Speech and Drama

1. Speech and Drama

2. Drama • A serious play. • A work of literature intended to be performed for an audience. • Elements of drama • Is similar to fiction & poetry • Is presented through actors, on a stage, & before an audience • This creates a shared feeling by the audience which heightens the impact of the play • It’s an “in the moment” experience because plays are presented live and there are no “rewinds” • It’s unique because it’s never the same twice

3. Subplot • A second, smaller plot that takes place within the original plot.

4. Dramatic Irony • Situation where a character is unaware of something the audience knows is about to happen.

5. Playwright • A playwright is a person who writes dramatic literature or drama. • “Playwright” is Anglo-Saxon for a “workman” or “craftsman.”

6. Act • A major division of a play. • A play may be subdivided into several acts.

7. Scene • A subdivision of an act in a play. Each scene presents action in one place or one situation. • The setting does not change.

8. Cast • The actors in a play • When reading or watching a play, consider the following: • A play presents action through actors, so it’s direct, immediate, and enhanced (or ruined!) by the actor’s skills. • The facial expressions, body language, speech tones, etc. heighten the impact.

9. Comedy • A humorous play with a happy ending.

10. Tragedy • A form of drama in which the main character suffers disaster. • The tone of tragedy is serious, and the ending is usually an unhappy one. • Romeo and Juliet

11. Monologue • A story, speech or scene performed by one actor.

12. Protagonist • The principle around whom the action revolves. • The leading character or 'hero' in a play who has to fight against / oppose the antagonist.

13. Antagonist • The person or force working against the protagonist in a play.

14. Dialogue • Conversation between characters in a literary work. • Dialogue should always make the plot progress. • She glanced up at me without speaking, her eyes like stones washed round by the sea. I said, “How can I give it back to you?” “Give me what?” “What you’ve lost.” “I’ve lost nothing.” “What I owe, then.” “You owe nothing.” “But—” “When you are older you will see,” she said, and she went back to her darning with a decided silence. “I am Morgan leFay” by: Nancy Springer

15. Block • Coordination of actors' movements on stage in between dialogue. • Vicky: [Take a sip of water and throw it in Jeff’s face, screaming.] Leave me alone!

16. Cue • The line or action that triggers another line or action. “Oh, was that my cue?”

17. Props • Because drama is presented on a stage, imagination is required to see what isn’t there. • Events that are depicted must be of a size appropriate for a stage setting. • Theater slang (a shortened form of properties) for objects and elements of the scenery of a stage play or movie set.

18. Stage Directions • In a drama, instructions that describe the appearance and actions of characters, as well as sets, costumes, and lighting.

19. Downstage • Acting area closest to the audience.

20. Stage Left • Acting area on the actor's left of stage center.

21. Stage Right • acting area on the actor's right of stage center