General Drama Terms

Question 1

Acting Style

Answer 1

The style in which you are acting in, for instance naturalistic, stylised etc.

Question 2

Actor - audience relationship

Answer 2

The relationship created between the actor and the
audience.

Question 3

Atmosphere

Answer 3

The feeling and emotion that is created.

Question 4

Blocking

Answer 4

The moves of the actors on stage.

Question 5

Central character/complex
character/important character/ main
character/pivotal character

Answer 5

The most important character in the drama or a
character key to the drama.

Question 6

Minor character

Answer 6

A character who is less important to the plot and
themes.

Question 7

Characterisation

Answer 7

The investigation and portrayal of a character .

Question 8

Character behaviour/
interaction/relationship

Answer 8

The way a character acts and responds to others.

Question 9

Climax

Answer 9

The most dramatic point in the play.

Question 10

Context: dramatic context/ social
context / political context / cultural
context

Answer 10

The world in which the play is happening in. What
is happening in society and culture the characters
are living in.

Question 11

Design Concepts

Answer 11

Ideas for the design of the production; for instance,
lighting, costume, set etc.

Question 12

Dialogue

Answer 12

The spoken word between characters.

Question 13

Drama Media

Answer 13

Projections, video footage, sound scapes etc.

Question 14

Drama Process

Answer 14

The steps taken from responding to stimulus or text,
to the performance day.

Question 15

Dramatic Features

Answer 15

These are key areas in a production, such as, Plot
and plot twists,themes and issues, dramatic
tension, dramatic irony, character motivation,
character relationships, key moments, genre, form,
purpose, setting, period, style, target audience,
mood and atmosphere.

Question 16

Dramatic tension / points of tension
/ moments of tension

Answer 16

Tense and exciting moments in the play.

Question 17

Dramatic Irony

Answer 17

Actions or remarks whose significance is not
realised by all the characters.

Question 18

Duologues

Answer 18

A conversation between two characters.

Question 19

Eposodic Structure

Answer 19

Series of scenes or stories linking together by a
comon theme, character or setting etc. It does not
need to link to the same storyline.

Question 20

Focus

Answer 20

Key moment, scene, character, relationship or
event in a drama.

Question 21

Given Circumstances

Answer 21

Textual information given to an actor about a
character or moment (this cannot be altered). This
will help them to play the character and situation
true to the text.

Question 22

Ground Plans

Answer 22

A drawing or image that gives a birds eye view of
the set, acting area and audeince position.

Question 23

Key Scene

Answer 23

One of the most important scenes in the drama.

Question 24

Key Moment

Answer 24

A moment in the drama which is integral to the plot.

Question 25

Language

Answer 25

The words used by the characters during the play. This can determine class, personality, feelings etc.

Question 26

Message

Answer 26

The overall point to be communicated.

Question 27

Mood

Answer 27

The feeling or emotion of a moment or piece.

Question 28

Original production / original staging / stage configurations

Answer 28

Orignial production - The first performance of something like Antigone in Greek times. Original Staging – Unique use of staging. Stage Configurations – Audience are in relation to action.

Question 29

Performance Analysis

Answer 29

The analysation and critique on a performance you have seen.

Question 30

Performance Concepts

Answer 30

Ideas and techniques you have used as an actor when developing your character; voice, movement, bloking etc

Question 31

Pre-show

Answer 31

A part of the production which adds depth to the plot like the dancing in the woods in the Cruicible for instance.

Question 32

Plot

Answer 32

The Storyline/Scenario

Question 33

Plot Twists

Answer 33

Sections of he storyline that are unpredictable and take the plot on a different track.

Question 34

Protagonist and Antagonist

Answer 34

Protagonist: Main character in the drama. Antagonist: The enemy or the competitor

Question 35

Purpose

Answer 35

The point of the drama, what the aim of the produciton is. This could also link to the purpose of your character in the piece.

Question 36

Stage Proxemics

Answer 36

The positioning and distance of characters on stage to give dramatic impact.

Question 37

Rehearsal Activities

Answer 37

Exercises carried out during rehearsals to aid characterisation and plot development.

Question 38

Set

Answer 38

Objects, flats and furniture we see on stage to help create the setting.

Question 39

Setting

Answer 39

The location the drama takes place, for instance, a house, a park etc.

Question 40

Site Specific Theatre

Answer 40

A piece of theatre created about/for a specific location and is then performed there to add impact.

Question 41

Special effects

Answer 41

Effects to help create illusions in the theatre; strobe lighting, glitterballs, smoke machines, pyrotechnics etc.

Question 42

Textual evidence

Answer 42

Information drawn from the text to support decisions or opinions.

Question 43

Traditional theatre

Answer 43

A piece of theatre that is original from a country or culture

Question 44

Stage Imagery

Answer 44

Visual ideas brought to life on stage which represent an message/emotion/ idea.

Question 45

Status

Answer 45

Importance relative to other characters.

Question 46

Stimulus

Answer 46

A starting point for a Drama (photo, script, word, prop, setting etc.)

Question 47

Subtext

Answer 47

The underlying meaning of the spoken word or movements.

Question 48

Symbols and imagery

Answer 48

A representation of another meaning.

Question 49

Target Audience

Answer 49

The audience who are most suited for the production.

Question 50

Tension

Answer 50

A build up of excitement.

Question 51

Textual analysis

Answer 51

Analysing the words of a text to create a meaning

Question 52

Theatrical Background

Answer 52

The experience a person has in theatre or the background/history of a play.

Question 53

Themes and Issues

Answer 53

The main topics and points of the play.

Question 54

Time period / passage of time / shifts in time

Answer 54

When the drama is happening in relation to date

Question 55

Positioning

Answer 55

Placement on the stage.

Question 56

Use of levels

Answer 56

Contrast of height used in positioning, this could be with actors or set.

Question 57

Venue

Answer 57

The theatre or place the drama takes place in.