legitimate theater
Live stage performances
Legitimate theater refers to professional stage productions featuring live actors performing scripted plays or musicals, as distinguished from other entertainment forms like vaudeville, burlesque, film, or television.
The term emerged in the 18th century when certain London theaters held royal patents giving them exclusive rights to produce "legitimate" drama.
Today the designation has largely lost its legal significance but persists as a way to distinguish traditional theatrical productions from other performance venues.
She trained for years hoping to work in legitimate theater.
Elizabethan dramatist and poet
- ChekhovRussian short-story master
- IbsenNorwegian playwright, drama reformer
- SophoclesClassical Athenian playwright
- EuripidesGreek tragic dramatist
Aristophanes · Molière · Beckett · Williams · Miller · Wilde · Shaw · Pinter
Author of stage dramas
- scriptWritten words for performance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
aside · act · scene · plot · subplot · conflict · climax · denouement
Miniature structure for children
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- off-BroadwaySmaller-scale New York theater
fringe · amphitheater · black box · conservatory · drama school · box office · orchestra seats · balcony
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- tragicomedyGenre blending sorrow and mirth
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
satire · morality play · mystery play · one-act · three-act · musical · revue · pantomime
Spectators physically present
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- encoreAudience-demanded extra performance
- standing ovationApplause while risen
intermission · matinee · evening show · premiere · opening night · closing night · run · repertory
Theater's architectural frame
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- wingsLimbs for flight
- riggingRopes controlling ship sails
- set designCrafting theatrical environments
lighting design · sound design · costumes · props · scrim · cyclorama · trapdoor · revolve
One who portrays characters
- actressFemale stage performer
- thespianTheatrical performer
- directorOne who leads
- producerOne who makes things
dramaturg · stage manager · choreographer · set designer · costume designer · lighting designer · sound designer · company
Shakespeare
Elizabethan dramatist and poet
- ChekhovRussian short-story master
- IbsenNorwegian playwright, drama reformer
- SophoclesClassical Athenian playwright
Euripides · Aristophanes · Molière · Beckett · Williams · Miller · Wilde · Shaw · Pinter · Albee
playwright
Author of stage dramas
- scriptWritten words for performance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
soliloquy · aside · act · scene · plot · subplot · conflict · climax · denouement · catharsis
playhouse
Miniature structure for children
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
off-Broadway · fringe · amphitheater · black box · conservatory · drama school · box office · orchestra seats · balcony · mezzanine
tragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- tragicomedyGenre blending sorrow and mirth
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
melodrama · satire · morality play · mystery play · one-act · three-act · musical · revue · pantomime · kabuki
live audience
Spectators physically present
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- encoreAudience-demanded extra performance
standing ovation · intermission · matinee · evening show · premiere · opening night · closing night · run · repertory · touring
proscenium
Theater's architectural frame
set design · lighting design · sound design · costumes · props · scrim · cyclorama · trapdoor · revolve · apron
actor
One who portrays characters
producer · dramaturg · stage manager · choreographer · set designer · costume designer · lighting designer · sound designer · company · troupe
legitimate theaterfilm
Movie or coating
cinema · television · movies · motion pictures · TV drama
legitimate theatervaudeville
Theatrical variety entertainment
burlesque · variety show · music hall · cabaret · revue
legitimate, legitimately, legitimacy, illegitimate, illegitimacy, legitimize, legitimization, legitimise, legitimisation