The current state of theater, with an emphasis on new developments in theatrical forms, styles, and technologies, as well as the influence of globalization and new media on theater and performance.
Greek Theater: The origins of theater and the development of the ancient Greek theatrical form.
Elizabethan Theater: The time period where Shakespearean plays became popular and are still studied and performed today.
Restoration Theater: The period of theater in Britain that followed the Restoration of King Charles II, marked by witty and raunchy plays.
Modern Theater: The theater that emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a reaction to traditional theater, marked by experimentation and the work of playwrights such as Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekhov.
Expressionism: A theatrical movement that originated in Germany in the early 20th century, characterized by the use of exaggeration and surrealism to express emotional ideas.
Absurdism: A form of theater that broke from traditional narrative structure and explored existentialist themes, exemplified by the plays of Samuel Beckett and Eugène Ionesco.
Postmodern Theater: A theater that emerged in the late 20th century and questioned or subverted dominant narratives and structures, often incorporating elements of technology and media.
Queer Theory: An area of study within theater that examines theories of gender and sexuality, often exploring how theater has represented and challenged traditional gender roles.
Feminist Theory: An area of study within theater that examines the representation of women in plays and challenges gendered power dynamics.
Postcolonial Theory: An area of study within theater that explores how colonization and its aftermath have been represented in theater, often examining issues of identity, power, and cultural hybridity.
Performance Studies: An interdisciplinary field that examines the culture and social meaning of performance, often focusing on contemporary theater as a site of analysis.
Playwriting: The craft of creating scripts for theater, including elements such as dialogue, character, and stage direction.
Acting: The craft of embodying a character on stage, including techniques such as voice and movement.
Directing: The art of guiding actors and other contributors to a play towards a unified vision on stage.
Design: The art of creating the visual aspects of a production, including elements such as set design, costume design, and lighting.
Drama: A play that tells a story through dialogue and action, typically with serious or weighty themes.
Comedy: A play that aims to be humorous and generate laughter from the audience, often using satire or parody.
Tragedy: A play that portrays the downfall of a protagonist or a tragic event or situation, resulting in a cathartic emotional experience for the audience.
Melodrama: A type of drama characterized by exaggerated emotions, plot twists, and stereotypical characters.
Political Theatre: A play that deals with social or political issues, often addressing controversial subjects or current events.
Absurdist Theatre: Performances that break away from traditional plot structures with characters and events that lack a clear logic or meaning.
Performance art: Non-traditional theater form that incorporates live performance including dance, music, and visual media.
Musical Theatre: A theatrical performance that incorporates songs, dance, and spoken dialogue to tell a story.
Experimental Theatre: A genre of theater that often incorporates avant-garde techniques that challenge audience expectations and traditional forms of theater.
Improvisational Theatre: A theater form in which actors develop the plot and characters spontaneously, often with the participation of the audience.