Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
The original work, event, or inspiration from which a script, adaptation, or production is derived.
A dramatic style set in the American South, focusing on decay, eccentricity, and moral failures, often using symbolism and grotesque characters.
A former socialist state frequently represented in political theatre for its role in Cold War conflict and ideology.
A performance environment shaped by design, architecture, and blocking, influencing actor-audience relationships.
A device that projects audio from microphones or recorded sources into the performance space. Placement and type affect sound quality.
The visual elements in a production—such as costumes, scenery, and effects—that create an impressive or dramatic presentation.
A term from Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed for an audience member who engages in the performance to affect change.
Tape markings placed on stage to indicate where props, scenery, or actors should be positioned. Spiking helps maintain consistency in blocking and scene changes.
An adhesive used in theatrical makeup to attach facial hair, wigs, or prosthetics to an actor’s skin.
Historically associated with melancholy or ill temper, 'spleen' appears in poetic drama to express emotional imbalance.
A staging technique where two or more locations are shown simultaneously onstage, often highlighting thematic parallels or contrasts.