The Playwright and the Play Chapter 6

Creating the World of the Play The playwright creates the template: The subject (people) and verb (action) of the drama Purpose of play Entertain Raise timeless questions Make a political or social comment Sets the tone, the agenda and the approach Based on History, biography, autobiography or imaginary story resembling everyday life or based on a fantasy or a nightmare

Creating the World of the Play The playwright creates the template: Chooses the focus of the play A character A character trait Mood of a group of people emphasized by outside forces The human senses Other aspects of life Chooses the order of events Chooses the conflict that springboards action by characters

Structural Conventions: The Rules of the Game Limited Space The play is confined to a world of its own Limited Time Length of performance Timespan inside the play Strongly Opposed Forces Antagonist(s) opposes the protagonist(s) Create friction or tension A Balance of Forces An imbalance of forces does not make for good drama Incentive and Motivation Characters strive for a desired outcome Space in sports could be the playing field Time in sports could be the time limitations as in basketball Opposing forces in sports are the two teams A balance in sports is where both teams have a good chance to win Incentive is sports is to win the game

Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure Plot vs. Story The Plot is based on a story which designs the arrangement of events and characters from the story. Particular incidents are selected and arranged for maximum dramatic impact. The Story is a full narrative account of what people do in a chronological order of events. It may take the form of a novel, short story, or other medium.

Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure The Opening Scene Its purpose is to start the action and set the tone and style for everything that follows. It poses a problem to be solved Establishes an imbalance of forces or a disturbance in their equilibrium that compels them to respond

Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure Obstacles and Complications Characters move through alternating experiences of achievement and defeat through the use of obstacles and complications. Obstacles- That which delays or prevents the achieving of a goal by a character. An obstacle creates complication and conflict. Complications- Introduction in a play of a new force which creates a new balance of power and entails a delay in reaching the climax.

Structural Conventions: The Creating Structure Crisis and Climax A play usually builds from one crisis to another. Crises- A point in a play when events and opposing forces are at a crucial moment, and when the course of further action will be determined. There may be a series of crises leading to the definitive climax. Climax- The high point in the development of a dramatic plot. The scene toward the end of a drama in which all the forces reach their highest pitch and the fate of all the characters is determined.

Structural Conventions: Point of View Structure, Character Portrayal and Point of View Tragic or comic Humorous or sad Mixture of the two The optimist vs. the pessimist point of view of the action of the play The artist makes it clear of his/her point of view. It is direct and deliberate.