Comedies are plays designed to elicit humor and often feature witty dialogue, eccentric characters, and unusual … See more

Tragedies delve into darker themes such as death and disaster. The central character, or protagonist, often possesses a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall. Tragic plays encompass a wide range of emotions and emphasize … See more

Historical plays center on real historical events. They can be tragedies or comedies, though often they defy these classifications. History emerged as a distinct genre largely due to the influence of William Shakespea… See more

Ballad opera, a popular theatrical style of its time, marked the earliest form of musicals performed in the American colonies. The first indigenous American musical premiered in Philadelphia in 1767, titled "The Disap… See more

This theatrical style originated in the 1940s when Antonin Artaud hypothesized about the effects of expressing through the body rather than "by socially conditioned thought." In 1946, he wrote a preface to his works in w… See more

This genre typically presents metaphysical portrayals of existential questions and dilemmas. Theatre of the absurd rejects rationality, embracing the inevitability of plunging into the depths of the human condition. … See more

The term "play" can encompass either a general concept or specifically denote a non-musical play. In contrast to a "musical," which incorporates music, dance, and songs sung by characters, the term "straight play" is often use… See more