic representation ensures that diverse voices and experiences are seen and valued on stage and screen.
The repetition of a song or theme earlier introduced in a musical, usually to reflect character change or emphasize emotional development.
In historical drama, often refers to supporters of a republic over monarchy. The term appears in plays about revolution, politics, and power.
A musical or dramatic work honoring the dead, often evoking mourning or closure in operatic and theatrical contexts.
An actor’s ability to hold emotional or physical energy in performance, contributing to tension, pacing, or character depth.
The portion of a play where conflicts are resolved and the narrative concludes. It follows the climax and restores order or provides closure.
The amplification and richness of vocal tone achieved through optimal breath support and vocal placement.
A genre from 17th-century England known for its wit, sexual explicitness, and satirical portrayal of social mores.
A stock character of the English Restoration period, representing a carefree, witty, and sexually irresistible aristocrat known for riotous living and patronage of the arts, as seen in the comedies of the era. The term, a shortened form of "rakehell," describes an elite, witty, and libertine man of the world who used his wealth and sharp tongue to pursue sensual pleasures
To exit the stage or withdraw, commonly found in stage directions and poetic theatre. It helps direct blocking and mood shifts.
A dramatic genre popular in Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre featuring murder, ghosts, and the pursuit of vengeance, often ending in multiple deaths.