Drama Notes Mrs. Morgan 2009

Play A story that is acted out and performed before an audience A story that is acted out and performed before an audience Happens live action (not filmed) Happens live action (not filmed) Are NOT prose narrative (they do not usually have a narrator to explain the actions or meanings of the characters) Are NOT prose narrative (they do not usually have a narrator to explain the actions or meanings of the characters) Consists of characters carrying out a series of actions Consists of characters carrying out a series of actions There may be stage directions, but the audience will not hear them performed There may be stage directions, but the audience will not hear them performed

Tragedy A serious and important series of actions that end unhappily A serious and important series of actions that end unhappily EVERYBODY DIES!!!! EVERYBODY DIES!!!! The oldest recorded tragedies were Greek created by people like Sophocles The oldest recorded tragedies were Greek created by people like Sophocles Tragic hero – someone who is noble/high born that has a tragic flaw that brings about his/her downfall Tragic hero – someone who is noble/high born that has a tragic flaw that brings about his/her downfall Tragic flaw – a personal characteristic that brings about a hero’s demise (ex. Pride, ambition, passion, rebelliousness, etc.) Tragic flaw – a personal characteristic that brings about a hero’s demise (ex. Pride, ambition, passion, rebelliousness, etc.)

Comedy A play that ends happily A play that ends happily In Shakespeare, a comedy = EVERYBODY GETS MARRIED! In Shakespeare, a comedy = EVERYBODY GETS MARRIED! Comedies are often funny, but can sometimes address serious issues in an interesting way Comedies are often funny, but can sometimes address serious issues in an interesting way In comedies, characters will have flaws but will usually see the errors of their ways and repent In comedies, characters will have flaws but will usually see the errors of their ways and repent The complications (plot twists) in comedies often include ridiculous situations like mistaken identities, disguises, and misunderstandings The complications (plot twists) in comedies often include ridiculous situations like mistaken identities, disguises, and misunderstandings

Histories Any play based on a historical figure or event (based on a true story) Any play based on a historical figure or event (based on a true story) In Shakespeare, the histories are often based in Ancient Rome or English History In Shakespeare, the histories are often based in Ancient Rome or English History Often these plays are tragic in nature Often these plays are tragic in nature

Stage A place where a play is performed A place where a play is performed Two main types of stages: black box and proscenium Two main types of stages: black box and proscenium When on stage, directions are from the point of view of the actor, NOT the audience When on stage, directions are from the point of view of the actor, NOT the audience Upstage is in the back, toward the backdrop Upstage is in the back, toward the backdrop Downstage is toward the audience Downstage is toward the audience Left and Right are oriented to the actor Left and Right are oriented to the actor

Set The pieces and backdrop that add to the story and help create the time and place for the story The pieces and backdrop that add to the story and help create the time and place for the story Until recently, stages were outside to take advantage of the natural light (no electricity!) Until recently, stages were outside to take advantage of the natural light (no electricity!)

Costumes The clothing and accessories actors wear The clothing and accessories actors wear Costumes today are used to fit the period the play is set in Costumes today are used to fit the period the play is set in They can be elaborate and simple, based on the play’s budget and theme They can be elaborate and simple, based on the play’s budget and theme In Shakespeare’s day, costumes were the cast-off clothing from wealthy patrons, not necessarily those that fit the time period of the play (ex, no togas) In Shakespeare’s day, costumes were the cast-off clothing from wealthy patrons, not necessarily those that fit the time period of the play (ex, no togas)

Props The portable items actors use on stage The portable items actors use on stage Anything that can be carried or easily moved is in this category Anything that can be carried or easily moved is in this category

Scene Design Includes the set, lighting, costumes, and props Includes the set, lighting, costumes, and props

Script The written words created by a playwright The written words created by a playwright Dialogue – a conversation between two or more characters Dialogue – a conversation between two or more characters Monologue – a long speech given by a character while other characters are listening Monologue – a long speech given by a character while other characters are listening Soliloquy – a long speech given by a character while other characters are NOT on stage or NOT listening (given directly to the audience) Soliloquy – a long speech given by a character while other characters are NOT on stage or NOT listening (given directly to the audience) Aside – a short comment given by a character directly to the audience Aside – a short comment given by a character directly to the audience Stage directions – instructions given to the actors from the playwright Stage directions – instructions given to the actors from the playwright When reading a play, stage directions will appear in either parenthesis () or italics When reading a play, stage directions will appear in either parenthesis () or italics When reading the play aloud, the stage directions are NOT read When reading the play aloud, the stage directions are NOT read

Shakespeare, the man Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Born April 23, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. Rumors speculate about his early life and education. It is supposed that he studied Latin and Rhetoric (the use of language). Rumors speculate about his early life and education. It is supposed that he studied Latin and Rhetoric (the use of language). Married Ann Hathaway at the age of 18 (she was 26). She was 3 months pregnant when they married! Married Ann Hathaway at the age of 18 (she was 26). She was 3 months pregnant when they married! Shakespeare had three children with Ann: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet. Shakespeare had three children with Ann: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet. From 1585 (when Judith and Hamnet are born) to 1593 (when his first poem is published) no one really knows what Shakespeare did. These are known as the “Lost Years.” From 1585 (when Judith and Hamnet are born) to 1593 (when his first poem is published) no one really knows what Shakespeare did. These are known as the “Lost Years.” He dies April 23, 1616 and is buried beneath the church in Stratford. He dies April 23, 1616 and is buried beneath the church in Stratford.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

What they don’t tell you… Shakespeare turned up in London in 1593, working as an actor and stagehand for Richard Burbage. Shakespeare turned up in London in 1593, working as an actor and stagehand for Richard Burbage. He eventually became a part of Burbage’s Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting troupe). He eventually became a part of Burbage’s Lord Chamberlain’s Men (an acting troupe). Performed for both Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. Performed for both Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. His acting troupe became known as The King’s Men when they began performing for James. His acting troupe became known as The King’s Men when they began performing for James. The Puritans were against the theater and acting, and managed to get the theaters closed down for because of the plague The Puritans were against the theater and acting, and managed to get the theaters closed down for because of the plague Shakespeare wrote his parts for specific actors, including the young boys who played the female roles. Shakespeare wrote his parts for specific actors, including the young boys who played the female roles.

The Globe Shakespeare obtained joint ownership in 1599 with Burbage Shakespeare obtained joint ownership in 1599 with Burbage Created as an outdoor amphitheater Created as an outdoor amphitheater Has three levels: groundlings, middle class, and nobles Has three levels: groundlings, middle class, and nobles Groundlings were the people who came to the play, paid a penny and stood on the ground around the stage Groundlings were the people who came to the play, paid a penny and stood on the ground around the stage Currently restored and producing plays in the summers Currently restored and producing plays in the summers People standing around seats were subject to thievery and thrown objects and curses People standing around seats were subject to thievery and thrown objects and curses Performed in daylight, no electricity Performed in daylight, no electricity Burnt down during a production of King Henry VIII Burnt down during a production of King Henry VIII Theater has many trap doors and different levels used for staging productions. Theater has many trap doors and different levels used for staging productions.

What’s Left

What the Stage Looks Like

The Balcony

Heaven’s Door

The Musician's Alcove

The Roof

The Trapdoor

The Seating

Groundlings

The Middle Class

The Wealthy

Famous Plays of Shakespeare TragediesComediesHistories Romeo and Juliet A Midsummer’s Night Dream Julius Caesar Othello Twelfth Night Antony and Cleopatra Hamlet The Taming of the Shrew Henry V Macbeth Much Ado About Nothing Richard III

The Tomb