Introduction to Drama

What is Drama? Drama is telling stories with actions and spoken words.

Types of Drama There are many types of drama but here is a list of a few: movies, plays, TV shows, storytelling, role-playing, and historically re-enactments.

Building Blocks of Drama The basic building blocks of drama are the elements. They’re divided into three categories: literary elements, technical elements, and performance elements.

Literary Elements Literary elements deal with dramatic performances as stories.

Technical Elements The technical elements deal with putting the story on stage for an audience.

Performance Elements The performance elements deal with the actors who make the characters “come to life” on stage.

Literary Elements Script- the lines or the words the actors will say as well as directions for the actions the actors will take on stage. Playwright- the writer of a script for a play. Literature- is the name we give to stories that are written down.

Literary Elements Storyline- is what happens in the story. It’s also called the plot. Setting- is where and when the story takes place. Characters- the people or animals in the story. Conflict- is the same thing as a problem in the story.

Technical Elements Costumes- are the clothing and other items that actors wear. Makeup- can be used to make a young person look 90 years old, turn a person into an animal, or make a person look as if they’ve barely survived a horrible accident.

Technical Elements Scenery- is the collection of decorations on the set; the set is part of the stage where the play is performed. Props- is short for “properties.” All articles on a stage except the scenery are called props. Sound effects- can make a play seem more real to the audience. For example if a play is set in the forest or on a boat, grasshoppers can be chirping in the background.

Technical Elements Music- is not always a part of a play, but with movies and TV, the music is extremely important. Music is chosen to go along with the mood, the place, and the characters.

Performance Elements Acting- actors work very hard to make the characters in a play seem real to the audience. Stage fright- many people get really nervous when they have to talk in front of a crowd of people. Speaking- actors will try out various ways of speaking to find the voice that suits their character best.

Performance Elements Vocal Expression- means that when you speak you’re not only sharing information, you’re sharing how you feel. Projection- if you can speak loudly enough so that everyone in a big room can hear you , then you have good voice projection. Speaking style- Everyone has there own speaking style. Maybe you know someone who speaks with confidence or someone whose sentences always sound flat and uninteresting.

Performance Elements Diction- means saying words clearly. Diction has nothing to do with how fast or slow you talk or how loud or soft you talk. Nonverbal expression- means “no talking.” Gestures, facial expressions, and movement can communicate very well, sometimes more powerfully than words.

Quiz What is drama? List three types of drama. What are the lines or the words the actors say? Who writes the script for a play? Where and when a story takes place. What is the clothing and other items an actor wears? What can be used to make an young actor look 90 years old? What is the collection of decorations on the set? Everything on stage that is not the scenery is called this. What element do actors use to make their character seem real? What is it called when people get nervous to speak on stage in front of others? What term refers to how clearly an actor speaks? What is it called when an actor uses gestures and facial expressions instead of words as a communication tool?