The Elements of Drama

Drama Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran” Means “To do” or “To Act” The Doing/Acting Makes Drama

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Acts and Scenes Cast of Characters Dialogue Monologue Plot Setting Stage Directions Theme

Elements of Drama Playwright-the author of a play Actors-the people who perform Acts-the units of action Scenes-parts of the acts

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: ACTS AND SCENES An ACT is a group of two or more scenes that form a major division of a play. A SCENE is one part of the action, usually happening in a particular time and place.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: DRAMATIC SPEECH Dialogue- A conversation among characters in a play Monologue-A long speech by one single character (private thoughts). Also, referred to as a soliloquy.

Dramatic Speech Dialogue-conversation between or among characters Monologue-long speech by one single character (private thoughts)

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: CAST OF CHARACTERS A cast of characters is a list that describes who is in the play and often how they are related to each other.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: SETTING Setting is where and when the play takes place. In a play, the setting is usually described in a note or stage direction at the opening of the play and each scene.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: PLOT Plot is the action of main events of a drama. Plot follows the plot diagram like in a novel or short story: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: STAGE DIRECTIONS Stage directions describe details of the setting and sound effects as well as directing characters how to speak their lines, move, act, and look. 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

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

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: THEME Theme is a statement about life around which the playwright builds the play. A play’s theme is its central idea or message.

Conflict The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that create dramatic tension.

Theatre Where a play takes place

Set Construction on the stage that shows time/place Could be called Scenery

Props Small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real

Characterization Is the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters. Indirect Direct