This article examines the constitutive role of music
in theatrical performance, positioning it as a structural and interpretive
force rather than a decorative accompaniment. Music is approached as a central
element in the dramaturgical framework, shaping rhythm, atmosphere, and the
affective continuity of performance. By operating as an autonomous expressive
system, it generates meanings that exceed verbal discourse and physical action,
thus enriching both the interpretive depth and the sensory experience of
theatre. The study highlights how music contributes to the construction of
character, the modulation of dramatic tension, and the establishment of
performative coherence. Through its temporal and emotional dynamics, music not
only frames audience perception but also mediates between narrative progression
and the broader artistic vision of a production. Such functions reveal that
music does not stand in isolation but interacts dialogically with gesture,
movement, and visual design, creating a multi-layered performative language.
Building upon perspectives from aesthetics, performance theory, and
interdisciplinary studies, the article argues that music should be reconsidered
as a decisive dramaturgical pillar. It invites scholars and practitioners alike
to move beyond reductive views of music as background and to engage with its
generative power in shaping theatrical meaning. In doing so, the article
reframes theatre as a multimodal art form where music emerges not as
supplementary ornamentation but as a primary agent of coherence,
interpretation, and audience engagement.
