DRAMA

AND
THEATER
Drama
Prose or verse telling a story
intended for representation by actors
through dialogue or action.
 The Play
Playwright : person who writes plays.

Script : printed copy of a play.

Acts : the major sections of a play.

Scene : small section or portion of a play.

 The People
Actor: male performer
Actress: female performer

Cast: all performers selected to

portray characters.
Director: instructs actors on how to
portray characters.
 The Theater

A building where a play is performed

containing the stage and seating area
for the audience.
 Areas of the Stage
Backstage: area behind scenery not visible
to audience.
Center stage: area in the center of the
stage.
Downstage: area closest to the audience.

Stage left/right: area to actor’s left or

right as he/she faces the audience.
Upstage: area furthest away from the
audience.

Backdrop: painted curtain without

fullness.
Flats: canvas-covered wooden frames
used for scenery.

Set: all sets and props that help define the

action.
B Upstage B
A A
C C
K K
S Center Stage Stage Left S
Stage Right
T T
A A
G G
E E

Down Stage

Audience
 Stage Directions

Cue: something that precedes the next

action.
Cut: to stop the action.

Exit: to leave the stage.

 Elements of Drama
Plot: the main storyline

Theme: the basic idea of the play

Character: person, animal or thing in the

story
Language: formal setting or dialect

Dialogue: conversation between two or

more characters.
Monologue: one person speaking
Spectacle: visuals involved on stage
Costumes: clothing worn by an actor
on stage to help represent characters.

Props: items used on stage to help

actors tell a story
 Creative Dramatics
Improvisation: to make up or perform
without preparation.
Pantomime: to communicate without
speaking using only facial and body
gestures.
Mimicry: to copy or imitate something
very closely.

Role Playing : to take on the

characteristics of someone or something.
A HISTORY OF DRAMA
Drama began in
ancient Greece dating
back to 543 B.C.
It started as choral
performances of
dancing and singing
honoring the Greek
god, Dionysus, the
god of wine.
The Greeks held their dramas in outdoor
theaters called amphitheaters, the largest
seating 14,000 people.
Theater at
Delphi
 Types of Greek Drama
Tragedy: character is confronted with a
difficult moral choice and usually ends in
his or her death.

Comedy: a humorous entertaining

performance with a happy ending.
In Greek drama, the actors all wore masks
to help the audience recognize the
character they were playing.

The “Agamemnon”
Mask
 550-534 BC Theater of Dionysos
Located at
the bottom of
the Acropolis
in Athens.

Skene
Orchestra
Chorus Proskenion