Introductio

n to Drama
What is
Drama?
 Drama is…
• A form of literature
designed to be performed
in front of an audience
• From the Greek word for
action
Types of
Dramatic
Elements
 Literary Elements
Items needed to write the story
– Plot
– Characters
– Setting
– Conflict
– Script
– Story Organization
– Dialogue
5 – Monologue
 Performance
Elements
What the actors do on stage
to make the characters come
alive
–Acting
–Speaking
–Non-verbal Expression
6
 Technical
Elements
Items needed to produce
the play
–Scenery
–Costumes
–Props
–Sound and Music
7
–Make-up
Elements
of Drama
 Playwright
• An author of a play
 Act
• The major division in a
drama
• Classical Dramas: 4 – 5
acts
• Shakespearean: 5 acts
 Scene
• Smaller divisions within
an act

• Time or location may

change when a scene
changes
 Cast of
Characters
• A list of all characters
found at the beginning
of the play

• Called a Dramatis
Personae in classical
drama
 Cast of
Characters
• Characters may be listed
by:
• Order of importance
• Order of appearance

• Often gives a little

description of characters
 Set
• The constructions
indicating where the
scenes take place

• Some sets are very

elaborate, while others
are simple
 Props
• Moveable objects that
the actors use during
the performance
 Script
• The text of the play

• Includes the dialogue

and stage directions
Stage Directions
• Instructions from the
playwright to the actors
and director to tell how
to stage and perform a
play
Stage Directions
• Where to go on the stage
– Stage right (to the right of the person
standing on the stage)
– Stage left
– Center stage (the center of the stage)
– Up stage (to the back)
– Down stage (to the front)
• How to get there
• How to say a line
Visualize It!
Siracusa, Sicily
The Globe
Tennessee
Theater
Types of
Dramatic
Speech
 Dialogue
•Conversation
between two or more
characters
–Dia = Greek meaning
two
–Logue = type of
discourse
 Dialogue
• The pivotal element of a
drama because this is how
the audience and readers
know all the information

• In order for the audience

to know it, the characters
must say it!
 Dialogue
Ms. Voyles: I just love talking
about drama!
Mrs. Steffens: I know what
you mean! It really is
awesome.
Ms. Voyles: I hope the
students will love it as much
as we do!
 Monologue
• A character speaks at
length to silent
listeners
–Mono = Greek meaning
alone/one
 Monologue
• Reveals private
thoughts & emotions
to the audience

• Generally used in a
critical part of plot
 Soliloquy
•Term for monologue
in Shakespeare’s
dramas
–Soliloquy = solo on
stage
 Soliloquy
• A character is alone on
stage speaking at
length to silent
listeners (audience)

• Reveals private
thoughts & emotions
to the audience
 Aside
• Character is on stage
with others but reveals
private thoughts often
to audience
–A character steps ASIDE
and talks to the audience
 Aside
•The other characters
on stage cannot hear

•Often used to add

humor
Types of
Drama
 Comedy vs
Tragedy
Tragedy –
Play
Comedy – ending
Play unhappily
ending
happily
 Tragedy
•Shows the downfall of
the protagonist
•Explores serious topics
and
limitations of human
strength
 Tragedy
•The protagonist is known
as the tragic hero
–Outstanding, noble person
brought down by a tragic
flaw
 Tragedy
• The hero’s downfall is
meant to bring a catharsis to
the audience
•Audience learns a lesson
by watching the hero’s
demise
 Tragedy
•Tragic hero meets an
end because of a tragic
flaw in his/her character
 Tragedy
• A tragic flaw is an out of
control negative character
trait
–Typically align with the
Seven Deadly Sins
Greed Envy
Gluttony
The
End