theatricals
Showy dramatic displays
Theatricals are dramatic performances or the activities involved in staging them: amateur theatricals, school theatricals.
The word often carries a slightly dismissive tone, suggesting productions that are earnest but not professional.
Extended to behavior, theatricals means exaggerated emotional displays—drama for effect rather than genuine feeling: Spare me the theatricals and just tell me what happened.
Elaborate ceremonial display
- extravaganzaLavish, elaborate entertainment
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- flamboyanceShowy, confident style
- glitzOstentatious showiness
pizzazz · grandeur · splendor · fanfare · histrionics · overacting · scenery-chewing · camp
Pre-performance practice session
- scriptWritten words for performance
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- directorOne who leads
- auditionTrial performance for selection
cast · ensemble · troupe · understudy · prompter · choreography · tableau · curtain call
Author of stage dramas
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- farceAbsurd, laughable situation
protagonist · antagonist · conflict · narrative · plot · climax · denouement · characterization
Rear stage scenery
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
green room · wings · rigging · set design · footlights · spotlight · scrim · cyclorama
Miniature structure for children
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- mezzanineIntermediate story between floors
- balconyRaised exterior platform
house lights · box seats · stage door · marquee · lobby · pit · stalls · gallery
Garment storage furniture
- attirePersonal garments collectively
- period pieceWork set in past era
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- wigsArtificial head coverings
masquerade · disguise · regalia · finery · greasepaint · prosthetics · headdress · robes
pageantry
Elaborate ceremonial display
- extravaganzaLavish, elaborate entertainment
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- flamboyanceShowy, confident style
glitz · pizzazz · grandeur · splendor · fanfare · histrionics · overacting · scenery-chewing · camp · bombast
rehearsal
Pre-performance practice session
audition · cast · ensemble · troupe · understudy · prompter · choreography · tableau · curtain call · opening night
playwright
Author of stage dramas
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- comedyWork meant to amuse
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
farce · protagonist · antagonist · conflict · narrative · plot · climax · denouement · characterization · arc
backdrop
Rear stage scenery
- sceneryVisible natural surroundings
- propsTheater accessories or praise
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
proscenium · green room · wings · rigging · set design · footlights · spotlight · scrim · cyclorama · trapdoor
playhouse
Miniature structure for children
- auditoriumRoom for spectators
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- mezzanineIntermediate story between floors
balcony · house lights · box seats · stage door · marquee · lobby · pit · stalls · gallery · amphitheater
wardrobe
Garment storage furniture
- attirePersonal garments collectively
- period pieceWork set in past era
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
wigs · masquerade · disguise · regalia · finery · greasepaint · prosthetics · headdress · robes · masks
theatricalsunderstatement
Intentional diminishment for effect
restraint · reserve · subtlety · minimalism · reticence
theatricalssincerity
Honest, unfeigned genuineness
genuineness · authenticity · candor · naturalness · artlessness
- theatrical masksPerformance face coverings
- theatrical workComposition for stage performance
- theatrical troupeGroup performing stage works
- theatrical productionLive performed dramatic work
- theatrical releaseFilm shown in theaters
- theatrical scriptsWritten works for performance