Introduction to Drama

Definition Unlike short stories or novels, plays are written for the express purpose of performance.

Definition Actors play roles and present the storyline through dialogue, action, and gestures.

Definitions For the most part, plays have no narrators. (There are a few notable exceptions to this rule.) The audience must glean critical information from the action on stage.

Important Terms Monologue – an extended speech by one character. Soliloquy – an extended speech by one character, alone on stage. Soliloquies are used to express the private thoughts of one character. Aside – a character’s direct address to the audience, which is not heard by the other characters.

These techniques function like a fictional narrator. Monologues, soliloquies, and asides are dramatic techniques that provide direct insight into motives, attitudes, and overall tone. These techniques function like a fictional narrator.

Two Basic “Flavors” Comedy Comedies are dramatic works which use humor to explore various themes and characters. Comedies usually end on a happy note. Tragedy Tragedies treat serious subjects and often focus on the tragic hero’s character. Tragedies usually end with death.

More Terms Dramatic Irony Playwrights use dramatic irony when they allow the audience to know more than the characters do about a specific situation or incident.

Terms Act - A unit or division of a play, made up of one or more scenes. Plays may be divided into one, two, or three acts. Scene- A unit or division of an Act. Protagonist – The main character, usually the ‘good guy’ Antagonist – The anti-protagonist, the one who causes the problems for the main characters

Terms Cue - The words or actions at which an actor is expected to deliver a line or a crew member is expected to perform some task. Dialogue - Passages of speech between characters in a play.

Terms Fourth Wall - The imaginary fourth wall that is removed from box set to enable the audience to see the action on stage. Stage Direction - Indications in a script for entrances and exits, and for movement in relation to the set within a particular scene (Stage Right, Stage Left)