Act (drama)

An act is a major division or unit of drama, including plays, films, operas, ballets, or musicals, consisting of one or more minor divisions called scenes. An act can be a conscious division placed within a work by a playwright (usually itself made up of multiple scenes) 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.