Stage and Theatre

Theatre (from the Greek verb theasthai, "to view" or "to see," whence theatron, or "seeing place") may be defined not only as a structure in which dramatic performances are given, but as the sum of all the arts required for the production of a dramatic, or imitative, action.

These include acting, theatrical costume and makeup, directing, scenography, stage lighting, theatre architecture, machinery and special effects, and dramaturgy or playwriting.

Theatre is an eclectic art form, often employing music and dance in its productions as well as the talents of leading artists from outside the theatre. Other mimetic performing arts, such as opera and ballet, are closely related to the theatre, the principal distinctions being that opera consists of song and musical dialogue throughout, whereas ballet is an art of rhythmic movement precisely timed to music.