Key Terms

Ballet

• 1. • A classical dance form used in theatre for expressive movement, storytelling, and interdisciplinary performance.

Choreography

• 1. • The art of designing and arranging movement sequences for theatrical dance and physical storytelling.

Dream Sequence

• 1. • A non-literal theatrical scene representing a character's inner thoughts, fears, or desires, often surreal in style.

Golden Age

• 1. • A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.

Golden Age Musical

• 1. • The “Golden Age Musical” refers to Broadway shows written roughly between the 1940s and 1960s, a period known for integrating songs, story, and character development. These musicals often balanced romance, comedy, and social themes with memorable melodies and large ensembles. Classics from this era continue to shape the foundation of modern musical theatre.

I Want Song

• 1. • An “I Want Song” is a number, usually placed early in a musical, where a main character expresses their deepest desire or ambition. This song sets the character’s journey in motion and gives the audience a clear emotional stake in the story. It has become one of the most recognizable and enduring conventions of musical theatre structure

Legit

• 1. • Short for 'legitimate theatre,' referring to traditional stage drama as opposed to musical or commercial performance. The term is also used to describe a classical vocal tone suitable for operatic or legit musical theatre roles.

Revival

• 1. • A revival is a new production of a play or musical after its original run has ended, often reimagined for a new generation of audiences. Revivals may stay faithful to the original staging or update elements like design, casting, or interpretation. They are a cornerstone of theatre tradition, keeping classic works alive and relevant.