DRAMA
AND
THEATER
Drama
Prose or verse telling a story
intended for representation
by actors through dialogue
or action.
The Play
Playwright : person who writes plays.
Script : printed copy of a play.
Acts : the major sections of a play.
Scene : small section or portion of a play.
The People
Actor: male performer
Actress: female performer
Cast: all performers selected to
portray characters.
Director: instructs actors on how to
portray characters.
The Theater
A building where a play is performed
containing the stage and seating area
for the audience.
Areas of the Stage
Backstage: area behind scenery not visible
to audience.
Center stage: area in the center of the
stage.
Downstage: area closest to the audience.
Stage left/right: area to actor’s left or
right as he/she faces the audience.
Upstage: area furthest away from the
audience.
Backdrop: painted curtain without
fullness.
Flats: canvas-covered wooden frames
used for scenery.
Set: all sets and props that help define the
action.
B
A
C
K
S
T
A
G
E
Upstage
Stage Right
Center Stage
Down Stage
Audience
Stage Left
B
A
C
K
S
T
A
G
E
Stage Directions
Cue: something that precedes the next
action.
Cut: to stop the action.
Exit: to leave the stage.
Elements of Drama
Plot: the main storyline
Theme: the basic idea of the play
Character: person, animal or thing in the
story
Language: formal setting or dialect
Dialogue: conversation between two or
more characters.
Monologue: one person speaking
Spectacle: visuals involved on stage
Costumes: clothing worn by an actor
on stage to help represent characters.
Props: items used on stage to help
actors tell a story
Creative Dramatics
Improvisation: to make up or perform
without preparation.
Pantomime: to communicate without
speaking using only facial and body
gestures.
Mimicry: to copy or imitate something
very closely.
Role Playing : to take on the
characteristics of someone or something.
A HISTORY OF DRAMA
Drama began in
ancient Greece dating
back to 543 B.C.
It started as choral
performances of
dancing and singing
honoring the Greek
god, Dionysus, the
god of wine.
The Greeks held their dramas in outdoor
theaters called amphitheaters, the largest
seating 14,000 people.
Theater at
Delphi
Types of Greek Drama
Tragedy: character is confronted with a
difficult moral choice and usually ends in
his or her death.
Comedy: a humorous entertaining
performance with a happy ending.
In Greek drama, the actors all wore masks
to help the audience recognize the
character they were playing.
The “Agamemnon”
Mask
550-534 BC
Theater of Dionysos
Located at
the bottom of
the Acropolis
in Athens.
Skene
Orchestra
Chorus
Proskenion