The Elements of Drama

What is Drama? Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from the Greek word "dran" meaning "action.” The enactment of drama in theatre is performed by actors on a stage before an audience. Drama is often combined with music and dance: the drama in opera is generally sung throughout; musicals generally include both spoken dialogue and songs; and some forms of drama have incidental music or musical accompaniment underscoring the dialogue. In certain periods of history some dramas have been written to be read rather than performed (such as the Odyssey). In improvisation, the drama does not pre-exist before the moment of performance; performers devise a dramatic script spontaneously before an audience (comedians).

The Shock of Recognition If a play succeeds, we feel what is called “the shock of recognition.” If we recognize ourselves onstage as being foolish, or just human, we laugh. If we recognize our own anguish or sorrow, we cry. We also realize in the laughter and tears of other people in the audience that we are not alone. Sometimes audiences become so emotionally involved with a play that they react as if what is happening on stage is actually true.

Dialogue Dialogue is the most important part of a play. It is the part that tells the story and develops the characters. It needs to move the events of the play towards the end as quickly as possible. There is no time to give a lot of background information or details of what is going on in the play. That is why we do a background information discovery activity so that you have a context (setting) in which to place a story. Dialogue in a play also gives hints about the characters. The way something is said is very important.

The Object of the Play The object (or objective) of a play is to make you, the audience, cry, laugh, afraid, anxious, excited, or any other emotion that connects you to the characters and the play’s message. Without this, the play is merely a spectacle of people making fools of themselves in front of a large group.

The Crisis At the core of every play is a crisis, which means that people are placed in jeopardy, in a situation in which they have a great deal at stake: life, love, happiness, belief in self, anything that is precious to them. The crisis may arise because the characters want something which puts them in conflict with someone else or with themselves. You already know the different types of conflicts- Internal and External. The crisis may also arise because they are seriously threatened by someone or something, in which case they want to remove the threat.

Elements of Plot In your notes, define each of the following terms for the Elements of Plot- Exposition Rising Action Climax Falling Action Resolution Theme Setting

Character and Change Most plays are about change; changes in the characters and changes in relationships. In the “Diary of Anne Frank” many of the characters change. We will be watching for this change and watching how the characters develop into different people as we read the play.