Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
Oversimplified character types used in theatre to critique or reinforce societal assumptions and cultural bias.
Stichomythia is a dramatic technique in which two characters exchange short, quick lines of dialogue in rapid succession. This back-and-forth creates tension, speeds up the pace of the scene, and makes conflicts more intense. It is often used in classical tragedies during arguments or confrontations.
A makeup technique that uses dots to create texture or shading, often for aging effects or character realism.
A costume shop worker who sews garments based on designer specifications and patterns.
Recognizable character types used across theatrical traditions, such as the fool, villain, or ingenue.
A philosophical approach emphasizing reason and emotional control, reflected in characters who endure suffering with quiet strength.
A person who tends the furnace on a steamship or steam train.
Makeup used to subtly enhance an actor’s natural features for visibility under stage lighting, without altering character appearance.
A character in comedy who contrasts with an eccentric partner, enhancing humor through understatement and seriousness.
A vocal warm-up using a straw to balance pressure and airflow, improving resonance and vocal health for singers and actors.
A performance style rooted in hip-hop and urban culture, featured in contemporary musical theatre and movement-driven plays.
The first section of an ancient Greek choral ode, paired with the antistrophe and epode in a formal structure.