Theatre Glossary (Mike Green)

An umbrella term used to embrace all aspects of the discipline of theatre.

Acting exercises which involve group agreement to the rules of the game and group interaction in pursuit of solving the dramatic problem; frequently used for warm-up, motivation, and exploration of character and subtext.

Theatrical literature, history, lore, conventions, and taste that have accumulated across the centuries.

Generally refers to those major eras in which significant theatrical contributions have been made (e.g., fifth century Greece, the Elizabethan era, the French neoclassic periods, the Restoration, late nineteenth century, twentieth century).

The administrative aspects of theatre (e.g., stage management, budgeting, public relations, box office, house management).

The staging of a dramatic work for presentation before an audience.

The conception and planning of the technical aspects of a production to achieve spectacle. (Theatre spectacle commonly refers to performance, space, scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup.)

The central thought, idea, or significance of action with which a play deals.

An improvised drama developed around a problem, issue or theme to be explored. Participants are led to identify with a common concern of a group of people (e.g., slaves and the underground railway, chivalry and medieval knights, the responsibilities of citizenship).

The internal or external changing of a person or object into another through imagination.