Aristotle’s Key Aristotle’s Key Elements of a PlayElements of a Play

SpectacleSpectacle

The visible part of a playThe visible part of a play

SoundSound

The audible part of a playThe audible part of a play

CharacterCharacter

A person in a playA person in a play

DialogueDialogue

The Spoken Words of a PlayThe Spoken Words of a Play

ReasoningReasoning

The way speech is The way speech is used to present all used to present all aspects of a playaspects of a play

Including the Including the production of production of emotions such as pity, emotions such as pity, terror, and angerterror, and anger

PlotPlot

The action and events of the playThe action and events of the play

Script StructureScript Structure

Script StructureScript Structure

CHARACTER 1: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx CHARACTER 1: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx. Xxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx. Xxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xx xx xxxxxxxxxxx. xxxx xx xx xxxxxxxxxxx. Xxxxxxxx xx xx Xxxxxxxx xx xx xxxxxxx.xxxxxxx.

CHARACTER 2: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx CHARACTER 2: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx. xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx.

CHARACTER 1: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx CHARACTER 1: Xxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx. Xxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx. Xxx xxxx.xxxx.

Script StructureScript Structure

SCENE and ACT divisions. SCENE and ACT divisions.

ACT IACT I

Scene 1Scene 1

Scene 2Scene 2

Scene 3Scene 3

ACT 2ACT 2

Scene 1Scene 1

Scene 2Scene 2

Script StructureScript Structure

(Stage Directions – information provided by the (Stage Directions – information provided by the playwright with guidance how the play should playwright with guidance how the play should proceed. May include:proceed. May include:

intended moodsintended moods

setting descriptionsetting description

notes on gestures / expressionsnotes on gestures / expressions

stage movement)stage movement)*they are written in italics and in parenthesis**they are written in italics and in parenthesis*

Context / Subtext Context / Subtext

CONTEXT – what is said.CONTEXT – what is said. SUBTEXT – what is meant.SUBTEXT – what is meant.

““People go to the theatre to see the People go to the theatre to see the subtext. They can get the context by subtext. They can get the context by reading the play” – Stella Adlerreading the play” – Stella Adler

Stock / Dynamic Stock / Dynamic CharactersCharacters STOCK – doesn’t change during the STOCK – doesn’t change during the

play. play. DYNAMIC – goes through a change DYNAMIC – goes through a change

during the course of the play. Is during the course of the play. Is somehow different. somehow different.

Story HelpStory Help

Conflict – a problem for your Conflict – a problem for your protagonist to solve.protagonist to solve.

Fitting Dialogue to Character – use Fitting Dialogue to Character – use language associates with the language associates with the character type. character type.

Consider time and place – a play in Consider time and place – a play in the 20’s would not contain texting the 20’s would not contain texting abbreviations!abbreviations!

Story HelpStory Help

Avoid “byways” – common Avoid “byways” – common expressions that digress the expressions that digress the conversation. IMHO. conversation. IMHO.

Be economical – theatre thrives on Be economical – theatre thrives on what we see, rely on the actors to what we see, rely on the actors to produce the moments. Sometimes it’s produce the moments. Sometimes it’s better not to rant on and on. better not to rant on and on. Remember subtext!Remember subtext!

People PlacesPeople Places Divorced CoupleDivorced Couple Disney PrincessesDisney Princesses KnightsKnights WWII SoldiersWWII Soldiers CongressmenCongressmen AstronautsAstronauts Lab RatsLab Rats Alien InvadersAlien Invaders CheerleadersCheerleaders Hair StylistsHair Stylists Young LoversYoung Lovers HippiesHippies ProtestorsProtestors Religious LeadersReligious Leaders Soccer MomsSoccer Moms FishFish NerdsNerds CavemenCavemen ScientistsScientists Archaeologists Archaeologists

Gas StationGas Station Stranded HighwayStranded Highway Remote IslandRemote Island New York SubwayNew York Subway Georgia DomeGeorgia Dome Amusement ParkAmusement Park Secret LaboratorySecret Laboratory Training DojoTraining Dojo Pirate ShipPirate Ship Space StationSpace Station House on FireHouse on Fire Swimming PoolSwimming Pool City BusCity Bus AirplaneAirplane Faculty LoungeFaculty Lounge AirplaneAirplane The White HouseThe White House Horse RaceHorse Race Military TankMilitary Tank Mt. EverestMt. Everest

Script RubricScript Rubric

Is it formatted correctly? (Indentions, Is it formatted correctly? (Indentions, stage directions, etc…)stage directions, etc…)

Does it contain at least one stock Does it contain at least one stock character and at least one dynamic character and at least one dynamic character?character?

Does it reflect an awareness of Does it reflect an awareness of dramatic elements? (Spectacle, Sound, dramatic elements? (Spectacle, Sound, Character, Dialogue, Reasoning, Plot)Character, Dialogue, Reasoning, Plot)