Elements of Drama

A drama, or play, is a story told through characters played by actors.

Playwright - the author of a play

Script - the written text from which a drama is produced. Scripts are made up of dialogue and stage directions. Scripts may be made up of long parts (called acts) and short parts (called scenes).

Stage directions are notes included in a play to describe how something should look, sound, or be performed. Stage directions can describe lighting, costumes, sound effects, music or other elements of a play. They can also describe entrances and exits, gestures, tone or voice, or other elements related to the acting. Stage directions sometimes provide historical or background information. In stage directions, the parts of the stage are described from the actor's point of view.

Dialogue - speech of the actors in a play

Monologue - speech given by one actor

Act is a major part of a play. One-act, three-act, five-act plays are common.

scene - a short section of a literary work, one that happens in a single place and time. There may be a number of scenes in each act, and the number of scenes may vary from act to act.

The Elements of the Spectacle

Spectacle includes all the elements of the drama that are presented to the audience's senses.

set - collection of objects on a stage that create a scene. Furniture, painted backdrops, and walls all help to create a set.

properties - (props)items that can be carried on and off the stage by actors. Examples: swords, packages, and dinner trays.

special effects - special audio or visual elements used in a play. Common sound effects include rain, telephones, and police sirens. Visual special effects can be simple or complicated, depending on the production.

lighting - helps to set the mood and setting. Soft lighting might be used for romantic scenes and bright lighting indicate sunlight.

costumes - clothing actors wear. Costumes often indicate historical periods, occupations, or social status.

Related terms:
suspense - a feeling of anxiousness or curiosity
  • Outstanding Drama for College Bound Students
    • (from the American Library Association)
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