What is Drama? Types of Drama Elements of Drama Learning About Drama EQ: How is drama different from other types of literature? What is Drama? Types of Drama Elements of Drama

What is DRAMA? Drama is a story told in dialogue by performers in front of an audience. Drama is another word for a play. When you think of drama, you might think of stage plays performed in theatres. However, drama is more than theatre.

DRAMA Drama includes STAGE PLAYS – drama written to be performed on a stage for a live audience SCREENPLAYS – scripts written for films. These will include camera angles and can allow for more scene changes than a stage play.

DRAMA Continued Drama also includes TELEPLAYS – scripts written for television and often contain elements similar to a screenplay. RADIO PLAYS – written to be performed as radio broadcasts. They include sound effects and require no set, stage, or directions that explain movement.

Types of Drama There are 3 main types of drama. Comedy It is light and humorous Has a happy ending Features normal characters in funny situations Written to entertain, but may also point out the faults of society

Types of Drama continued 2) Tragedy – a contrast to comedy a) the events of the drama lead to the downfall of the main character b) character can be an average person, but is often a person of great significance like a king or a heroic figure c) has a tragic ending – ends in catastrophe for the main character d) the cause of the tragedy can be a weakness or flaw in the main character or an evil in society e) written to cause the audience to pity and then to think about the weakness or flaw

Types of Drama Continued 3) Drama – used to describe plays that address serious subjects * usually highly emotional * written to excite emotion from the audience *intended to portray life or to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions

Types of Drama conclusion There are many other types of drama that fall under these 3 main types. For example: melodrama, tragicomedy, comedy of manners, social document, burlesque, pantomime, mime, opera, musical comedy, musical, mystery, murder mystery, farce, problem drama, classical drama, historical drama, expressionism, theater of the absurd, theater of cruelty, mixed media theater, epic, pageant, masque, miracle play, revival, serial, thriller

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA The following elements make drama come to life: The PLAYWRIGHT is the author of a play. The ACTORS are the people who perform the drama. The ACTORS take the parts of the characters.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA CHARACTER is a person or an animal that takes part in the action of the drama. The way a playwright develops a character is called CHARACTERIZATION. This is shown by: 1) what the character says and does, 2) what the character feels and thinks, 3) what other characters say about a character, 4) and what the narrator tells the audience directly. 5) giving a physical description

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Dramatic Speech is the way the story’s action is advanced. 1) Dialogue – conversation between or among characters 2) Monologue – a long speech that is spoken by a single character. Many times it reveals a character’s private thoughts and feelings.

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Stage Directions – the sets of bracketed information that describe the scenery and how the characters should move and speak [ brackets ] are not (parentheses) Theatre or Theater– a place where plays are usually presented Set – the construction on the stage to suggest time and place Scenery – another word for set

ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Props – small movable items that actors use to make their actions look realistic. ACTS are the major divisions or sections of action in a drama. The acts are often divided into smaller sections or subdivisions called SCENES.

What the character says and does What the character thinks and feels What other characters say about that character What the narrator tells the reader directly Giving a physical description