Essay

Elements of Drama

There are three types of Drama Elements:

Literary

Technical

Performance

Literary Elements

(What is needed to write a script of story?)

• Script

• Plot

• Character

• Story Organization

• Setting

• Dialogue

• Monologue

• Conflict

Technical Elements

(What is needed to produce a play?)

• Scenery

• Costumes

• Props

• Sound and Music

• Make-up

Performance Elements

(What do the actors do on stage to make a character come alive?)

• Acting

• Speaking

• Non-verbal Expression

But what do all these words mean? All the elements of drama combine to make good production. They are all important. Some demonstrate more of one element than others.

Literary Elements

• A script is the written words and directions of a play.

• The plot is the storyline or arrangement of action.

• A character is a person portrayed in a drama.

• The story organization is how a story is told – the beginning, middle, and end.

• The setting is where the action takes place.

• A dialogue is a spoken conversation between two characters.

• A monologue is a long speech made by one person.

• The internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas or interest that creates dramatic tension.

Technical Elements

• The scenery is theatrical equipment such as curtains, backdrops, and platforms to communicate the environment. An example might be trees to show a forest environment.

• Props are any article other than costumes or scenery used as part of dramatic production. An example might be a table on the stage.

• Sound is the effect an audience hears during a show, like the sound of rain. And music-well, you know what music is!

• Make-up is the use of costumes, wigs and body paint to transform an actor into a character.

• Costumes – is a prevalent fashion of dress including the accessories and hairstyle as well as garnets....