Drama Notes

1. Leading roles—main/major characters. Types of Acting Roles 1. Leading roles—main/major characters. 2. Supporting roles—minor characters

Four types of stages 1. Proscenium stage. Proscenium--the arch or frame enclosing the visible stage; the opening between the stage and the house. Proscenium Arch Stage Floor Curtain line Apron

Arena Stage audience audience audience audience

Thrust Stage audience audience audience

Stage directions Stage directions –instructions in parentheses ( ) that show emotion or action

Common Stage Directions enter- -coming on stage exit- -leaving the stage cross—moving from one side of the stage to the other

Stages used to be built with a rake or slope: Back of stage Front of stage (audience)

Why would they need a rake? So the whole audience could see the stage

Do most stages have a rake today? Why not? No; the audience is raked (sloped) instead.

Today, upstage is the direction away from the audience. Downstage is towards the audience. Stage left and stage right are set to the actors’ perspective. The area in which the audience sits is called the house.

The stage is divided into 9 main areas Front of stage

The stage is divided into 9 main areas Center Stage CS Front of stage

The stage is divided into 9 main areas Stage Right Center Stage CS Stage Left Front of stage

The stage is divided into 9 main areas Up Stage Stage Right Center Stage CS Stage Left Down Stage Front of stage

The stage is divided into 9 main areas Up Stage Center USC USR USL Center Stage Right CSR Center Stage CS Center Stage Left CSL Down Stage Center DSC DSR DSL Front of stage

Comedies are light, humorous stories with happy endings. Two Main Types of Drama Comedies are light, humorous stories with happy endings. Tragedies are serious stories that often end in the downfall or deaths of major characters.

What do the two masks often seen as a symbol of drama represent? They represent comedy (smiling mask) and tragedy (sad mask).

Mood is the feeling a story or perfomance conveys.

What rescources can you use to create mood on stage? Lighting Sound Set/Scenery Props Costumes Makeup and Hair

Costumes—clothes actors wear, appropriate to their characters Make-up—can be used to enhance facial features or to change actors’ appearances Props--items carried on stage Set—backdrop and scenery for a play, movie, or similar performance.

Information ranging from specific details to general references to costuming, props, and set can often be found in the stage directions, but must be interpreted by designers.

Set Design Basics Curved lines and round shapes are usually found in comedies. Straight lines and sharp angles are usually found in tragedies.

Happiness—yellow, orange… Color and Emotions Happiness—yellow, orange…

Color and Emotions Anger—red, black….

Color and Emotions Sadness—gray, blue…

Calmness—light greens, light blues Color and Emotions Calmness—light greens, light blues

Color and Emotions Life—green, yellow…

Color and Emotions Death—black…