1. Structure of Drama and Theatre

2. Outline Origins of Drama Origins of Drama Meaning Meaning Structure of Drama Structure of Drama Key terms Key terms Aristotle’s key elements Aristotle’s key elements Narrative elements Narrative elements

3. Origins of Drama How would you describe the word “drama”? How would you describe the word “drama”? Alfred Hitchcock says “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” Alfred Hitchcock says “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” Drama is “A literary composition performed on a stage.” Drama is “A literary composition performed on a stage.” How does theatre differ from movies/films? How does theatre differ from movies/films?

4. Key terms Protagonist – the main character. Should be a strong person who experiences happiness or misery as a result of their actions. (Should lead the audience through these emotions.) Protagonist – the main character. Should be a strong person who experiences happiness or misery as a result of their actions. (Should lead the audience through these emotions.) Antagonist – the person or force opposing the protagonist. (Could be physical, mental, or emotional struggle) Antagonist – the person or force opposing the protagonist. (Could be physical, mental, or emotional struggle) Atmosphere – The environment of the play, largely created by staging, lighting, movement and language. Atmosphere – The environment of the play, largely created by staging, lighting, movement and language. Mood – Emotional feeling of the play. Characters, setting, dialogue. (Audience should be able to identify it close to the start. Atmosphere helps develop the mood.) Mood – Emotional feeling of the play. Characters, setting, dialogue. (Audience should be able to identify it close to the start. Atmosphere helps develop the mood.)

5. Soliloquy – speeches where actors talk alone- think aloud- about themselves, their motives or other people. (Reveals a character’s thoughts) Soliloquy – speeches where actors talk alone- think aloud- about themselves, their motives or other people. (Reveals a character’s thoughts) Preliminary situation (antecedent action) – explanation of events that have occurred in the lives of the leading characters before the action of the play begins. Preliminary situation (antecedent action) – explanation of events that have occurred in the lives of the leading characters before the action of the play begins. Sets out the situation in which we find characters at the beginning of the play. Sets out the situation in which we find characters at the beginning of the play. Can be done by using prologues, telephone conversations, narrators, or another character. (I Remember Mama) Can be done by using prologues, telephone conversations, narrators, or another character. (I Remember Mama)

6. Dialogue – lines of a play. (Writers must be sure that the dialogue suits the character.) Dialogue – lines of a play. (Writers must be sure that the dialogue suits the character.) Action – what happens on stage to hold the audience’s attention. Action – what happens on stage to hold the audience’s attention. Denouement – the resolution of the play. It addresses untangling of complications and problems in the play and the resolution of the events. Denouement – the resolution of the play. It addresses untangling of complications and problems in the play and the resolution of the events.

7. Proscenium arch – The arch opening between the stage and the audience. Proscenium arch – The arch opening between the stage and the audience. This was the traditional theatre however the open stage is becoming more popular. This was the traditional theatre however the open stage is becoming more popular. Situation – the problem the plot revolves around. Situation – the problem the plot revolves around.

9. A play has four narrative essentials: Exposition – The information at the beginning of a play that is put to the audience telling where, when, why, who. Exposition – The information at the beginning of a play that is put to the audience telling where, when, why, who. Plot – series of related events that take place before the audience. The development and resolution of a major conflict. Unfolds in several stages. Plot – series of related events that take place before the audience. The development and resolution of a major conflict. Unfolds in several stages.

11. Characters – The characters in a play have to hold the attention of the audience. Characters – The characters in a play have to hold the attention of the audience. Speeches and soliloquies are used to reveal character. It is very important for actors to understand a character’s motivation. Speeches and soliloquies are used to reveal character. It is very important for actors to understand a character’s motivation. Every action of a character must have reasoning behind it. Must be the result of the character’s personality and the situation. Every action of a character must have reasoning behind it. Must be the result of the character’s personality and the situation. Theme – basic idea of the play dramatized through conflict. Theme – basic idea of the play dramatized through conflict. Often left to the interpretation of the audience. Often left to the interpretation of the audience. Sometimes stated directly in the title or in a line. Sometimes stated directly in the title or in a line. Connects everything together in the play. Connects everything together in the play.

12. Aristotle’s Key Elements The early Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) set out the main elements of drama. The early Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) set out the main elements of drama. Spectacle (visible part of the play) Spectacle (visible part of the play) Sounds (the audible part of a play) Sounds (the audible part of a play) Diction (language) Diction (language) Characters Characters Reasoning (the way speech conveys emotion) Reasoning (the way speech conveys emotion) Plot (the actions and events of the play) Plot (the actions and events of the play) He felt was the most important part. He felt was the most important part.

13. Globe Theatre Today

14. Swan Theatre

15. The Heart of Theatre in the US Broadway