dramanonliterary

Dramanonliterary is a neologism used in some strands of contemporary criticism to describe works or practices that foreground dramatic performance while resisting classification as traditional literature. The term blends drama and non-literary to signal a shift from text-centric conceptions of literature to performances where the primary medium is embodied on stage, in movement, sound, or visual design rather than written text alone.

Usage and scope: The term is applied mainly in discussions of experimental theatre, performance art, and hybrid forms in which the text plays a minor role or is non-existent. Examples include site-specific performances, dance-theatre, multimedia installations with dramaturgy centered on choreography and design, and plays whose scripts are intentionally minimal or not intended to be read independently from performance.

Origins and interpretation: Dramanonliterary is a recent coinage, with no single origin or governing authority. In practice, it is used to demarcate a category of live or performative works that resist conventional literary categorization and to raise questions about what counts as literature in a performance age.

Relation to other terms: It contrasts with dramatic literature (plays written for reading and analysis) and with performance studies that examine cultural contexts of performance. It may overlap with terms such as conceptual theatre or performance art but remains distinct in emphasizing the relationship between dramatic form and textual absence or minimalism.

Criticism: Some scholars argue the term is vague or tautological, while others see value in highlighting non-textual elements of drama. As a relatively new and contested label, its usage varies across disciplines and media.