one-act play
Short theatrical piece
A one-act play is a theatrical work performed without intermission, typically running under an hour.
The compressed format demands economical storytelling—fewer characters, a single setting, and tight dramatic focus.
One-acts are staples of drama competitions and theater festivals: The evening featured three one-act plays by emerging playwrights.
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
- stage directionsInstructions within a script
- playletBrief dramatic work
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
Eugene O'Neill · Samuel Beckett · plot · fringe theater · sketch · climax · skit · festival · competition · curtain raiser · solo performance · Tennessee Williams · Anton Chekhov · monologue · tragedy · pacing · drama · avant-garde theater
- dramaTV drama, television drama, drama school, playwright, character study
- theatreBroadway, theatre, stage, actor, actress
- drama activitiesdrama class, role-playing, puppet show, skit, monologue
- live entertainmentballet, Broadway, live show, concert, circus
- performancestalent show, dance routine, ballet, comedy act, variety show
- short playsone-act, playlet, sketch, skit, curtain raiser
scope/ambition
one-act playepic drama
Lengthy heroic narrative work
grand opera · Angels in America · Nicholas Nickleby · magnum opus