Dramatis personae is a Latin phrase for persons in a play, and is used to refer collectively to the characters represented in a dramatic work to be played by the cast members, whether they act or use some other form (such as puppetry), or even if they be animals. Off-stage characters are not considered part of the dramatis personae. The dramatis personae is also the list of character names at the beginning of a written play. In ancient Greece and in Shakespearian plays (as well as many other old drama) the names were listed in order of hierarchy, with gods at the top, peasants at the bottom. The female characters were listed below all the male characters. Nowadays next to the each name is the name of the actor who will play the part or his stage name, or the name of the actor who played the part originally. In order not to give away vital parts of the plot some names may be altered, for example mixed up with another name. Some minor characters may be listed just as the actors who perform the parts.
There is also a collection of poetry called Dramatis Personae.
