DramaDrama

Is defined as a literary genre Is defined as a literary genre meant to be performed. meant to be performed.

Generally we refer to it as a Generally we refer to it as a playplay

The PlayThe Play

Is a representation of man in action.Is a representation of man in action. It is meant to be It is meant to be performedperformed and and viewedviewed by by

playgoersplaygoers A play consists of A play consists of scenesscenes: episodes within a : episodes within a

play.play. It also consists of It also consists of acts: acts: parts or divisions in parts or divisions in

a play like chapters in a book.a play like chapters in a book. A playwright presents characters throughA playwright presents characters through

dialogue,appearance,their actions and dialogue,appearance,their actions and manner of speechmanner of speech

A drama like a short story has A drama like a short story has plotplot

In drama a plot is a series of planned In drama a plot is a series of planned related events. The part in which the related events. The part in which the conflict is introduced, developed and conflict is introduced, developed and resolved.resolved.

Parts of a Dramatic PlotParts of a Dramatic Plot

Exposition/IntroductionExposition/IntroductionExplains who the characters are and why Explains who the characters are and why

they are therethey are thereIt establishes the It establishes the settingsettingIt establishes the It establishes the moodmoodIntroduces the Introduces the conflictconflict

Rising ActionRising Action

The rising action of a play makes the The rising action of a play makes the audience wonder what the outcome audience wonder what the outcome of the play will be.of the play will be.

It includes a series of small incidents It includes a series of small incidents that intensify the conflict and make it that intensify the conflict and make it increasingly difficult to resolve.increasingly difficult to resolve.

Climax/CrisisClimax/Crisis

Reveals a decision, action or event Reveals a decision, action or event which determines the outcome of the which determines the outcome of the conflict.conflict.

ResolutionResolution

Resolves the conflictResolves the conflictAnswers the question asked by the Answers the question asked by the

playplaySolves the problemSolves the problem

Setting in a PlaySetting in a Play

The time, place and circumstanceThe time, place and circumstanceThis is done by the playwright by This is done by the playwright by

stage directions (right, left, indoors, stage directions (right, left, indoors, outdoors, upstage, downstage, outdoors, upstage, downstage, lighting, etc.) lighting, etc.)

Helps establish the mood and the Helps establish the mood and the atmosphere of the playatmosphere of the play

ConflictConflict

In drama conflict is acted outIn drama conflict is acted out It is a struggle between opposing It is a struggle between opposing

forcesforces It acted out as the characters move It acted out as the characters move

and speak on stageand speak on stage

CharactersCharacters

Person in a playPerson in a playWe learn about characters through We learn about characters through

CostumesCostumesDialogueDialogueactionsactions

There may be many types of There may be many types of characters in a playcharacters in a play

1.1. Dynamic: always changing and growingDynamic: always changing and growing

2.2. Static: remaining the sameStatic: remaining the same

3.3. Flat: showing one or a few Flat: showing one or a few characteristics.characteristics.

4.4. Round: well developed character Round: well developed character showing many characteristicsshowing many characteristics

5.5. Foil: a character used to set of another Foil: a character used to set of another character by contrast. Oppositecharacter by contrast. Opposite

Three types of playsThree types of plays

1.1. Tragedy: modern day dramas raise Tragedy: modern day dramas raise moral or psychological questions moral or psychological questions about man’s existence. In tragedy the about man’s existence. In tragedy the central character brings about a series central character brings about a series of unhappy, or disastrous events.of unhappy, or disastrous events.

The central character in a drama is The central character in a drama is called the “Tragic hero”. A person with called the “Tragic hero”. A person with whom the audience can empathize.whom the audience can empathize.

2.Comedy2.Comedy

Involves the humorous treatment of Involves the humorous treatment of an unusual incident., character or an unusual incident., character or thoughtthought

Comedy has a happy endingComedy has a happy endingComedy is the most difficult play to Comedy is the most difficult play to

perform on stageperform on stage

3.Melodrama3.Melodrama

Combines both aspects of tragedy Combines both aspects of tragedy and comedy and is often called and comedy and is often called tragic tragic comedycomedy

The typical melodrama has a villain, The typical melodrama has a villain, clown or comic character and “good clown or comic character and “good people”.people”.

Combines the serious action of a Combines the serious action of a tragedy with the happy ending of a tragedy with the happy ending of a comedycomedy

Three different types of Three different types of stagesstages

1.1. Proscenium stage: is designed to be Proscenium stage: is designed to be seen from the front only.seen from the front only.

2.2. Platform stage: units of wooden Platform stage: units of wooden frames covered with painted canvas frames covered with painted canvas or muslinor muslin

3.3. Arena stage: theatre in the roundArena stage: theatre in the round

Terms to KnowTerms to Know

Antagonist: a character or force Antagonist: a character or force against which another character against which another character struggles.struggles.

Protagonist: the main character of a Protagonist: the main character of a literary workliterary work

Nemesis: agent of retribution (a Nemesis: agent of retribution (a person who punishes)person who punishes)

Terms continuedTerms continued

Dramatic irony: occurs when the audience Dramatic irony: occurs when the audience knows something that the character on knows something that the character on stage is not aware.stage is not aware.

Tragic flaw: a weakness or limitation of Tragic flaw: a weakness or limitation of character, resulting in the fall of the tragic character, resulting in the fall of the tragic hero. Could be one trait.hero. Could be one trait.

Soliloquy: a speech ina play that is meant Soliloquy: a speech ina play that is meant to be heard by the audience but not by the to be heard by the audience but not by the other characters on stage. If no characters other characters on stage. If no characters are present it is to represent the character are present it is to represent the character thinking aloud. A way of letting the thinking aloud. A way of letting the audience know what is in the character’s audience know what is in the character’s mind.mind.

Terms continuedTerms continued

Scenario: is a synopsis or outline of a play. Scenario: is a synopsis or outline of a play. The purpose of which is to clarify the The purpose of which is to clarify the whole play in the writer’s mind and to whole play in the writer’s mind and to make the writer’s wishes absolutely clear make the writer’s wishes absolutely clear to the producer.to the producer.

Subplot: a longer play often include a Subplot: a longer play often include a second conflict which furnishes the basis second conflict which furnishes the basis for the subplot; creates a second line of for the subplot; creates a second line of interest in the play. A subplot should not interest in the play. A subplot should not overpower the main plot.overpower the main plot.

Creating a PlayCreating a Play

Who is involved?Who is involved?

What are they responsible What are they responsible for?for?

ProducerProducer

Co-ordinates and is responsible for Co-ordinates and is responsible for the whole production both technical the whole production both technical and artistic.and artistic.

The troubleshooterThe troubleshooterLiason between all departmentsLiason between all departmentsMake sure everything runs smoothly Make sure everything runs smoothly

and is under controland is under control

Stage ManagerStage Manager

Runs efficient rehearsalsRuns efficient rehearsalsControls all backstage activities once Controls all backstage activities once

the show has startedthe show has startedMakes sure the show is technically Makes sure the show is technically

sound and running smoothlysound and running smoothlyOrganization is crucialOrganization is crucialWorks closelt with the directorWorks closelt with the director

Property HeadProperty Head

Responsible for obtaining, operating Responsible for obtaining, operating and returning stage props.and returning stage props.

Keeps clear legible props listsKeeps clear legible props listsKeeps in contact with director to note Keeps in contact with director to note

changeschanges

FurnishingsFurnishings

Obtain furniture for the setsObtain furniture for the setsCare for and return propsCare for and return propsKeep in close contact with directorKeep in close contact with director

DirectorDirector

The artistic coordinator of the entire The artistic coordinator of the entire showshow

Responsible for the castResponsible for the castWorks with the stage manager and Works with the stage manager and

othersothersMust be consulted on all artistic Must be consulted on all artistic

decisionsdecisions

Set and Costume DesignersSet and Costume Designers

Beware of budget and space/facilitiesBeware of budget and space/facilitiesPrepare model and clear instructionsPrepare model and clear instructionsConstant check on construction and Constant check on construction and

paintingpaintingBe available to discuss problemsBe available to discuss problemsAttend costume rehearsalsAttend costume rehearsals

Set Co-ordinator/PainterSet Co-ordinator/Painter

Helps the designer realize his designHelps the designer realize his design

WardrobeWardrobe

Responsible for costumesResponsible for costumesRealize the costume designer’s Realize the costume designer’s

designsdesignsResponsible for accessoriesResponsible for accessories

Make UpMake Up

Actors should do their own if possibleActors should do their own if possibleSupervisor needed in charge of Supervisor needed in charge of

obtaining and applying special obtaining and applying special effectseffects

Arrange for rehearsals with make up Arrange for rehearsals with make up and lightsand lights

Supervise all make upSupervise all make up

Lighting and SoundLighting and Sound

Designing and actual running of Designing and actual running of sound and lightssound and lights

Cue sheetCue sheet

Actor/ActressActor/Actress

All persons participating in the drama All persons participating in the drama whether it be a staged play, whether it be a staged play, television play or radio play.television play or radio play.

This individual must take on the This individual must take on the persona of the character developed persona of the character developed by the playwright.by the playwright.