Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A refundable fee often required when renting theatre space or equipment, used to cover potential damages or losses.
Segregation refers to the enforced separation of people in daily life, often based on race, class, or ethnicity. In the United States, racial segregation was a defining feature of society in the early to mid-20th century, affecting schools, businesses, entertainment venues, and public spaces. On stage, segregation serves as a backdrop for stories of injustice, resilience, and the struggle for equality.
Practices for mental and physical well-being, increasingly referenced in modern drama about identity and resilience.
Describes a play or scene that acknowledges its own theatrical nature, often breaking the fourth wall or referencing the script itself.
A recorded audition submitted digitally, often used in college, commercial, or regional theatre casting. It allows flexibility and wide talent reach.
A brief trumpet flourish used in Shakespearean theatre to announce the entrance or exit of important characters.
A training technique helping actors tune into their five senses, enhancing presence, emotional connection, and truthfulness.
A genre that blends humor with moral themes and emotional appeal, popular in the 18th century as a reaction against bawdy Restoration comedy.
A historical event that has inspired numerous dramatic works exploring grief, politics, and national identity.
A follow-up work that continues the narrative or themes of an earlier play or musical.
A musical performance typically expressing love or admiration, used in both opera and musical theatre.
A sewing machine used in costume construction to trim, edge, and finish fabric seams quickly and professionally.