Aristotle believed that drama should evoke pity and fear in the audience, leading to a release of emotions and a sense of purification, known as catharsis.

Plato believed that drama has the potential to teach and enlighten citizens about important moral and political issues.

Brecht believed that drama should use alienation effects, such as direct address to the audience, to prevent the audience from becoming emotionally involved and to encourage them to think critically about the issues presented.

Stanislavski believed that actors should draw on their own emotions and experiences to create authentic and believable performances.

Performance theory examines how the text of a play is interpreted and realized in a particular performance, considering factors such as the director's vision, the actors' interpretations, and the audience's response.

The theory of dramatic conflict posits that the central conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist is what propels the action of the play and creates tension and suspense.

Expressionism is a theatrical movement that emphasizes the subjective inner experiences of the characters and uses exaggerated and distorted visual elements to convey emotions and ideas.

The theory of the absurd encompasses the idea that life is fundamentally meaningless and irrational, human existence is futile and insignificant, and language is inadequate to express the human condition.

Interactive theatre, immersive theatre, and participatory theatre all involve the audience as active participants in the performance, blurring the boundaries between performers and spectators.

Postmodern drama questions traditional notions of narrative and character, challenges the idea of a unified and coherent self, and blurs the boundaries between high and low culture.

Political theatre, documentary theatre, and agitprop theatre all use drama as a means to address political and social issues, raise awareness, and promote change.

Feminist theatre encompasses a range of practices and approaches that aim to explore women's experiences and perspectives, challenge patriarchal structures and stereotypes, and create new narratives that center women's voices.

Physical theatre, dance theatre, and mime theatre all place a strong emphasis on physicality and movement as a means of storytelling and expression.

Devised theatre is a process of creating a performance from scratch through improvisation, collaboration, and experimentation, without relying on a pre-existing text.

Collaborative theatre, interdisciplinary theatre, and cross-disciplinary theatre all involve the collaboration of artists from different disciplines, such as theatre, dance, music, and visual arts, to create innovative and multi-dimensional performances.