Drama

A drama is a story enacted onstage for a live audience. What Is Drama?

Origins of Drama Origins of Drama The word drama comes from the Greek verb dran, which means “to do.” The word drama comes from the Greek verb dran, which means “to do.” The earliest known plays... The earliest known plays... were written around the fifth century B.C. were written around the fifth century B.C. produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility produced for festivals to honor Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility

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

Like the plot of a story, the plot of a play involves characters who face a problem or conflict. Climax point of highest tension; action determines how the conflict will be resolved Resolution / Denoument conflict is resolved; play ends Complications / Rising Action tension builds Exposition characters and conflict are introduced conflict Dramatic Structure Basic Situation Action before or as the curtain opens

Literary Elements Plot: the series of events that take place in a play. There are 6 stages in a plot development: Basic Situation whatever takes place BEFORE or as the curtain opens and is directly related to the Play Exposition: characters and conflict is introduced Initial or Inciting incident- the event that “gets the story going” 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, the highest point of suspense. Falling action: the series of events following the climax. Denouement or Resolution : another term for the ending-it is the French word for “unraveling”).

Literary Elements Character: a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece. Setting: the time and place of the scene action or event Theme: the basic idea of a play; the message or moral of the play Story organization: Begins with a prologue or introduction, narrator narrates story, stage directions indicated, starts with scene 1 or opening setting, Act 1 or action of play and ends with narrator's final comments and final scene directions. 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.

Dialogue: in drama, the conversation between characters. Prologue: (Greek, from the word pro (before) and lógos, or logic) is an opening to a story that establishes the setting and gives background. Literary Elements

The characters’ speech may take any of the following forms. 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

Literary Elements A description or account from one point of view, especially as opposed to another Version: A composition that has been recast into a new form: The play is an adaptation of a short novel Adaptation:

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: Any moveable object that appears on stage during a performance.

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. Technical Element

Technical Elements Stage Directions: In the script of a play, the instructions to the actors, and stage crew. Stage directions might suggest scenery, lighting, sound effects, and ways for actors to move and speak. (Stage directions often Appear in parenthesis and In italic type)

Performance Elements Act: One of the major divisions of a play Scene: Within an act, any time you change time or location Narrator: a character who SETS THE SCENE for the play and COMMENTS on the action Action: The series of events and episodes that form the plot of a story or play Character motivation: the reason or reasons for a character’s behavior; an incentive or inducement for further action for a character

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 Play Performance 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.

A tragedy is a play 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

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