1. Structure & Varieties of Drama
A short, sweet, and to the point guide (with guided notes – you’re welcome!)

2. The Basics Protagonist: main character
Antagonist: person or force opposing the main character
Plot: series of related events that take place; the development and resolution of the major conflict
The Basics

3. Stages in Plot Structure
Preliminary Situation: explanation of events that occurred before the action of the play begins
Initial incident: first important event from which the rest of the plot develops
Rising action: series of events following initial incident. All or close to all of characters introduced, goals/obstacles are revealed
Climax: turning point of the action – intense crisis that determines the outcome of the conflict
Falling Action: series of events that follow the climax – usually shorter than rising action
Conclusion/Denoument: logical outcome of the preceding action – success or failure
Stages in Plot Structure

4. Characters Characters must be vivid and varied in personality
Dominant traits made evident through speeches and actions
Most important phase of characterization is understanding the character’s motivation
What does this character need/want?
Who/what stands in the way of the character’s needs/wants?
What conditions affect the character’s thoughts, words, and actions?
Why does this character say/do certain things?
Characters

5. Theme Theme: the basic idea of the play
The specific idea that gives unity and purpose to everything that happens
Often left to audience to infer
Moral: a lesson or principle contained within a play or taught by the play
Many plays have no particular moral statement
Theme

6. Tragedy Generally end in catastrophe
Focus is on the protagonist who is engaged in struggles and ultimately is overcome by opposing forces
Struggle can be internal or external
Protagonist has no control over the forces against them once action of play begins – outcome seems predetermined
Tragedy

7. Tragic Characters Often…
Have a flaw or make an error that has serious consequences
Make no apology for their actions
Set goals based on unyielding beliefs
Know that almost everything worth having demands some sacrifice
Are willing to make the sacrifice themselves, never asking another to make sacrifices for them
Tragic Characters Often…

8. Comedy Usually lighthearted, with funny characters and happy endings
Protagonist overcomes opposing forces or achieves desired goals; usually a less- than average person
Comedy

9. Tragedy vs. Comedy
Tragedy
Comedy
Inevitable – there is no way to change or stop the outcome
Universal theme and appeal
Emotional
Protagonist fails to achieve goals
Protagonist alienated from society
Protagonist average or better
Protagonist falls from leadership, losing respect, dreams, position
Predictably unpredictable – you can expect the unlikely
Often time and place oriented
Intellectual, mental
Protagonist achieves goals
Protagonist often becomes leader of new society; even villain is usually accepted
Protagonist less than average
Protagonist achieves success, often as a result of own mistakes or shortcomings

10. Types of Comedy: Low Comedy
Low Comedy: focuses on physical antics, situations/characters are outlandish, play is exaggerated in style/performance
Farce: based on improbably characters and implausible coincidences and events
Includes practical joking, clowning, physical humor – chase scenes, etc.
Parody: a mockery of a certain person or work
Incorporates caricature: exaggerated feature of the subject
Ex: Spaceballs is a parody of Star Wars
Types of Comedy: Low Comedy

11. Types of Comedy: High Comedy
High Comedy: intellectual humor; you have to pay attention, relies on witty dialogue
Comedy of Manners: usually mocks pretenses of the upper class. Uses clever language, puns, ironies,etc.
Satire: ridicules human folly, societal views, or individuals. Usually has the goal of changing something for the better by ridiculing it.
Types of Comedy: High Comedy

12. Melodrama: marked by use of stock characters and implausible plots
Virtuous maiden threatened by evil villain, saved by flawless hero
Presents clear-cut view of morality
Play of Ideas: deals with social problems, usually presents a solution to the problem
Other Types of Drama

13. Styles of Drama Style: the way a play is written, produced, acted
Most plays are representational – audience is watching through fourth wall
Presentational style: acknowledges audience is present; characters address the audience
Avant-garde: applies to new and experimental styles of an art form
Styles of Drama

14. Theatre Styles & Trends
Romanticism
Began in 18th century
Focuses on emotions and imagination
Elaborately staged, feature ideal characters
Love is primary theme
Realism
Dominant style of 20th century
Presents life as it actually is
Outcome makes sense in real world
Theatre Styles & Trends

15. Theatre Styles & Trends
Naturalism
Grew out of realism
Idea that humans have little self-determination but act in response to forces of nature and society that are beyond their control
Symbolism
Uses a character, prop, or piece of scenery to represent something else
Epic Theater
Developed by Bertolt Brecht
Journalistic, nonemotional style
Uses signs, projections, loud speakers to present events
Theatre Styles & Trends

16. Theatre Styles & Trends
Theater of the Absurd:
Presents absurdity of human life
Language is unreliable – dialogue meaningless or illogical
Theatre of Involvement/Participatory Theatre
members of the audience participate
Total Theatre
Involves fusion of all performing arts into one presentation
Theatre Styles & Trends