Elements of Drama

What is a play? Books and short stories tell a story using such elements as themes, characters, plots, and settings. Like these things, plays also tell a story. But a Play is a story written to be performed. The story is told through the conversation and actions of the characters.

Elements of Drama & Drama Vocabulary Playwright Script Acts and Scenes Cast of Characters Dialogue Plot Setting and Set Stage Directions Narrator Intermission Theme Skit Sound effects Props

Playwrights and Scripts Playwright- The person who writes a play A Script -The written form of a play

Script A Script is the written play. Besides the elements of the play, a script may have special instructions or additional suggestions for the successful production of the play. It may give some biographical information about the author.

Acts and Scenes In a book, the story is divided into chapters. Plays are broken up into Acts and Scenes. Acts – a plays main parts Scene – a smaller part of an act. A new scene usually begins. When the setting—either the time or the place or both—changes,

Cast of Characters A list of the plays characters. Sometimes there will be a description of the character Characters: Narrator/Beth Ralph Mother Ollie Father Claude Charlie Mrs. Wendleken Imogene Leroy Alice

Dialogue The talking or conversation between characters. A speech tag shows who is speaking. Dialogue reveals the plot and theme of the play.

Plot The action of the play (series of events). Exposition – begins the play (characters and setting are introduced), problem introduced Rising Action – problem gets worse Climax – a point of high tension Falling Action – the conflict starts to resolve Resolution – the ending is explained; the outcome is decided

Setting vs. Set Setting: Place and time in which the play takes place; stage directions will name/describe the setting Set- is the construction on stage that suggests the time and place

Stage Directions Tell how a play should be performed List of characters, props, costumes Descriptions of settings, lighting, music, sound Details on how the actors should move, speak, behave

Theme A statement or lesson about life around which a play is written is called a Theme.

Narrator A play may also include a Narrator. A narrator speaks from the side and gives important information and insights, but is not part of the action.

Intermission Intermission, a short break for the actors and audience. An intermission gives an audience a chance to stretch their legs, and allows scenery and costume changes for the cast. When the setting—either the time or the place or both—changes, a new scene usually begins.

Skits Plays can also be very short, only five minutes or so. Those plays are called Skits. A Skit is often used to make a point or to introduce another activity.

Visual The productions you see on television, the movie screen, DVDs, or on stages all start with a script. A playwright and a director must often be very creative in suggesting a setting or time period.

Sound Effects Sound in a play used to help it seem more real and help create the mood.

Prop The Moveable objects on Set