The Elements of Drama

Drama

* Comes from the Greek Word, “Dran”
* Means “To do” or “To Act”
* The Doing/Acting Makes Drama
* …is a story told in front of an audience

Elements of Drama

* Playwright-the author of a play
* Actors-the people who perform
* Actors-the people who perform
* Scenes-parts of the acts
* Characterization-playwright’s technique for making believable characters


Dramatic Speech

* Dialogue-conversation between or among characters
*Monologue-long speech by one single character (private thoughts


Stage Directions

* Found in brackets [ ]
* Describe scenery and how characters speak
* C, Center Stage
* L, Stage Left
* R, Stage Right
* U, Upstage or Rear
* D, Downstage or Front

Theater

* Where a play takes place

Set

* Construction on the stage that shows time/place
* Could be called Scenery

Props

* Small movable items that the actors use to make actions look real