The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms - Ross Murfin 2018

Play

Play: A drama, in verse or prose, that is intended to be performed onstage and before a live audience. In a play, actors deliver the dialogue, perform the actions, and follow the stage directions written by the author.

Although drama is often used as a synonym for play, the two terms differ, as a play is a type of drama intended for performance before a theatrical audience. Thus, although all plays are, broadly speaking, dramas, not all dramas are plays; for instance, some dramas (properly called closet dramas) are meant to be read rather than performed. The word drama may also be used to refer to a serious play, movie, or television show.