The Basic Elements of a The Basic Elements of a Dramatic Production Dramatic Production

ANDANDAn Introduction to An Introduction to

Our TownOur Town

Terms of a Dramatic Production Drama

A story told by means of a dialogue and action which presents a single and simple problem that is settled during the play – a few characters.

It is divided into acts which are divided into scenes with are made up of actions and words.

Purposes are: (1) to instruct (2) to protest (3) to amuse (4) to appease the gods (5) to show what people are like

Plot – the action of the play, what happens; three parts Exposition – the opening part of the play

Sets the action in time and place Acquaints the audience with the characters Reveals and begins the conflict May foreshadow the end of the play

Complication – the development of conflict; climax Denouement – the falling action – the resolution, it follows the

climax. At this point, all loose ends are tied up and the play is “rounded out and finished.”

Climax – the point in the play where the outcome becomes inevitable. The highest point of action. The most exciting part of the action or the most important. The particular moment where the antagonist and the protagonist finally dash for the last time.

Characters

Protagonist The main character

Antagonist The character representing the conflict

Motivation The reasons for the actions in the play. It is

expected to be logical, the actor is expected to be “in character.”

Conflict

Interpersonal Conflict

Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature Human vs. Society

Internal Conflict Human vs. Self

Conflict – a struggle between two opposing forces

Man v. Man

Involves conflict between people

Man v. Nature

• Involves conflict between an individual and the natural world

Man v. Self

Involves characters’ psychological conflicts with themselves

Man v. Society

• Involves conflict between an individual and larger groups

Types of DramaTypes of Drama Two main categories are:Two main categories are:

ComedyComedy – in which the characters undergo – in which the characters undergo embarrassments or discomfitures which are on the embarrassments or discomfitures which are on the whole so managed that they interest and amuse whole so managed that they interest and amuse without engaging our profoundest sympathy, and without engaging our profoundest sympathy, and in which the action turns out well for the chief in which the action turns out well for the chief characterscharacters

TragedyTragedy – – generally applied to the representation of serious actions (Romeo & Juliet) which turn out disastrously for the chief character(s).

Melodrama Characters act with very little motivation

(1) has too many ups and downs (2) contains no transitions (3) characters are too one dimensional --- bearing little

relationship with each other (4) situations are highly impossible; solutions are

incredible or conflicts are overemphasized (You Can’t Take it With You)

Setting

The scenery or location of the action: It can:

Reveal Provide atmosphere Influence actions of the characters Or symbolize what is going on

Characters/Characterization

The people in the play We get to know them:

Through the actions of other characters By their speech, what they say and how they say it By the setting or surroundings in which we see them Their actions and reactions Through their thoughts if they have a soliloquy

Soliloquy & DialogueSoliloquy & Dialogue Soliloquy – a situation in which the audience Soliloquy – a situation in which the audience

“overhears” a character speaking to himself“overhears” a character speaking to himself Dialogue – what we read, the speech of characters. Dialogue – what we read, the speech of characters.

It does several things:It does several things: It must advance the action of the play, it must have relevance to the It must advance the action of the play, it must have relevance to the

actionaction It can reveal past events, predict coming events, given information, It can reveal past events, predict coming events, given information,

give hints, reveal character.give hints, reveal character. It should be distinct from that of other characters. You should be able It should be distinct from that of other characters. You should be able

to tell who is talking without having to look at the name.to tell who is talking without having to look at the name. The speech should be life-like and convincing. It shouldn’t sound put-The speech should be life-like and convincing. It shouldn’t sound put-

on or fake.on or fake.

The StageThe Stage

Upstage Right

Upstage Center

Upstage Left

Right Center Left

Downstage Right

Downstage Center

Downstage Left

AUDIENCE

BACKSTAGE WALL

Terms concerned Terms concerned with dramatic productionwith dramatic production

Backer – one who finances a productionBacker – one who finances a production Props – personal effects and movable propertyProps – personal effects and movable property Producer – in complete charge of everythingProducer – in complete charge of everything Director – guides actors in their performancesDirector – guides actors in their performances Critic – evaluates play against other worksCritic – evaluates play against other works Billing – place of name on marqueeBilling – place of name on marquee

Terms concerned Terms concerned with dramatic production (cont’d)with dramatic production (cont’d)

Cast – group of actorsCast – group of actors SRO – Standing room onlySRO – Standing room only Dramaturgy – the art of writing playsDramaturgy – the art of writing plays Stage space – the cubic volume of stage areaStage space – the cubic volume of stage area Farce – a satirical play in which the manners Farce – a satirical play in which the manners

and customs of a period are held up to ridiculeand customs of a period are held up to ridicule

Our Town Our Town SettingSetting

Grover’s Corners, NHGrover’s Corners, NH Classic “Small Town, USA”Classic “Small Town, USA” 1901-19131901-1913 Based on Peterborough, NHBased on Peterborough, NH Serves as a Serves as a microcosm microcosm of the of the

world at largeworld at large

Microcosm – a miniature worldMicrocosm – a miniature world

ThemesThemes

Life is Precious and Should Be CherishedLife is Precious and Should Be Cherished Death Gives Meaning to LifeDeath Gives Meaning to Life Nature Is the Force that Controls the Destiny Nature Is the Force that Controls the Destiny

of Humanityof Humanity Immortality Is Gained Through Union with Immortality Is Gained Through Union with

That Which Is Eternal in Every IndividualThat Which Is Eternal in Every Individual

Main CharactersMain Characters

Stage ManagerStage Manager The Webbs (Emily’s The Webbs (Emily’s

family)family) The Gibbs (George’s The Gibbs (George’s

family)family) Simon StimsonSimon Stimson Professor WillardProfessor Willard Louella SoamesLouella Soames

Literary Elements & TechniquesLiterary Elements & Techniques

AntirealismAntirealism Dramatic ironyDramatic irony NarratorNarrator PantomimePantomime StagingStaging StyleStyle SymbolSymbol

Major SymbolsMajor Symbols

Stage Manager’s watchStage Manager’s watch TrainsTrains TombstonesTombstones Blooming flowersBlooming flowers MoonMoon MountainsMountains LakesLakes GardensGardens Stage Manager himself?Stage Manager himself?

ConventionsConventions

Stage Manager (functions as “Greek chorus”; breaks Stage Manager (functions as “Greek chorus”; breaks the “4the “4thth wall”) wall”)

““Mise en scene” (no scenery or props)Mise en scene” (no scenery or props) Fantasy element (time travel; speaking from the dead)Fantasy element (time travel; speaking from the dead)