Act (drama)

An act is a major division of a theatre work, including a play, film, opera, ballet, or musical theatre, consisting of one or more scenes.^[1][2] The term can either refer to a conscious division placed within a work by a playwright (usually itself made up of multiple scenes)^[3] or a unit of analysis for dividing a dramatic work into sequences. The word act can also be used for major sections of other entertainment, such as variety shows, television programs, music hall performances, cabaret, and literature.