Structure of Drama and Structure of Drama and TheatreTheatre

OutlineOutline

Origins of DramaOrigins of DramaMeaningMeaning

Structure of DramaStructure of DramaKey termsKey termsAristotle’s key elementsAristotle’s key elementsNarrative elementsNarrative elements

Origins of DramaOrigins of DramaHow would you describe the word How would you describe the word

“drama”?“drama”?Alfred Hitchcock says “Drama is life with Alfred Hitchcock says “Drama is life with

the dull bits cut out.”the dull bits cut out.”

Drama is “A literary composition Drama is “A literary composition performed on a stage.”performed on a stage.”

How does theatre differ from How does theatre differ from movies/films?movies/films?

Key termsKey terms Protagonist –Protagonist – the main character. Should be a the main character. Should be a

strong person who experiences happiness or strong person who experiences happiness or misery as a result of their actions. misery as a result of their actions. (Should lead (Should lead the audience through these emotions.)the audience through these emotions.)

Antagonist – the person or force opposing the Antagonist – the person or force opposing the protagonist. protagonist. (Could be physical, mental, or emotional (Could be physical, mental, or emotional struggle)struggle)

Atmosphere – The environment of the play, Atmosphere – The environment of the play, largely created by staging, lighting, movement largely created by staging, lighting, movement and language.and language.

Mood – Emotional feeling of the play. Mood – Emotional feeling of the play. Characters, setting, dialogue. Characters, setting, dialogue. (Audience should (Audience should be able to identify it close to the start. Atmosphere be able to identify it close to the start. Atmosphere helps develop the mood.)helps develop the mood.)

Soliloquy – speeches where actors talk Soliloquy – speeches where actors talk alone- think aloud- about themselves, their alone- think aloud- about themselves, their motives or other people. motives or other people. (Reveals a character’s (Reveals a character’s thoughts)thoughts)

Preliminary situation Preliminary situation (antecedent action)(antecedent action) – – explanation of events that have occurred in explanation of events that have occurred in the lives of the leading characters before the lives of the leading characters before the action of the play begins.the action of the play begins.

Sets out the situation in which we find Sets out the situation in which we find characters at the beginning of the play.characters at the beginning of the play.

Can be done by using prologues, telephone Can be done by using prologues, telephone conversations, narrators, or another character. conversations, narrators, or another character. (I Remember Mama)(I Remember Mama)

Dialogue – lines of a play.Dialogue – lines of a play. (Writers must be (Writers must be sure that the dialogue suits the character.)sure that the dialogue suits the character.)

Action – what happens on stage to hold Action – what happens on stage to hold the audience’s attention.the audience’s attention.

Denouement – the resolution of the play. Denouement – the resolution of the play. It addresses untangling of complications It addresses untangling of complications and problems in the play and the and problems in the play and the resolution of the events.resolution of the events.

Proscenium arch – The arch opening Proscenium arch – The arch opening between the stage and the audience.between the stage and the audience. This was the traditional theatre however the This was the traditional theatre however the

open stage is becoming more popularopen stage is becoming more popular..

Situation – the problem the plot revolves Situation – the problem the plot revolves around.around.

A play has four narrative A play has four narrative essentials:essentials:

Exposition – The information at the Exposition – The information at the beginning of a play that is put to the beginning of a play that is put to the audience telling where, when, why, who.audience telling where, when, why, who.

Plot – series of related events that take Plot – series of related events that take place before the audience. The place before the audience. The development and resolution of a major development and resolution of a major conflict. Unfolds in several stages.conflict. Unfolds in several stages.

Characters – The characters in a play have Characters – The characters in a play have to hold the attention of the audience.to hold the attention of the audience. Speeches and soliloquies are used to reveal Speeches and soliloquies are used to reveal

character. It is very important for actors to character. It is very important for actors to understand a character’s motivation.understand a character’s motivation.

Every action of a character must have reasoning Every action of a character must have reasoning behind it. Must be the result of the character’s behind it. Must be the result of the character’s personality and the situation.personality and the situation.

Theme – basic idea of the play dramatized Theme – basic idea of the play dramatized through conflict. through conflict. Often left to the interpretation of the audience.Often left to the interpretation of the audience. Sometimes stated directly in the title or in a line.Sometimes stated directly in the title or in a line. Connects everything together in the play. Connects everything together in the play.

Aristotle’s Key ElementsAristotle’s Key ElementsThe early Greek philosopher Aristotle The early Greek philosopher Aristotle

(384 – 322 BC) set out the main (384 – 322 BC) set out the main elements of drama.elements of drama.Spectacle (visible part of the play)Spectacle (visible part of the play)Sounds (the audible part of a play)Sounds (the audible part of a play)Diction (language)Diction (language)Characters Characters Reasoning (the way speech conveys Reasoning (the way speech conveys

emotion)emotion)Plot (the actions and events of the play)Plot (the actions and events of the play)

He felt was the most important part.He felt was the most important part.

Globe Theatre Today

Swan TheatreSwan Theatre

The Heart of Theatre in the The Heart of Theatre in the USUS

BroadwayBroadway