Drama

A drama is a story enacted onstage for a live audience. What Is Drama?

Origins of Drama Origins of Drama The word drama comes from the Greek verb dran, which means “ to do. ” The word drama comes from the Greek verb dran, which means “ to do. ” The earliest known plays... The earliest known plays... were written around the fifth century B.C. were written around the fifth century B.C. produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility

Theatre is Life A wide range of human activities contain theatrical components. A wide range of human activities contain theatrical components. Imitation, role playing, storytelling, many forms of entertainment, and numerous ceremonies and rituals. Imitation, role playing, storytelling, many forms of entertainment, and numerous ceremonies and rituals.

Imitation, role playing, and storytelling Role playing and imitation have a theatrical component: Role playing and imitation have a theatrical component: People assume roles such as doctor, lawyer, salesperson, teacher, and student. Playing these roles require people to adopt the behaviors required by their society. This involves aspects of acting. People assume roles such as doctor, lawyer, salesperson, teacher, and student. Playing these roles require people to adopt the behaviors required by their society. This involves aspects of acting.

Popular Entertainment Certain types of group activities with a strong theatrical component are referred to as popular entertainment. Certain types of group activities with a strong theatrical component are referred to as popular entertainment. Singing, dancing, pantomime, juggling, magic, acrobatics, and dramatic sketches. Singing, dancing, pantomime, juggling, magic, acrobatics, and dramatic sketches. Students: Remember to define pantomime Students: Remember to define pantomime

Cirque de Soleil

A Playing Space A Playing Space A place where people can come together to watch a performance. A place where people can come together to watch a performance. This can be almost anywhere… This can be almost anywhere…

…on a street…

…on a cliff… Shakespeare by the Sea – The Tempest

…in a classroom…

…in a tent… Cirque de Soleil travelling shows

…in a kitchen Mummers – Calvert, Newfoundland

The Audience The Audience Unlike some arts - such as literature or painting - theatre requires more than a single person. Unlike some arts - such as literature or painting - theatre requires more than a single person. It is a communal experience for the audience, this coming together is an essential element of theatre. It is a communal experience for the audience, this coming together is an essential element of theatre.

A tragedy is a play that ends unhappily. Tragedies pit human limitations against the larger forces of destiny. right and wrong justice and injustice life and death Tragedy Most tragedies deal with serious, universal themes such as

The protagonist of most classical tragedies is a tragic hero. This hero is noble and in many ways admirable has a tragic flaw, a personal failing that leads to a tragic end rebelliousness jealousy pride Tragedy

A comedy is a play that ends happily. The plot usually centers on a romantic conflict. boy meets girl boy loses girl boy wins girl Comedy

The main characters in a comedy could be anyone: nobilityservantstownspeople Comedy

A modern play usually is about ordinary people may be tragedy, comedy, or a mixture of the two usually focuses on personal issues Modern Drama

When you read a play, remember that it is meant to be performed for an audience. Stage Directions Playwright describes setting and characters ’ actions and manner. [Wyona is sitting on the couch. She sees Paul and jumps to her feet.] Wyona. [Angrily.] What do you want? Performance of a Play Performance Theater artists bring the playwright ’ s vision to life on the stage. Theater artists bring the playwright ’ s vision to life on the stage. Theater artists Theater artists The audience responds to the play and shares the experience. The audience responds to the play and shares the experience.

Performance of a Play  Theater artists include  Actors  Directors  Lighting technicians  Stage crew

A stage ’ s set might be realistic and detailed Setting the Stage abstract and minimal

The costume director works with the director to design the actors ’ costumes. Like sets, costumes can be detailed minimal Setting the Stage

Props (short for properties) are items that the characters carry or handle onstage. The person in charge of props must make sure that the right props are available to the actors at the right moments. Setting the Stage

Finally, a play needs an audience to experience the performance understand the story respond to the characters The Audience

The End