1. The Elements of Drama

2. Drama Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran” Means “To do” or “To Act”
The Doing/Acting Makes Drama

3. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA Acts and Scenes Cast of Characters Dialogue
Monologue
Plot
Setting
Stage Directions
Theme

4. Elements of Drama Playwright-the author of a play
Actors-the people who perform
Acts-the units of action
Scenes-parts of the acts

5. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: ACTS AND SCENES
An ACT is a group of two or more scenes that form a major division of a play.
A SCENE is one part of the action, usually happening in a particular time and place.

6. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: DRAMATIC SPEECH
Dialogue- A conversation among characters in a play
Monologue-A long speech by one single character (private thoughts). Also, referred to as a soliloquy.

7. Dramatic Speech Dialogue-conversation between or among characters
Monologue-long speech by one single character (private thoughts)

8. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: CAST OF CHARACTERS
A cast of characters is a list that describes who is in the play and often how they are related to each other.

9. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: SETTING
Setting is where and when the play takes place.
In a play, the setting is usually described in a note or stage direction at the opening of the play and each scene.

10. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: PLOT
Plot is the action of main events of a drama.
Plot follows the plot diagram like in a novel or short story:
exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

11. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: STAGE DIRECTIONS
Stage directions describe details of the setting and sound effects as well as directing characters how to speak their lines, move, act, and look.
Found in brackets [ ]
Describe scenery and how characters speak
C, Center Stage
L, Stage Left
R, Stage Right
U, Upstage or Rear
D, Downstage or Front

12. Stage Directions Found in brackets [ ]
Describe scenery and how characters speak
C, Center Stage
L, Stage Left
R, Stage Right
U, Upstage or Rear
D, Downstage or Front

13. ELEMENTS OF DRAMA: THEME
Theme is a statement about life around which the playwright builds the play.
A play’s theme is its central idea or message.

14. Conflict
The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or interests that create dramatic tension.

15. Theatre
Where a play takes place

16. Set Construction on the stage that shows time/place
Could be called Scenery

17. Props
Small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real

18. Characterization
Is the playwright’s technique for creating believable characters.
Indirect
Direct