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Dance |
A precursor, if not the earliest form of theatre. Dance in primitive theatre
has evolved into the choreography of Broadway musicals, ballet, and interpretative theatre. |
Denouement |
Also called "falling action", it is the part of the play following
the climax, during which events and conflicts are brought to their final resolution. |
Deus ex Machina |
Literally, the god from the machine. Refers to the character (usually a god) in classical
Greek tragedy who enters the play from the heavens at the end of the drama to resolve or explain the conflict. This actor
was usually lowered by means of a crane-like device known as a mechane. The term has come to mean any arbitrary
means of plot resolution. |
Dialogue |
Passages of speech between characters in a play. |
Dimmer |
A device used to control the intensity of light. Elaborate racks or systems of
dimmers, controlled by analog or digital means, can be used to achieve complete control over lighting and mood in a
production. |
Directing |
Translating the play from the written script to the interpretation and action
which takes place on stage. |
Director |
The person charged with overall interpretation of a dramatic work, who conducts
the rehearsals, blocks the action and assists the actors in developing their characters. |
Downstage |
Stage direction: the front of the stage, or that portion of the stage closest
to the audience. |
Drama |
A literary work, such as a play, that tells a story through dialogue intended
to be performed by actors. In theatre, the quality of being dramatic. In modern usage, the term drama has come to
denote mean the opposite of comedy. |
Dramatic Theory |
Study and analysis of the dramatic arts, their form, construction, values and their
impact on society. |
Dramatic Values |
Those aesthetic features of a play or production which contribute to the overall
impact it has on the audience. |
Dramatist |
A playwright, or one who writes plays. |
Drapes |
See, curtain. The "main" or "grand" drape is used to
separate the audience from the stage. Drapes may also be used to mask or divide areas of the stage, or to mask backstage
areas and the wings from the stage. |
Dress Rehearsal |
Rehearsal, usually late in the schedule, just before actual performances, in
which lighting, costumes, makeup, costume changes, set changes, properties, sound effects, and special effects are used.
Also called a "full dress rehearsal". |
Drop |
See, cloth. A piece of cloth, often painted to depict scenery, which is lowered
from the grid to set a scene. |
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