Being an art based on a fixed model that is reenacted on stage rakugo can be distinguished clearly from other performing arts such as theatrical and dance performances because storytellers do not dress up as each character but rather appear as themselves, whereas theatrical and dance performers usually dress up as a character.
落語が再現芸術でありながら演劇や舞踏と一線を画して考えられるのは、演劇・舞踏といった芸能が通常扮装を伴って演技されるのに対して、落語においては扮装を排し、素のままで芸を見せるためである。