Elements of Drama

Story vs. Play When a writer describes a character’s conflict in a novel or story, they can describe it. When a writer describes a character’s conflict in a novel or story, they can describe it. A playwright (person who writes a play; the author) must show it. 1. Through dialogue spoken between characters. 2. Inner Thoughts of a character expressed when the character is on stage alone.

What is a flashback? Break in current time and actions Break in current time and actions Shows what happened at an earlier time Shows what happened at an earlier time Framed by opening and closing scenes set at a later time. Framed by opening and closing scenes set at a later time. Most of “The Diary of Anne Frank” is told in the form of an extended flashback

Stage Directions Appear in the text in italics or slanted font. 1. Tell the actors how to read their lines tone of voice, emotions to express, etc. tone of voice, emotions to express, etc. 2. Describe the sets, props, lighting, and anything else the playwright chooses to specify.

Basic Dramatic Principles What is the major conflict that drives the play forward? What is the major conflict that drives the play forward? What complications develop? What complications develop? At what point does the plot reach its climax? At what point does the plot reach its climax? How is the conflict resolved? How is the conflict resolved?

Character in Crisis Every play centers on a crisis, Every play centers on a crisis, A situation of danger or difficulty that places at risk something of great value to the characters: life, love, family pride, any thing that is precious to them. A situation of danger or difficulty that places at risk something of great value to the characters: life, love, family pride, any thing that is precious to them.

Making a Change Most plays are about changes in characters and in the relationships between characters. Characters that change during the course of a story, novel, or play are called dynamic characters. Characters that change during the course of a story, novel, or play are called dynamic characters. Characters that remain the same during the course of a story, novel, or play are called static characters. Characters that remain the same during the course of a story, novel, or play are called static characters.

The Change Desired in Anne Frank In “The Diary of Anne Frank”, several of the characters want a change in their situation. They are hiding from the Nazis in a small attic in Amsterdam during WWII. In “The Diary of Anne Frank”, several of the characters want a change in their situation. They are hiding from the Nazis in a small attic in Amsterdam during WWII. What is their primary desire? They want to survive until the Nazis are driven out of the Netherlands.

Dramatic Irony Irony is a contrast or difference between what is expected and what is reality. Irony is a contrast or difference between what is expected and what is reality. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters onstage do not know. Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters onstage do not know.

Dramatic Irony We know that Anne Frank is a real person who dies in a concentration camp. We know that Anne Frank is a real person who dies in a concentration camp. This knowledge lends dramatic irony to everything that is said and done onstage—the conflicts and concerns that will vanish in the face of tragedy, the hopes and plans that will never become reality.

The Shock of Recognition When a character’s behavior reminds us of ourselves or people we know. When a character’s behavior reminds us of ourselves or people we know. When we recognize anger or sorrow expressed by a character because it reminds us of our own painful memory. When we recognize anger or sorrow expressed by a character because it reminds us of our own painful memory. When we share in the laughter and tears of other people in the audience, we know we are not alone. When we share in the laughter and tears of other people in the audience, we know we are not alone.

Drama Vocabulary Use these words to fill in blanks Dialogue Dialogue Playwright Playwright Actor Actor Props Props Producer Producer Audience Audience Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony Dynamic character Dynamic character Script Script Static character Static character Set Set Director Director