Glossary of Theatre Terms

A | C | D | E | F | I | N | R | S | T | U

aesthetic criteria Criteria developed about the visual, aural, and oral aspects of the witnessed event, derived from cultural and emotional values and cognitive meaning.

aesthetic qualities The emotional values and cognitive meanings derived from interpreting a work of art; the symbolic nature of art.

artistic choices Selections made by theatre artists about situation, action, direction, and design in order to convey meaning.

classical A dramatic form and production techniques considered of significance in earlier times, in any culture or historical period.

classroom dramatizations The act of creating character, dialogue, action, and environment for the purpose of exploration, experimentation, and study in a setting where there is no formal audience observation except for that of fellow students and teachers.

constructed meaning The personal understanding of dramatic/artistic intentions and actions and their social and personal significance, selected and organized from the aural, oral, and visual symbols of a dramatic production.

Top

drama The art of composing, writing, acting, or producing plays; a literary composition intended to portray life or character or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions exhibited through action and dialogue, designed for theatrical performance.

dramatic media Means of telling of stories by way of stage, film, television, radio, or computer discs.

electronic media Means of communication characterized by the use of technology, e.g., radio, computers, e.g., virtual reality.

ensemble The dynamic interaction and harmonious blending of the efforts of the many artists involved in the dramatic activity of theatrical production.

environment Physical surroundings that establish place, time, and atmosphere/mood; the physical conditions that reflect and affect the emotions, thoughts, and actions of characters.

Top

formal production The staging of a dramatic work for presentation for an audience.

front of house Box office and lobby.

improvisation The spontaneous use of movement and speech to create a character or object in a particular situation.

informal production The exploration of all aspects of a dramatic work (such as visual, oral, aural) in a setting where experimentation is emphasized. Similar to classroom dramatizations with classmates and teachers as the usual audience.

new art forms The novel combination of traditional arts and materials with emerging technology (such as performance art, videodiscs, virtual reality).

role The characteristic and expected social behavior of an individual in a given position (e.g., mother, employer). Role portrayal is likely to be more predictable and one-dimensional than character portrayal.

script The written dialogue, description, and directions provided by the playwright.

social pretend play When two or more children engage in unsupervised enactment's; participants use the play to explore social knowledge and skills.

Top

tension The atmosphere created by unresolved, disquieting, or inharmonious situations that human beings feel compelled to address.

text The basis of dramatic activity and performance; a written script or an agreed-upon structure and content for an improvisation.

theatre The imitation/representation of life, performed for other people; the performance of dramatic literature; drama; the milieu of actors and playwrights, the place that is the setting for dramatic performances.

theatre literacy The ability to create, perform, perceive, analyze, critique, and understand dramatic performances.

traditional forms Forms that use time-honored theatrical practices.

unified production concept A brief statement, metaphor, or expression of the essential meaning of a play that orders and patterns all the play's parts; a perceptual device used to evoke associated visual and aural presuppositions serving to physicalize and unify the production values of a play.

Top