DRAMA Play story acted out live onstage consists

DRAMA Play: story acted out, live & onstage • consists of characters’ words & actions • plot is based on conflict (internal & external), which creates tension • tension leads to climax • conflict is resolved-play ends

DRAMA • Oldest plays were performed in ancient Greece as part of religious festivals. 2 types: tragedy: presentation of serious & important actions that end unhappily – principal characters are noble in class

DRAMA comedy: a play that ends happily – meant to make us laugh & think about things we take for granted • principal characters can be from any class • conflict is usually romantic (misunderstandings & mistaken identities)

DRAMA Modern drama: • may not have a clear cut distinction between comedy & tragedy • focus on personal & domestic conflicts of ordinary people versus royalty (audiences identify with characters rather than look up to them)

DRAMA stage: performance area – can be grand or intimate set: bare stage transformed into a place & time – can be grand or minimal artificial lighting: used to illuminate the stage – can also be used to create tone

DRAMA costumes: dress appropriate for character & time/place of the play properties (props): portable items that actors carry or handle onstage • All elements work together to support action, create mood, & sustain belief in the reality of the play.

DRAMA dialogue: conversation between characters monologue: long speech by one character soliloquy: character’s speech to himself or the audience stage directions: describe how characters move & speak on stage