contemporary drama
Present-day serious play
Contemporary drama refers to theatrical works or serious narrative fiction set in the present day or recent past, dealing with current social issues, relationships, and recognizable modern life.
The term distinguishes such works from period pieces or historical drama: The festival featured contemporary drama exploring themes of technology and isolation.
In television and film, contemporary drama typically means realistic stories without genre elements like fantasy or science fiction.
- Broadway debutInitial theatrical appearance, Manhattan
- August WilsonCentury of drama
- realismAccepting things as they are
- immersive theaterPerformance surrounding its audience
- black box theaterUnadorned experimental performance space
Lin-Manuel Miranda · fourth wall · social justice · identity · postmodernism · economic inequality · gender equality · experimental theater · family dynamics · mental health · trigger warnings · audience interaction · political unrest · ensemble casts · generational shifts · cultural diversity · digital revolution · minimalism
- dramaacting, playwright, character study, acting class, character development
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- modern theater historyChekhov, Ibsen, Miller, O'Neill, Tennessee Williams
- performing artsacting, dance, music, theater, theatre
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- Canadian Theatreplaywrights, NAC, fringe festivals, regional theatre, French theater
contemporary dramahistorical drama
Fiction set in past
period drama · period piece · costume drama · classical drama · historical fiction
contemporary dramasitcom
Episodic TV comedy series
farce · romantic comedy · light entertainment · sketch comedy · satire
contemporary dramaclassical tragedy
Serious ancient drama, catastrophic ending
Greek tragedy · Shakespearean tragedy · kabuki · liturgical drama · morality play