Drama/Theatre Glossary Terms
Students,
please note: the terms here are common terms within the discipline of Drama/Theatre that you should
know. Some of them will appear on quizzes and tests, and all of them appear
in one place or another in the class. They are words and phrases used to communicate
in the language of the stage.
A
- Aeschylus: Invented drama by adding second actor to the dithyramb, reducing the chorus, and introduced props and scenery.
- Archon: The government official who chose dithyramb competitors.
- Aristotle: Greek philosopher, wrote Poetics.
B
C
- Catharsis: The outpouring of emotion in a Greek tragedy, normally pity and fear.
- Choregos: Classical Greek patrons who sponsored and financed the Dionsyan festivals.
- Chorus: (1): in Classical Greek theatre, the chorus was a group who served the purpose of narrators and commentators.
- Comedies: Originally, any play or other literary composition with a non-tragic ending.
- Conflict: opposition of two or more elements. See Dramatic Conflict.
D
- Dionysus: Greek mythological god of vegitation and wine.
- Dithyramb: The festival song of the Dionysian festival in classical Greece.
- Dramatic Conflict: opposition of the protagonist with society, with his fellowman, or with himself. See Conflict.
E
- Ensemble: A group of players gathered for the same intent (See Troupe)
- Euripides: A Greek tragic dramatist, 5th Century, B.C.
- Exodus: In Greek tragedy, the conclusion and exit of the Chorus.
F
G
H
I
- Improv See Improvisation
- Improvisation: an impromptu scene where the actors make up the dialogue and the action.
J
K
- Komos: In Greek tragedy, the lament or exchange involving the Chorus
L
M
- Mask: A covering for the face or part of the face, concealing the identity. All actors in classical Greek theatre wore masks.
- Mime: See Pantomime
N
O
- Orchestra: The semicircular space in front of the stage in classical Greek theatre, used by the chorus.
P
- Parados: In Greek tragedy, is the entry of the Chorus
- Plato: Greek philosopher, 437-347 B.C.
- Prologue: In Greek tragedy, established the scene and explained the situation
- Protagonist: Originally, the actor who interacted with the chorus in the dithyramb developed by Thespis
- Pantomime: bodily movement and expression without diologue.
Q
R
S
- Sophocles: Greek tragic dramatist, 496-406 B.C.
T
- Thespis: The winner of the first dithyramb competition whose innovation of a single actor interacting with teh chorus changed theatre forever.
- Tragedy/Tragedies: A serious play in classical Greece having a disastrous or unhappy ending brought about by the central character driven by huberis to collide with fate. In a Greek tragedy, the Protagonist suffers from a Tragic Flaw which leads to his fall.
- Tragic Flaw: The character flaw in the protagonist which leads to his fall. Frequently hubris, or excessive pride.
- Troupe: A group of players gathered for the same intent (See Ensemble)
U
V
W-Z