Elements of Drama PLOT or story line Every

Elements of Drama

PLOT or story line Every story must have a Beginning… Middle… End… Don’t forget the conflict!!!

What’s in that story? • Monologue (speech by one character to another) • Soliloquy (character, alone, reveals inner thoughts and feelings) • Dialogue (characters speaking to each other)

elements of production Set or scenery the background built on stage to establish time & place for the audience (may be literal or symbolic)

Costumes & makeup These can be used to change an actor’s posture, age, physical build, etc. (change can be real or artistic)

Props The smaller things actors move on stage that add detail & authenticity to a show School bag books

Sound & Lights These can be used to establish setting, mood, period; and build plot & character

Roles The various characters in the play that the actors play Stock characters in Commedia dell’arte

The elements of performance character movement vocal expression speaking style listening acting storytelling

The script 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Title Character List Scene Description (& sometimes a set description) Scene or Act # Dialogue 1. All CAPS = Character name 2. Italics = Stage Directions 3. Regular type = spoken words JAMES – (softly) Tracy? (clears throat) Tracy? (louder, getting braver) Tracy? Wake up, I need to tell you something…

Theatre Spaces Arena Stage Proscenium Stage Thrust stage

Basic Theatre Terms ad-lib – creating dialogue or actions to cover a mistake an act (n. ) – a smaller section of a play (like a chapter) antagonist – the person, thing, or idea that causes conflict for the protagonist aside – line(s) delivered to the audience at rise – the moment the curtain rises, what’s on stage audition – an actor’s job interview a beat (n. )- a change in topic or feeling in a scene blackout – the end of a scene, act, play blocking – the planned movement of actors onstage breaking character – becoming yourself onstage rather than your character to cast (v. ) – to place actors in specific roles in a play character list – the list at the start of a play naming & describing all the characters climax – the high point of the plot where the protagonist must make a choice that determines the outcome of the play cold reading – (part of an audition) when an actor is asked to perform a script he has not been able to prepare ahead of time comedy – a play with a happy ending conventions – practices characteristic of a particular time period or region to cross (v. ) – to move from one place to another on stage cue – a signal for an actor or crew member to do something in a play

Basic Theatre Terms cue line – line of dialogue that tells an actor or crew member some action must be taken denouement – the resolution or falling action in a play (plot) dialogue – lines spoken in a play between 2+ characters diction – the specific words chosen, on purpose, by a playwright discovered – already on stage when the scene begins down-stage turn – turning so your body passes through the full-front position (blocking) drama – a play of serious nature epilogue – a bit tagged on to the end of a play to explain or excuse exposition – the beginning of a play used to provide background information (plot) falling action – the resolution or denouement of a play (plot) focus – the intended point of interest on stage fourth wall – the imaginary “wall” between actors onstage and the audience – like a TV screen gesture – an action performed with the hands, arms or head (nod) holding for a laugh – allowing the audience’s response to begin dying away before continuing intention – what your character wants in a scene interior monologue – the stream of thoughts a character thinks while he/she is onstage monologue – a long speech by 1 character motivation – the character’s reason for doing or saying something

Basic Theatre Terms objective – a character’s goal in a specific scene observation – studying others as sources for your character’s voice or movement off book – not using a script, memorized on book – using a script, not memorized plot – what happens in a play to project (v. ) – to make your performance audible and visible to every audience member protagonist – the main character rising action – the development of the conflict in a play (plot) scene – a smaller division of a play scene description – a detailed description of the set and situation at the start of an act or scene stage business – activities performed onstage as part of your character stage directions – the instructions for what and how to do things in a script (these are not spoken out loud!) stage crew – those members of the show who are not actors strike – to take down, clean up, and put away all materials used for a performance when it is complete subtext – the thoughts/meanings that underlie the actual spoken words theme – what the play is about (an idea) tragedy – a play that ends unhappily for many/most of the characters to upstage (v. ) – to draw the attention from the indented focus in a scene

Types of plays Comedy Tragedy Any play that has a happy ending – A play of serious nature, that is generally sad even if it isn’t funny

Types of plays – broken down… • • • Farce Parody Sentimental Comedy Musical Comedy of Manners Satire Sentimental Drama Melodrama Social Drama Morality Play Drama Tragedy • Theatre of the Absurd • • •

Styles of Plays - how the type of play is “done” Looks like the real thing… 1. Naturalism – “slice of life, ” it is the real thing 2. Realism – theatrical representation of the real thing “Reality” with meaning… 3. Expressionism – resembles the real thing; but colors, shapes, etc may be exaggerated or used symbolically to help develop character or theme Not even trying to be “real”… 4. Theatricalism – pure theatre, not pretending to be anything other than a play Historical “Period” styles… 5. Classic or Neo-Classic – a style consciously imitating the Greek or Roman classics 6. Romanticism – projects the idea of the perfectibility of mankind, optimistic, hopeful, focus on nature