The History of Theater Play Production Mrs. Gugel

Theater or Drama is one of the oldest art forms known to humans! n Drama tells a story through the speech and actions of characters in a story. n It is a form of literature - it expresses thoughts in a creative way. n Drama is effective because of its ability to give clarity to the human experience.

4 Major Elements of Drama n Feelings n Desires n Conflicts n Reconciliations ….are the major ingredients of the human experience...

Early Types of Drama Shamanism –priestly figure communicates with gods through ritual –Employed elements of performance such as characterization, dialogue, music, dance, illusion, clowning, ventriloquism, and hypnotism –Linked to origins of Western theater because of connection with the worship of the Greek god Dionysus

Dance –Expresses rhythms of life common to all humanity –Included animal imitation, pantomime, gymnastics, and rhythmic movement –Masks, costume, and sound heightened impact of dance

Ritual n Through the repeated, unvarying, and symbolic actions of ritual, early humans: –sought to achieve success in battle and hunting ; –were able to ensure adequate rain and sun –expressed their duty to the community and the gods

Storytelling n Myth and Stories –Have entertained and educated human beings since the beginnings of language –The Illiad and The Odyssey n Greek epics by the poet Homer

Forms of Drama n Tragedy n Serious n Serious Drama n Melodrama n Comedy

Tragedy n Mood that emphasizes serious intention n Tragic hero –Exceptional yet flawed individual brought to disaster and usually death n Hero’s fate raises questions about meaning of existence, nature of fate, morality, social/psychological relationships

Example of Tragedy Romeo & Juliet

Serious Drama n Developed out of tragedy n Serious tone and serious purpose n Concentrates on unhappy events n Heroes –More ordinary than tragic hero

Melodrama n Involves a villain who initiates actions that threaten characters with whom the audience is sympathetic n Situations are extreme and often violent n Endings are frequently happy n Good and evil are clearly distinguished

Example of Melodrama An Eye for an Eye

Comedy n Tries to evoke laughter n Usually ends happily n Can raise surprisingly serious questions

Farce n A form of comedy n Sometimes considered a distinct dramatic form n Uses ridiculous situations and broad physical clowning for humorous effect

Some Examples of Farce Saturday Night Live

Austin Powers

The Structure of Drama

6 Fundamental Elements n Aristotle n Poetics (300s B.C.) –Identified elements of a tragedy to be: n plot n character n thought n diction n music n spectacle

Plot n Summary of play’s story; overall structure of the play n Most important element of drama n Includes exposition –gives audience information about early events, present situation, characters

Plot (continued) n Early in plot of most plays, author focuses on a question or a potential conflict –Inciting incident sets the actions in motion n makes audience aware of a major dramatic question

Plot (continued) n Complications –Discoveries & decisions that change the course of the action n Complications lead to climax –Previously concealed info partially revealed & major dramatic question is answered n Resolution –Pulls together various parts of action to reach conclusion

Character n Principal material from which a plot is created. n Incidents develop mainly through speech and behavior of dramatic characters n Must be shaped to fit the needs of the plot, or plot must be shaped to fit needs of characters

Thought n Ideas and emotions implied by the words of the characters n Also includes overall meaning of the play (theme)

Diction n Also referred to as dialogue n Use of language to create thought, character, and incident

Music n Musical accompaniment or arranged pattern of sound that makes up human speech

Spectacle n Visual n Visual aspects of the play n Scenery n Costumes n Makeup n Stage n Stage lighting n Props