theater
A hall dedicated to live dramatic performances with permanent audience seating, including musicals but excluding opera houses.
Pictured: Musical Theater Marlene-Dietrich-Platz
A theater is any performance hall where live dramatic performances are held in front of audiences. This includes musical theater, but spaces designated specifically for operas are classified as an opera house rather than as a theater. The space must be dedicated to this use with permanent seating.
The hall is dedicated to dramatic performance and has permanent seating. An occasional play in an otherwise unrelated room does not by itself meet those conditions.
Musical plays are included, with musical theater identifying venues mainly devoted to them. Spaces specifically designed for opera have the separate opera house meaning.
theater Photos
More specific definitions
1 sub-definitionRelated definitions
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cinema
An auditorium or hall dedicated to screening motion pictures, including multiplexes but excluding drive-in cinemas. -
circus
A forum for performances involving a variety of tricks, stunts, and wonders. -
comedy club
A venue for regular live non-theatrical comedy before an audience, including stand-up performances. -
concert location
A venue designated for live musical concerts before a listening audience, distinct from dedicated symphonic halls and live-music clubs. -
drive-in cinema
A cinema arranged with a screen facing a parking area so audiences can watch films from their cars. -
opera house
A theater designed for live opera before an audience, usually with substantial backstage space and an orchestra pit. -
symphonic hall
A concert hall especially designated for orchestral and classical music, from solo recitals to full symphonies.