Anglo American Literature
Anglo American Literature
WHAT IS DRAMA?
Adrama, or a play, is a piece of writing that is presented almost
exclusively through dialogue. Like a short story or novel, it has a
setting, characters, plot, and even symbolism.
6 ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
ACT
The units of the action, usually divided into parts
Anactis a division or unit of atheatrework, including
Scene
Changes when the location of the action shifts
or when a new character enters.
Characterizationor characterisation
is the concept of creatingcharactersfor a narrative.
It is a literaryelementand may be employed
indramaticworks of art or everyday
conversation.Charactersmay be presented by
means of description, through their actions, speech,
thoughts and interactions with othercharacters
Indirectorimplicit characterization
Stagecraft
is the technical aspect of theatrical, film, and video production. It
includes constructing and rigging scenery, hanging and focusing
of lighting, design and procurement of costumes, makeup,
procurement ofprops, stage management, and recording and
mixing of sound.
set dressings, and all items large and small which cannot
be classified as scenery, electrics or wardrobe. Some
crossover may apply. Props handled by actors are known as
hand props, and props which are kept in an actor's
costume are known as personal props.
Wardrobe:costume design,construction,
procurement and maintenance.
Audience
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually
public) performance
DIALOGUE
- CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS
Identifies the characters for the audience.
Reveals character relationship
Carries the story along
Stimulates the audience to emotion and ideas.
The verbal exchanges between characters.
TYPES OF STAGES
PROSCENIUM STAGE
Aproscenium(Greek:) is the metaphorical
vertical plane of space in atheatre, usually surrounded on the
top and sides by a physicalproscenium arch(whether or not
truly "arched") and on the bottom by the stage floor itself,
which serves as the frame into which the audience observes
from a more or less unified angle the events taking place upon
thestageduring a theatrical performance. The concept of
thefourth wall of the theatre stage space that faces the
audience is essentially the same.
THRUST STAGE
athrust stage(also known as aplatform stageoropen
stage)is one that extends into the audience on three sides
and is connected to the backstage area by itsupstageend. A
thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy between
performers and the audience than aproscenium, while
retaining the utility of a backstage area. Entrances onto a
thrust are most readily made from backstage, although some
theatres provide for performers to enter through the
audience usingvomitoryentrances.
IN-THE-ROUND STAGE
Theatre-in-the-roundorarena theatre(also referred
ascentral staging) is anytheatrespace in which the
audience surrounds the stage area.
TRAVERSE STAGE
Atraverse stageis a form of theatricalstagein which the
audience is predominantly on two sides of thestage, facing
towards each other. Thestageis also commonly known as
an alley or corridorstage.
TYPES OF DRAMA
Example 1
Example 2
Sophocles mythical and immortal drama,Oedipus Rex,is
thought to be his best classical tragedy. Aristotle has adjudged
this play as one of the greatest examples of tragic drama in his
book, Poeticsby giving following reasons: The play arouses
emotions ofpityandfear, and achieves the tragickatharsis.
Example 3
Oscar Wildes play,The Importance of Being Earnest, is a very popular
example of Victorian farce. In this play, a man uses two identities; one as a
serious person Jack (his actual name) that he uses for Cesily, his ward, and
as a rogue named Ernest for his beloved woman, Gwendolyn. Unluckily,
Gwendolyn loves him partially because she loves the name Ernest. It is
when Jack and Earnest must come on-stage together for Cesily, then
Algernon comes in to play Earnest role, and ward immediately falls in love
with another Ernest. Thus, two young women think that they love the same
man an occurrence that amuses the audience.
Melodrama
Example 4