A. From the Greek “dran” – to do B. 5 th century B.C. Greece C. Honor Dionysus, god of wine/fertility D. Established theater conventions

A. Conflict for characters to resolve 1. Man vs. man 2. Man vs. circumstances 3. Man vs. self (desires) B. Complications – conflict becomes more difficult C. Climax – action that determines the outcome D. Resolution – the end of the conflict

A. Ends unhappily B. Tragic hero – protagonist C. Tragic flaw – personal failing leads to tragedy, usually death 1. pride 2. rebelliousness 3. jealousy

D. Themes 1. right/wrong 2. just/unjust 3. individual vs. higher power 4. Why do we live? 5. How should we die?

A. Ends happily B. Boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy- wins-girl. C. Conflict about romance D. Often ends in marriage E. Life goes on despite our problems

A. Psychological development of characters B. Democratic societies create plays about ordinary people. C. Unconventional structures 1. long flashbacks 2. character’s fantasies 3. include music 4. unusual settings

A. Thrust stage – audience surrounds stage on three sides

B. In the round – audience surrounds stage on all sides

C. Proscenium – audience sits in front of stage

D. Stage directions 1. upstage – away from audience 2. downstage – towards audience 3. stage right – actor’s right when facing audience 4. stage left – actor’s left …

E. Scene design 1. detailed and realistic 2. abstract

E. Scene design 1. detailed and realistic 2. abstract F. Lighting affects mood and appearance G. Costumes H. Props – properties

A. dialogue – conversations on stage

B. monologue – one character speaks to others onstage

A. dialogue – conversations on stage B. monologue – one character speaks to others onstage C. soliloquy – one character speaks alone; reveals thoughts

A. dialogue – conversations on stage B. monologue – one character speaks to others onstage C. soliloquy – one character speaks alone; reveals thoughts D. asides – 1. character speaks to audience or 2. character speaks to one other person onstage and 3. other characters do not overhear

E. Movement on stage 1. Stage directions – written in script by playwright 2. Blocking – movement around stage given by director 3. Business – use of props

A. Plays speak to our experiences B. We recognize universal experiences C. We feel comfort in the shared experience.

A. Exaggerated, stereotyped characters B. Ridiculous situations C. Slapstick comedy