Elements of Drama

C HARACTER

The performer takes on the persona, physicality, vocal qualities and given circumstances of the character; the
character’s relationships with other characters are defined by their particular history, motivations, desires and
ways of seeing the world.

– Role: Who are you?

– Status: The position or power you have in the society
– Motivation: Why do you want to do something? (you have an option)
– Attitudes: How you behave?
– Beliefs: Are what you believe.
– Situation: What is happening?
– Context: How? When and why is it happening?

THE HUMAN CONTEXT

ROLE : A ROLE IS AN IDENTITY TAKEN ON BY THE ACTOR. IT PROVIDES DETAILS ON THE CHARACTER’S
DESIRES, MOTIVATIONS AND PERSONALITY.

RELATIONSHIP : THE RELATIONSHIP SHOWS YOU HOW CHARACTERS INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND
THEIR ENVIRONMENT. RELATIONSHIP DEMONSTRATES HOW CHARACTERS FEEL ABOUT EACH OTHER.

SITUATION : THE SITUATION REFERS TO THE CIRCUMSTANCE THE CHARACTER IS PUT IN. SITUATION
PROVIDES INFORMATION ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SCENE AND WHY IT IS HAPPENING.

D RAMATIC TENSION

The driving force of drama by engaging audience and creating anticipation and excitement

– Tension of Task: doing something. To have a goal that needs to be achieved.

– Tension of Relationship: Intimacy, misunderstanding, ceremony and dilemma, conflict
– Tension of Surprise: Expected and unexpected
– Tension of Mystery: Conscious recognition of the unknown

F OCUS

Focus is the process whereby the action is framed and highlighted. Focus, or the point of concentration is
maintained by considering the use of the following: Space, Place, Patterns, Props, Gestures, Eye contact, Vocals
and Contrast.

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SPACE /PLACE

The physical space/place of the performance and audience, the fictional space/place of the dramatic action
and the emotional space between characters. The use of space/place in the creation of dramatic action,
staging and positioning of the audience to performers; space also encompasses the levels, shape, proxemics,
use of architecture and groupings to communicate through dramatic action.
T IME

Refers to the time or period in which dramatic action is set and the management of tempo, pace and rhythm in
dramatic action.

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LANGUAGE

Refers to the way that ideas and feelings are expressed dramatically; it encompasses the selection of words,
delivery of language through voice and the use of body language to express meaning.

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MOVEMENT

The aspects of a performer’s body used to construct character or role, make meaning, convey emotional
qualities as well as communicate relationships. These include energy, facial expressions, dynamic visual
vocabulary, gesture, posture, proxemics and weight.

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MOOD

The atmosphere created through the dramatic action. Mood describes the feelings and attitudes (often
combined) of the roles or characters involved in dramatic action often supported by other Elements of Drama
as well as design elements. The mood is the emotional impact intended by the playwright, director and/or
other members of the creative team.

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SYMBOL

Associations that occur when something is used to represent something else to reinforce or extend dramatic
meaning. Symbols may be objects, sound, actions and images used as signs, which are ascribed with
significance or meaning.

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D RAMATIC MEANING

The meaning/s or message/s communicated by manipulating the dramatic languages to create dramatic
action; the creator/s may have a meaning they are attempting to communicate and audiences may receive
multiple meanings according to their own interpretation of the dramatic work.