Common Definitions

Here is a list of terms used in Theatre for Children, Theatre in Education and Theatre for Young Audiences. We hope these will be helpful for drama students, educators and upcoming artists.

Age-specific - a text / play / performance created for a specific age group of audience. It is usually mentioned on the back cover of books or on posters for plays. Sometimes written as 'target audience'.

Creative Drama - an informal, improvisational, non- exhibitional, process-centered form of drama in which participants are guided by a leader to imagine, enact, and reflect upon human experiences through role-play, improvisation, pantomime, movement, and sound. (American Alliance for Theatre and Education: www.aate.org)

Drama in Education (DiE) - refers to drama as a subject in the school curriculum, as well as a method to teach other subjects.

Object Theatre - (sometimes referred to as object puppetry) uses found objects to create a story with characters. Instead of objects and/or puppets specifically designed for the narrative, object theatre deliberately uses everyday objects, either as is or transformed into other things. It imbues objects with significant meanings, implying that it is not only a style of theatre but also a method.

Participatory Theatre - participatory performance enables audiences to make changes and contribute to the work, which means that their experience and responses become part of the aesthetic of the performance.

TYA - acronym for Theatre for Young Audiences. A branch of theatre that is created by adult playwrights, directors and artists, for a child audience. The target audience ranges from infants to 18 year-olds. It does not include performances by children. Originated in the 20th century in Russia, UK, France, USA, Czechoslovakia and other countries, between WWI and WWII.

TIE - acronym for Theatre In Education. Generally refers to projects by a team of trained and experienced actors/teachers, who present performances in schools, often involving more than one visit. These performances are usually devised and researched by the team/teachers and are for small groups of one or two classes of a specific age. The aim of the projects is mainly educational, and uses theatre, drama in education and teaching techniques. This work provides an educational aid, resource and stimulus for both teachers and students.

Teacher Artist - (also known as artist educator or community artist) is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills, curiosities and sensibilities of an educator, who can effectively engage a wide range of people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts. They integrate their art form, perspectives, and skills into a wide range of settings, including schools, NGOs and social service agencies. 

Teacher in Role (TiR) - an educational technique used especially in the teaching of drama and dramatic literature, however its applications can span across the entire subject spectrum. Educators utilising the technique adopt a character or 'role', with the intent of engaging typically younger students in a fictional or historically-inspired setting to convey desired concepts, attitudes and ideals.