The Elements of Drama

Introduction to Drama

• What is DRAMA?– A drama or play is a form of literature that is performed for an audience either on stage or before a camera

The Elements of Drama• Drama, like fiction, tells a story

with characters, setting, and plot

• Drama is meant to be performed for an audience and is written in the form of a script

Understanding the Elements

• Cast of Characters– A script usually begins with a list of characters

– List includes a short description of each character

Understanding the Elements• Dialogue

– DIALOGUE = conversation between characters

– Plot and characterization is revealed through dialogue

– Dialogue appears in lines next to the characters’ names

Understanding the Elements• Stage Directions

– Instructions for the performer, director, and stage crew

– Printed in italics and enclosed in (parentheses)

–Describe scenery, props, movement and speech

Understanding the Elements• Acts and Scenes

– The action of a play is divided into scenes• A scene changes when the setting, time, place, or both changes.

– Sometimes scenes are grouped into acts.

Exit Slip

• Use the play “Sleepy Hollow” to answer the following prompts on your paper

• Name of character. Description of character.

• A line of dialogue and what it REVEALS about a character or the story

• An example of a stage direction

• This play is divided into...