Drama

Elements of Drama I Drama – major genre, or category, of literature; meant to be performed Drama – major genre, or category, of literature; meant to be performed Play – a story that is written to be performed by live actors to an audience. Play – a story that is written to be performed by live actors to an audience. Script – written form of a drama, such as for television, radio, or film Script – written form of a drama, such as for television, radio, or film Plot – action of a drama or story Plot – action of a drama or story Setting – time and place of the story of the play Setting – time and place of the story of the play

Scene – piece of action in a drama; usually changes when setting changes Scene – piece of action in a drama; usually changes when setting changes Act – grouping of scenes, usually grouped as parts of the plot Act – grouping of scenes, usually grouped as parts of the plot Cast of characters – list of all the character or players in a drama Cast of characters – list of all the character or players in a drama Dialogue – the lines of conversation spoken by the characters Dialogue – the lines of conversation spoken by the characters Stage directions – instructions for actors and stage crew, usually set in italics Stage directions – instructions for actors and stage crew, usually set in italics Director – the person in charge of the entire play production Director – the person in charge of the entire play production

Actor – person who plays the role of a character Actor – person who plays the role of a character Role – character in a play; part Role – character in a play; part Playwright – the writer of a play Playwright – the writer of a play

How to Read a Play Step 1: Read the cast of characters at the beginning of the script. Step 1: Read the cast of characters at the beginning of the script. Characters are usually listed in the order of their appearance on stage. Characters are usually listed in the order of their appearance on stage. Beside a character’s name, a few words may describe age, relationships, or traits. Beside a character’s name, a few words may describe age, relationships, or traits. At a character’s first entrance, a longer description of his or her manner and appearance may be written in the stage directions. At a character’s first entrance, a longer description of his or her manner and appearance may be written in the stage directions.

How to Read a Play Step 2: Read stage directions. Step 2: Read stage directions. The opening stage directions of a script always describe the setting. The opening stage directions of a script always describe the setting. Each scene also begins with a few words telling the time and place of the action. Each scene also begins with a few words telling the time and place of the action. Other stage directions may describe scenery and help actors decide what to do. Other stage directions may describe scenery and help actors decide what to do.

How to Read a Play Step 3: Read the dialogue and stage directions. Dialogue and stage directions are the text of the play. They show how the story develops, revealing who is involved, where they are, and what happens to them. It may help to read dialogue aloud. Be careful no to skip over stage directions; they will clarify the action. Step 3: Read the dialogue and stage directions. Dialogue and stage directions are the text of the play. They show how the story develops, revealing who is involved, where they are, and what happens to them. It may help to read dialogue aloud. Be careful no to skip over stage directions; they will clarify the action.

How to Read a Play Character Development: Dialogue and stage directions help you understand the characters and visualize them as real people. Character Development: Dialogue and stage directions help you understand the characters and visualize them as real people. Plot Development: When you finish reading a scene, ask yourself what happened to the characters and how their situations have changed. Plot Development: When you finish reading a scene, ask yourself what happened to the characters and how their situations have changed.

How to Read a Play Step 4: Visualize and become involved in the story. Step 4: Visualize and become involved in the story. First, picture in your mind what the setting looks like. Then visualize the characters as they move about and speak. Imagine how the conflict and the events of the play affect the characters’ lives. First, picture in your mind what the setting looks like. Then visualize the characters as they move about and speak. Imagine how the conflict and the events of the play affect the characters’ lives.

Elements of Drama II Staging a play: bring a script to life with actors, scenery, and costumes Staging a play: bring a script to life with actors, scenery, and costumes Backstage: the behind-the-scenes area of a theater Backstage: the behind-the-scenes area of a theater Wings: backstage area to the sides of the stage Wings: backstage area to the sides of the stage Flies: area directly over the stage, from which scenery can be lowered Flies: area directly over the stage, from which scenery can be lowered Dressing rooms: backstage area for putting on costumes and makeup Dressing rooms: backstage area for putting on costumes and makeup

Downstage: toward the audience Downstage: toward the audience Upstage: away from the audience Upstage: away from the audience Stage right and stage left: areas to the actors’ right and left as they face the audience. Stage right and stage left: areas to the actors’ right and left as they face the audience. See picture on next slide.

Set: the physical environment in which the dram is played Set: the physical environment in which the dram is played Platforms: raised areas of the stage, with varying heights Platforms: raised areas of the stage, with varying heights Flats: vertical structures that create walls, doors, etc. Flats: vertical structures that create walls, doors, etc. Drops: backdrops hung like curtains Drops: backdrops hung like curtains Props: small portable articles, such as luggage, pencils, dishes Props: small portable articles, such as luggage, pencils, dishes Costumes: clothing, makeup, wigs, and masks: objects that help actors portray characters Costumes: clothing, makeup, wigs, and masks: objects that help actors portray characters

Technical effects: lighting and sound effects Technical effects: lighting and sound effects

How to Stage a Play Step 1: Learn a theater’s layout. Theaters have public areas, where the audience sits, and areas hidden from the audience, where the play is produced. Actors enter from the wings. The flies above the stage are used to lower scenery. Locations on the stage are described as downstage, upstage, stage left, and stage right. Step 1: Learn a theater’s layout. Theaters have public areas, where the audience sits, and areas hidden from the audience, where the play is produced. Actors enter from the wings. The flies above the stage are used to lower scenery. Locations on the stage are described as downstage, upstage, stage left, and stage right.

How to Stage a Play Step 2: Conceive of a dramatic set. The set is the physical world of the play. It is created using platforms, flats, drops, furniture, and props. Step 2: Conceive of a dramatic set. The set is the physical world of the play. It is created using platforms, flats, drops, furniture, and props. Step 3: Learn the use of costumes, wigs, and makeup. Costumes help actors “become” characters and bring to life a particular time and place. Step 3: Learn the use of costumes, wigs, and makeup. Costumes help actors “become” characters and bring to life a particular time and place.

How to Stage a Play Step 4: Understand the effects of sound and lighting. These special effects highlight areas of the stage, influence the mood, and create a real-life atmosphere. Step 4: Understand the effects of sound and lighting. These special effects highlight areas of the stage, influence the mood, and create a real-life atmosphere. Step 5: Combine elements to conceive the whole performance. The actors and crew work together, using the theater layout, set, costumes, props, and technical effects to bring the script to life and help the audience enter the world of the play. Step 5: Combine elements to conceive the whole performance. The actors and crew work together, using the theater layout, set, costumes, props, and technical effects to bring the script to life and help the audience enter the world of the play.