the Vocabulary of DRAMA Understanding the Vocabulary of DRAMA

drama Drama is a story told in dialogue by performers in front of an audience.

playwright The playwright is the author of the play. Famous Playwright-Rod Serling author of “The Twilight Zone” series.

actors Actors are the people who perform the play.

Acts Acts are the units of action in a drama. Act I Act II

Scenes Acts are often divided into parts called scenes. Act I Scene 1

characterization Characterization is the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters.

dialogue Dialogue is a conversation between or among characters.

monologue Monologue is a long speech that is spoken by a single character. It often reveals the character’s private thought and feelings. Another word for monologue is soliloquy.

stage directions Stage directions are the sets of bracketed information that describe the scenery and how the characters should move and speak. [exit stage left]

theatre A theatre is a place where plays are usually presented.

set Set is the term for the construction on stage that suggests the time and place of the action. Scenery is another word for set.

props Props are small movable items, such as a doctor’s clipboard or a student’s notebook, that the actors use to make their actions look realistic.

Three Types of Drama Comedy Tragedy Drama

Comedy Comedy – This type of drama has a happy ending and often features normal characters in funny situations. Comedies can be written to entertain, but they can also point out the faults of society.

Tragedy Tragedy is often contrasted with comedy. The distinguishing feature of a tragedy is that the events lead to the downfall of the main character. The character can be an ordinary person, but often is a person of great significance, like a king or heroic figure.

Drama Drama is a word often used to describe plays that address serious subjects.

Types of Plays Screenplay Teleplay Radio plays

screenplays Screenplays are the scripts for films. They include camera angles and can allow for more scene changes than a play.

teleplays Teleplays are scripts written for television and often contain elements similar to a screenplay.

Radio plays Radio plays are written to be performed as radio broadcasts. They include sound effects and require no set, stage or directions that explain movement.

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