Theatre Glossary (Mike Green)

Who refers to roles and characterizations. Where refers to setting, locale, environment. What refers to dramatic action. When refers to time of day, year. Why refers to motivation.

The process of creating roles and characters in dramatic context. (see Characterization).

The perspective of a member of the audience in relation to performance. A work is "distanced" so that it can be seen aesthetically and not confused with reality. Aesthetic distance permits objective response even in the face of subjective experiences.

Those characteristics of a work that place it somewhere on the scale of beautiful to ugly.

A person's reaction to the emotional values and cognitive meanings of a work of art (e.g., a theatre experience).

The branch of philosophy that deals with theories of art and beauty.

Adherence to beliefs, values, and behaviors deemed accepted in the artistic field.

One or more persons who observe actors in a scene or play in a classroom or a theatre. In theatre education, audience is sometimes loosely used to mean the reflective performer as well as classmates, other students, faulty, or the public.

A person, animal, or entity in a story, scene, or play with specific distinguishing physical, mental, and attitudinal attributes.

Physical aspects (e.g., sex, age, external traits), social aspects (e.g., family, occupation), and psychological aspects (e.g., attitudes, motivation, values) of a character.