Reading a drama

Vocabulary: A drama, or a play, is a piece of writing that is presented almost exclusively through dialogue.

VOCABULARY: Scripts are broken down into one or more acts, or major divisions of the play.

VOCABULARY: Each act is subdivided into a scene, or smaller division within the act.

VOCABULARY: Stage directions: notes, which are often in italics or parentheses, help the actor interpret the scene for the audience.

VOCABULARY: Cast of characters: major and minor characters who are listed along with a brief description of the character’s role in the story.

PAY ATTENTION AS YOU READ: 1) Imagine the physical environment 2) Imagine the character’s appearance 3) Imagine the language of the play 4) Imagine the production of the play

“Sorry, Wrong Number” Mid-twentieth century: - phones were literally dialed - operators connected callers - wiring systems connected the phones - Sometimes a “crossed wire” mistake could occur.

Cast of Characters: #1) What can you predict about the action of the play from the Operator and Information listings?

Listen to the original broadcast…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dT4nhLyKlM

Lines 80-96: #3) What do the audience and Mrs. Stevenson learn at the same time?

Lines 289-304: #6) What does the audience see as Mrs. Stevenson dials the phone?

Lines 415-439: #8)Which words show what Duffy is doing? What do his actions reveal about him?

Lines 537-539: #10) What is the sound effect in these lines? What is its significance?

Lines 821-837: #12) How are the audiences probably reacting at this point in the play?