2. Elements Of Drama/Theatre

3. Greek Drama Comes from the Greek word “Dran” Means to do or to act Is a story told in front of an audience

4. Early Drama The earliest known plays... were written around the fifth century B.C. produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility –were written around the fifth century B.C. –produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility

5. Elements of Drama: The elements of drama, by which dramatic works can be analyzed and evaluated, can be categorized into three major areas: literary elements, technical elements, and performance elements. literary elements technical elements performance elements The Elements of Drama

6. Literary Elements Plot: the series of events that take place in a play. There are 6 stages in a plot structure: Initial incident- the event that “gets the story going” Preliminary event whatever takes place BEFORE the action of the play that is directly related to the Play Rising action: a series of events following the initial incident and leading up to the dramatic climax. Climax: the turning point or high point of a story, when events can go either way Falling action: the series of events following the climax. Denouement or Conclusion : another term for the ending-it is the French word for “unraveling”).

7. Literary Elements Character: a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece. Exposition is the “who, when, where and what” part of the play. Story organization: beginning, middle, end Conflict: the internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that creates dramatic tension. Suspense: a feeling of uncertainty as to the outcome, used to build interest and excitement on the part of the audience.

8. Theme: the basic idea of a play; the idea, point of view, or perception that binds together a work of art. Language: in drama, the particular manner of verbal expression, the diction or style of writing, or the speech or phrasing that suggests a class or profession or type of character. Style: the shaping of dramatic material, settings, or costumes in a deliberately nonrealistic manner. Literary Elements

9. Soliloquy: a speech by a single actor who is ALONE on stage Monologue: a long speech made by one actor; a monologue may be delivered alone or in the presence of others. Literary Elements

10. Technical Elements Scenery (set): the theatrical equipment, such as curtains, flats, backdrops, or platforms, used in a dramatic production to communicate environment Costumes: clothing and accessories worn by actors to portray character and period. Props: short for properties; any article, except costume or scenery, used as part of a dramatic production; any moveable object that appears on stage during a performance, from a telephone to a train.

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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. Comic complications always occur before the conflict is resolved. In most cases, the play ends with a wedding. Comedy

16. Stage Directions Found in brackets [ ] Describe scenery and how characters speak C, Center Stage L, Stage Left R, Stage Right U, Upstage or Rear D, Downstage or Front

17. Technical Elements Lights: the placement, intensity, and color of lights to Help communicate environment, mood, or feeling Sound: the effects an audience hears during performance to communicate character, context, or environment Makeup: costumes, wigs, and body paint used to transform an actor into a character.

18. Function of the Scene Design The scene design allows the author of the play to create a sense of Setting

19. Scene Design A subdivision of an act in a play. Each scene usually takes place in a specific setting and time.

20. Performance Elements Acting use of face, body, and voice to portray character Character motivation: the reason or reasons for a character’s behavior; an incentive or inducement for further action for a character Character analysis: in responding to dramatic art, the process of examining how the elements of drama—literary, technical, and performance—are used empathy: the capacity to relate to the feelings of another.

21. Performance Elements Speaking: the mode of expression or delivery of lines Breath control: proper use of the lungs and diaphragm muscle for maximum capacity and efficiency of breath for speaking Vocal expression: how an actor uses his or her voice to convey character Inflection: change in pitch or loudness of the voice. Projection: how well the voice carries to the audience Speaking style: the mode of expression or delivery of lines Diction: selection and pronunciation of words; clarity of speech.

22. Nonverbal expression: Gestures any movement of the actor’s head, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or foot to convey meaning Body alignment physiologically correct posture and use of the body to ensure the maximum capacity and efficiency of breathing and movement Facial expression physical and vocal aspects used by an actor to convey mood, feeling, or personality Character blocking the path formed by the actor’s movement on stage, usually determined by the director with assistance from the actor and often written down in a script using commonly accepted theatrical symbols Movement stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage during performance; also refers to the action of the play as it moves from event to event. Performance Elements

23. 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

24. 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 PlayPerformance 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.

25. Modern playwrights often experiment with unconventional plot structures. Modern Drama long flashbacks music visual projections of a character’s private thoughts

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

27. Stages can have many different sizes and layouts. “Thrust” stage Setting the Stage The stage extends into the viewing area. The audience surrounds the stage on three sides.

28. “In the round” stage is surrounded by an audience on all sides. Setting the Stage

29. Proscenium stage Setting the Stage The playing area extends behind an opening called a “proscenium arch.” The audience sits on one side looking into the action. upstage downstage stage leftstage right

30. Setting the Stage Stages in Shakespeare’s time were thrust stages.

31. Globe Theater

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

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

34. The characters’ speech may take any of the following forms. Dialogue: conversations of characters onstage Monologue: long speech given by one character to others Soliloquy: speech by a character alone onstage to himself or herself or to the audience Asides: remarks made to the audience or to one character; the other characters onstage do not hear an aside The Characters

35. The End