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theatrical role

theatrical role

1 3.9
A character an actor plays in a play or stage show
  • noun
  • /θiˈætrɪkəl roʊl/
translation icon : papel teatral
  • She landed a major theatrical role in the new play.

Examples

  • He spent hours studying the script to prepare for his theatrical role as Hamlet.

  • Each theatrical role she takes on showcases her impressive range as an actress.

  • After months of rehearsals, he finally landed his first theatrical role in a Broadway production.

  • His theatrical roles often receive critical acclaim.

  • She received an award for her outstanding performance in the theatrical role of Juliet.

  • The young actor was excited to land his first theatrical role in the local production.

  • After years of auditions, he finally secured a significant theatrical role that would boost his career.

Synonyms

part
vstheatrical role
1.0

A person's role in a group or activity

is specific to a stage actor's character rather than general responsibilities in groups
character
vstheatrical role
3.2

A person in a story, play, or film

is the version performed on stage rather than the fictional person in text
role
vstheatrical role
534 1.0

A part an actor plays in a play or film

is specific to stage performances rather than film or other shows
persona
vstheatrical role
27 6.3

A role an actor plays in a play or film

is limited to stage performances only rather than film portrayals

How Important

lead
279 4.6
theatrical role
1 3.9
minor role
3 3.5
bit part
5 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

theatrical + role

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'theatrical' (related to theatre or drama) with 'role' (the part an actor plays). This simple adjective+noun composition is compositional and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would understand it.

Etymology

The phrase theatrical role comes from a time when the word role meant a small roll of paper with an actor's lines written on it. Actors read from that roll, so theatrical role came to mean the 'character' or 'part' an actor plays.