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 actors 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
A
C
K
S
T
A
G
E

Upstage

Stage Right

Center Stage

Down Stage

Audience

Stage Left

B
A
C
K
ST
A
G
E

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

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