The Elements of Drama
Drama
 Comes
from the Greek Word,
“Dran”
 Means “To do” or “To Act”
 The Doing/Acting Makes Drama
Drama…

…is
a
story told
in front of
an
audience
Elements of Drama

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
Playwright - author of
a play
Script – text of a play
Actors - people who
perform
Acts - units of action
Scenes - parts of the
acts
Dramatic Speech




Dialogue - conversation between or among
characters
Monologue - long speech by one single
character
Soliloquy – character alone on stage reveals
private thoughts to the audience.
Aside – a brief remark that a character
expresses to the audience.




Characters –
actors
Conflict – struggle
Plot – sequence of
events
Climax – point of
greatest tension
Stage Directions

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Sets of bracketed
information that tells
what the stage looks
like and how characters
should move and speak
Center Stage = C
Stage Left = L
Stage Right = R
Upstage or Rear = U.S.
Downstage (front)=
D.S.
Theatre

Where a
play takes
place
Set


Construction
on the stage
that shows
time/place
Could be
called
Scenery
Props

Movable objects
that the actors use
to make actions
look real
Dramatic Effect illusion of reality
Theme – insight into
life
Dramatic Conventions
– methods to enhance
the story
Types of Drama

Ancient Greeks
developed drama
and created two
types: Comedy
and Tragedy.
Comedy


a form of
drama that has
a happy
ending.
Stresses the
weaknesses of
ordinary people
or society.
Tragedy


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Tragedy is a form of drama in which events
lead to the downfall of the main character, like
a king or hero.
Tragic hero – main character
Tragic flaw – mistaken action or defect in
character
Chorus – group that comments on the action
Dramatic irony – audience knows but
characters don’t
The Globe
The Globe


The Globe is an
open air theater.
This model shows
the stage from
above
“The Heavens”
“The Pit”
1penny


The the walls and
settings are made
to look elaborate.
Seemingly marble
columns are just
paint

The