1. Drama Notes

2. 1. Leading roles—main/major characters.
Types of Acting Roles
1. Leading roles—main/major characters.
2. Supporting roles—minor characters

3. Four types of stages 1. Proscenium stage.
Proscenium--the arch or frame enclosing the visible stage; the opening between the stage and the house.
Proscenium Arch
Stage Floor
Curtain line
Apron

4. Arena Stage
audience
audience
audience
audience

5. Thrust Stage
audience
audience
audience

6. Stage directions
Stage directions –instructions in parentheses ( ) that show emotion or action

7. Common Stage Directions
enter- -coming on stage
exit- -leaving the stage
cross—moving from one side of the stage to the other

8. Stages used to be built with a rake or slope:
Back of stage
Front of stage
(audience)

9. Why would they need a rake?
So the whole audience could see the stage

10. Do most stages have a rake today? Why not?
No; the audience is raked (sloped) instead.

11. Today, upstage is the direction away from the audience.
Downstage is towards the audience.
Stage left and stage right are set to the actors’ perspective.
The area in which the audience sits is called the house.

12. The stage is divided into 9 main areas
Front of stage

13. The stage is divided into 9 main areas
Center Stage CS
Front of stage

14. The stage is divided into 9 main areas
Stage Right
Center Stage CS
Stage Left
Front of stage

15. The stage is divided into 9 main areas
Up Stage
Stage Right
Center Stage CS
Stage Left
Down Stage
Front of stage

16. The stage is divided into 9 main areas
Up Stage Center
USC
USR
USL
Center Stage Right
CSR
Center Stage CS
Center Stage Left
CSL
Down Stage Center
DSC
DSR
DSL
Front of stage

17. Comedies are light, humorous stories with happy endings.
Two Main Types of Drama
Comedies are light, humorous stories with happy endings.
Tragedies are serious stories that often end in the downfall or deaths of major characters.

18. What do the two masks often seen as a symbol of drama represent?
They represent comedy (smiling mask) and tragedy (sad mask).

19. Mood is the feeling a story or perfomance conveys.

20. What rescources can you use to create mood on stage?
Lighting
Sound
Set/Scenery
Props
Costumes
Makeup and Hair

21. Costumes—clothes actors wear, appropriate to their characters
Make-up—can be used to enhance facial features or to change actors’ appearances
Props--items carried on stage
Set—backdrop and scenery for a play, movie, or similar performance.

22. Information ranging from specific details to general references to costuming, props, and set can often be found in the stage directions, but must be interpreted by designers.

23. Set Design Basics
Curved lines and round shapes are usually found in comedies.
Straight lines and sharp angles are usually found in tragedies.

24. Happiness—yellow, orange…
Color and Emotions
Happiness—yellow, orange…

25. Color and Emotions
Anger—red, black….

26. Color and Emotions
Sadness—gray, blue…

27. Calmness—light greens, light blues
Color and Emotions
Calmness—light greens, light blues

28. Color and Emotions
Life—green, yellow…

29. Color and Emotions
Death—black…