The Elements of Drama
6th Grade Language Arts
Drama- a story that is meant to be
performed
 Comes
from the Greek Word,
“Dran”
 Means “To do” or “To Act”
 The Doing/Acting Makes Drama
Elements of Drama


Playwright-the
author of a play
Script – the written
story available for
everyone involved
in performing
Elements of Drama



Actors / Cast -the
people who
perform
Acts - the units of
action
Scenes - parts of
the acts
Elements of Drama
Characterization playwright’s
technique for
making
memorable
characters
Dramatic Speech


Dialogue conversation
between or among
characters
Monologue - long
speech by one
single character
(private thoughts)
Stage Directions- notes in a script that
describe how it should be performed (not
spoken aloud when read)


Often found in brackets [ ]
or italics or ( )
Describe scenery, props
and how characters act,
speak, and/or move
Stage directions
Stage directions
Theater
Where a play
takes place
 Anywhere can
become a
theater!

Set


Construction on
the stage that
shows time/place
Could be called
scenery
Props

Small movable
items that the
actors use to
make actions
look real
Narrator


A speaker who helps to tell the story
(usually not a character)
Normally used to give an introduction to
the act or scene
(Doctor is sitting next to Prince Arthur’s bedside.)
16TH CENTURY DOCTOR: Don't worry Prince Arthur, I've already got the
leaches ready to bleed you. You'll be feeling fit as a fiddle in a moment.
(Exit Arthur and 16th Century Doctor.)
NARRATOR: And, that was that. In 1502, at the age of fifteen, Arthur died and
the short marriage was over...
(Enter Catherine of Aragon and Stage-Hand.)
CATHERINE OF ARAGON: My Lord, your army won a great victory over the
Scottish at Flodden Field.
HENRY VIII: That's wonderful news, Catherine!
NARRATOR: Two years later, there was more good news for Big Hal.
(Stage-hand bows and presents a doll to Catherine of Aragon. Catherine of Aragon
happily shows child to Henry VIII.)
CATHERINE OF ARAGON: And, this is our daughter Mary. Doesn't she have a
cute smile?
NARRATOR: Unfortunately, Big Hal believed that a male heir was essential to
prevent rival claims to the throne leading to another civil war and consolidate the
Tudor Dynasty.
HENRY VIII: A daughter? I need a son! What's the matter with you woman? She
can't play football and she can't be a strong king.