Glossary of Dramatic Terms

A major division in a play. An act can be sub-divided into scenes. (See scene). Greek plays were not divided into acts. The five act structure was originally introduced in Roman times and became the convention in Shakespeare's period. In the 19th century this reduced to four acts and 20th century drama tends to favor three acts.

• Acts

• Apron

• Box set

• Aside

The part of a proscenium stage that sticks out into the audience in front of the proscenium

• Aside

• Act

• Blocking

• Apron

Words spoken by an actor directly to the audience, but not "heard" by the other characters on stage during a play

• Blocking

• Aside

• Act

• Apron

Movement patterns of actors on the stage. Planned by the director to create meaningful stage pictures.

• Act

• Aside

• Blocking

• Apron

A set built behind a proscenium arch to represent three walls of a room. The absent fourth wall on the proscenium line allows spectators to witness the domestic scene. First used in the early nineteenth century

• Box set

• Aside

• Apron

• Act

Flat characters in a play are often are often, but not always, relatively simple minor characters. The tend to be presented though particular and limited traits; hence they become stereotypes. For example, the selfish son, the pure woman, the lazy child, the dumb blonde, etc. these characters do not change in the course of a play

• Flat Characters

• Fourth wall

• Acts

• Comic Relief

The imaginary wall that separates the spectator from the action taking place on stage.

• Dialogue

• Fourth Wall

• Comic Relief

• Dramatic Irony

The physical movement of a character during the play. Used to reveal character, may include facial expressions as well as movements of other parts of the actor's body.

• Stock Character

• Props

• Gesture

• Dialogue

Does NOT relate to the genre of comedy. Serves as a specific purpose: it gives the spectator a moment

• Dramatic Irony

• Scene

• Conflict

• Comic Relief

A conversion of characters in literary work. In plays, characters' speech preceded by their names.

• Dialogue

• Dramatic Irony

• Verbal Irony

• Conflict