1. The Basic Elements of a Dramatic Production AND An Introduction to Our Town

2. Terms of a Dramatic Production
A story told by means of a dialogue and action which presents a single and simple problem that is settled during the play – a few characters.
It is divided into acts which are divided into scenes which are made up of actions and words.
Purposes are:
(1) to instruct
(2) to protest
(3) to amuse
(4) to appease the gods
(5) to show what people are like

3. Plot – the action of the play, what happens; three parts
Exposition – the opening part of the play
Sets the action in time and place
Acquaints the audience with the characters
Reveals and begins the conflict
May foreshadow the end of the play
Complication – the development of conflict; climax
Denouement – the falling action – the resolution, it follows the climax. At this point, all loose ends are tied up and the play is “rounded out and finished.”
Climax – the point in the play where the outcome becomes inevitable. The highest point of action. The most exciting part of the action or the most important. The particular moment where the antagonist and the protagonist finally dash for the last time.

4. Characters Protagonist Antagonist Motivation The main character
The character representing the conflict
Motivation
The reasons for the actions in the play. It is expected to be logical, the actor is expected to be “in character.”

5. Conflict Conflict – a struggle between two opposing forces
Interpersonal Conflict
Human vs. Human
Human vs. Nature
Human vs. Society
Internal Conflict
Human vs. Self

6. Man v. Man Man v. Nature Involves conflict between people
Involves conflict between an individual and the natural world

7. Man v. Society
Involves conflict between an individual and larger groups
Man v. Self
Involves characters’ psychological conflicts with themselves

8. Types of Drama Two main categories are:
Comedy – in which the characters undergo embarrassments or discomfitures which are on the whole so managed that they interest and amuse without engaging our profoundest sympathy, and in which the action turns out well for the chief characters
Tragedy – generally applied to the representation of serious actions (Romeo & Juliet) which turn out disastrously for the chief character(s).

9. Melodrama Characters act with very little motivation
(1) has too many ups and downs
(2) contains no transitions
(3) characters are too one dimensional --- bearing little relationship with each other
(4) situations are highly impossible; solutions are incredible or conflicts are overemphasized (You Can’t Take it With You)

10. Setting The scenery or location of the action: It can: Reveal
Provide atmosphere
Influence actions of the characters
Or symbolize what is going on

11. Characters/Characterization
The people in the play
We get to know them:
Through the actions of other characters
By their speech, what they say and how they say it
By the setting or surroundings in which we see them
Their actions and reactions
Through their thoughts if they have a soliloquy

12. Soliloquy & Dialogue
Soliloquy – a situation in which the audience “overhears” a character speaking to himself
Dialogue – what we read, the speech of characters. It does several things:
It must advance the action of the play, it must have relevance to the action
It can reveal past events, predict coming events, given information, give hints, reveal character.
It should be distinct from that of other characters. You should be able to tell who is talking without having to look at the name.
The speech should be life-like and convincing. It shouldn’t sound put-on or fake.

13. The Stage Upstage Right Upstage Center Upstage Left Right Center
BACKSTAGE WALL
Upstage Right
Upstage Center
Upstage
Left
Right
Center
Downstage Right
Downstage Center
Downstage Left
AUDIENCE

14. Terms concerned with dramatic production
Backer – one who finances a production
Props – personal effects and movable property
Producer – in complete charge of everything
Director – guides actors in their performances
Critic – evaluates play against other works
Billing – place of name on marquee

15. Terms concerned with dramatic production (cont’d)
Cast – group of actors
SRO – Standing room only
Dramaturgy – the art of writing plays
Stage space – the cubic volume of stage area
Farce – a satirical play in which the manners and customs of a period are held up to ridicule

16. Our Town Setting Grover’s Corners, NH Classic “Small Town, USA”
Based on Peterborough, NH
Serves as a microcosm of the world at large
Microcosm – a miniature world

17. Themes Life is Precious and Should Be Cherished
Death Gives Meaning to Life
Nature Is the Force that Controls the Destiny of Humanity
Immortality Is Gained Through Union with That Which Is Eternal in Every Individual

18. Main Characters Stage Manager The Webbs (Emily’s family)
The Gibbs (George’s family)
Simon Stimson
Professor Willard
Louella Soames

19. Literary Elements & Techniques
Antirealism
Dramatic irony
Narrator
Pantomime
Staging
Style
Symbol

20. Major Symbols Stage Manager’s watch Trains Tombstones Blooming flowers
Moon
Mountains
Lakes
Gardens
Stage Manager himself?

21. Conventions
Stage Manager (functions as “Greek chorus”; breaks the “4th wall”)
“Mise en scene” (no scenery or props)
Fantasy element (time travel; speaking from the dead)