Drama / Role-play

(A) Basic components of a role-play

Setting

Characters

Problem

Resolution

(B) To do list for writing a script and putting on a play

As a group,
Select a letter/fax/e-mail

Develop an outline for the story

Write the first draft of the script

Give and get feedback on the script using the Script Feedback Form

Rewrite the script to get it right

Give everyone a speaking part in the play

*Select group members to carry out the following tasks:

Make and find props

Make and find costumes

Carry out rehearsals

Give the performance

(C) Playscripts
Features of a playscript
Characters
Narrator
Brackets (..)
Scenes
Stage directions
Colons :
Verbs
Adverbs

Playscript Checklist
Does my playscript have:
a scene heading
an introduction
a Narrator
2 characters
words characters say
colons after characters names
brackets ( ) to show what actors are doing
full stops
capital letters
a question mark
an exclamation mark
1

(D) Performing
How the emotions, feelings or motivations might be conveyed or expressed
Emotions, Feelings
and Motivations
1. Dislike
2. Boredom
3. Happiness
4. Excitement
5. Sadness

Verbal cues

Non-verbal cues

curt replies
uninterested voice
thats great, whoa, light laughing
wow
were sorry, it hurts, crying

6. Confidence

certainly, of course

7. Nervousness

stuttering, false starts

8. Bewilderment

asking questions, oh, my God!

9. Pain

ouch, grunting

10. Anger and

annoyance
11. Superiority

loud voice, imperatives, swearing

pouting mouth, wrinkling nose

rolling eyes, shrugging, looking away
smiling, eyes open wide
jumping up and down, arm waving
hands covering face, quietness,
walking away
good posture, good eye contact, open
chest
biting lip, avoiding eye contact,
breathes unevenly
open mouth, opening hands/arms in a
questioning manner
wincing, holding the part of the body
that hurts
finger wagging, ignoring or not
acknowledging the other person
raised eyebrows, sneering, raised
chin

12. Love (care and

kindness)
13. Love
(attraction)
14. Fear

imperatives that are demanding

get me that, dominating the
conversation
my dear, agreeing, using the
persons name you are addressing
honey, sweetheart, flirting
low and weak voice, screaming

15. Disgust
16. Politeness

holding hands, hugging, leaning

towards the other person
touching hair, brushing up next to the
person, embracing
sniffling. trembling, heavy breathing,
lowering eyes
clenched teeth
giving way to others, opening
doors/pulling out chairs for others
scrunching eye brows

yuk, thats gross

thank you, please, would you
mind
17. Doubt
are you sure?, really?,
questioning
[Adapted from Learning English through Drama (Secondary 4-6) A Resource Package, English Language
Education Section, CDI, EDB]
(E) Common Problems

Changing the scene too often

Impossible to do on stage

Identity not clear to audience

Stage directions not very clear

(F). Tips on performing a play

Dont talk too fast!

Speak up!

ShallIcomparetheet
oasummersdaythou
artmorelovelyandmo
retemporateroughwi
ndsdoshakethedarli
ngbudsofmayandsu
mmersleasehathallt
ooshortadate

I love
you.
I love you!

Put expression in your voice,

face and movements

Let the audience see you!

Keep in character all the time!

Dont panic if something goes

wrong!

Be serious!!

Remember, the audience cannot see the script.

Remember everyone is important

An outstandingly good or bad performance

in a minor role can make a huge difference to
the success of the whole groups presentation.

Writing a drama script

Pre-task

Romeo: Oh please, Juliet Please marry me I can promise you

anything if you marry me.
Juliet: (Delighted) Are you sure?
Romeo: Yes, of course!
.

Analysing a drama script about two lovers

Here is the beginning of a short drama called Valentines
presents.

Underline the following items and

write the letter next to them on your worksheet.

Romantic Restaurant
Scene:
Characters:

A restaurant in Hong Kong, dinner time

Two young lovers: Romeo, Juliet
A waiter

The title of the drama (A)

The place where the drama happens (B)
The people in the drama (C)

(Romeo and Juliet finish a delicious dinner at the

restaurant. Romeo suddenly takes out a bunch of flowers.)

What the people are doing at the beginning (D)

Romeo: Dear Juliet, here are 99 red roses for you!

Juliet: (Surprised) Wow! They are so beautiful! Thank you,
Romeo! They must be very expensive
Romeo: (Kneels down and takes out a diamond ring) Dear, will
you marry me?
Juliet: (Shocked & embarrassed) Oh dear Please stand up,
many people are looking at you.
(The nosy waiter walks towards the table and pretends that
hes adding some water for them.)
Romeo: I will not stand up if you dont marry me.
Juliet: Dont be silly, Romeo Marriage is a very important
thing. I have to think about it carefully

An action somebody does when they are speaking (E)

The feeling somebody has when they are speaking (F)

Romantic Restaurant
Scene:
Characters:

This is the title of the drama (A)

This is the scene or setting, the place where the drama
happens (B)
These are the characters, the people in the story (C)

A restaurant in Hong Kong, dinner time

Two young lovers: Romeo, Juliet
A waiter

(Romeo and Juliet finish a delicious dinner at the

restaurant. Romeo suddenly takes out a bunch of flowers.)

This is a stage direction. It tells you about movement or

actions. Stage directions are written in brackets ( ) and in the
present tense. (D)

Romeo: Dear Juliet, here are 99 red roses for you!

Juliet: (Surprised) Wow! They are so beautiful! Thank you,
Romeo! They must be very expensive
Romeo: (Kneels down and takes out a diamond ring) Dear, will
you marry me?
Juliet: (Shocked & embarrassed) Oh dear Please stand up,
many people are looking at you.

When a person speaks, we write who is speaking

When a new person speaks, we write it on a new line
This stage direction tells us what Romeo is doing while he is
speaking. (E)
This stage direction tells us how Juliet feels. She shows her
feelings in the way that she speaks (F)

(The nosy waiter walks towards the table and pretends that
hes
adding some water for them.)
Romeo: I will not stand up if you dont marry me.
Juliet: Dont be silly, Romeo Marriage
is a very important thing. I have to think
about it carefully
Romeo: Oh please, Juliet Please marry
me I can promise you anything if you
marry me.
Juliet: (Delighted) Are you sure?
Romeo: Yes, of course!

The young lovers dressed elegantly. The clothes people wear

in a drama are called costumes.
Romeo is holding a diamond ring. Small items which the
actors use or hold in a drama are called props

Name:______________________ Class_____ No:_____

Writing a Drama Script

Select a letter/ fax/ e-mail in Policemans File.

Your script must take not more than 5 minutes to perform,
but there can be actions as well as speaking.
Refer to the worksheet of drama ideas for your selected
latter/fax/e-mail.
Every group member must have a role in your drama.
You can use props and costumes.

Write your plan for your drama script here

Characters:

Scene:

Here are some questions for you to think about:

Props and Costumes:

Do you want your drama to be funny or serious?

Do all classmates like the event?
Do you have any interesting ideas?
Will you use props and costumes?

Synopsis*

General points
Dont change the scene. 5 minutes is too short for
this
For a five-minute drama, you will need to write about
2-3 sides of A4 (alternate lines)
Keep everything simple. Can you act it out on stage?
If not, change it

* a synopsis is a brief summary of what happens in the drama.

It should be written in the present tense