What Is a play? Flashcards
Theatre
Comes from Greek word “to see”
Conflict
First concern of action in Drama
Play
It’s a story based on a plot devised to be presented by actors on a stage before an audience.
Plot
Divided into slices of life or episodes.
Episode
Starts anytime a new character arrives or leaves the stage
They are played out with dialogue between characters on stage sometimes the audience
Scene
Many episodes make up a scene which are used to show when time and place has changed and many scenes make up an Act
How long should a play last?
No longer than 2-3 hours therefore there is no time to waste and it’s performed as quickly and clearly as possible
Playwrights
People who write plays
Author of plays are Playmakers
A Playwright must be aware of how a play sounds rather than how it’s read
Must also be aware of the audience
Theatre Layouts(3)
The Greek Theatre
The Elizabeth Theatre
The Modern Stage
Act
Division in a play
Can contain one or more scenes
Modern drama has 2-3 Acts
19th Century drama has 5 Acts
Climax
Highest point of interest-Complication ceases and resolution begins
Complication
Element that causes conflict (new situation…)
Dialogue
Convo between characters (reveals plot and much about characters speaking)
Dramatic personae
The cast-List of characters
Foil
A character due to his contrast brings out the qualities of another character in the play
Tragedy
A form of Drama where the protagonist is overcomes by the obstacles(loses)
Comedy
A form of Drama where the protagonist is triumphant
Motive
Reason why a character acts the way they do
Protagonist
Lead in a play
Suspense
Uncertainty of the reader on the outcome of the conflict
Style
The way a playwright wrights (casual or formal)
Stock Character
Stereotypical character
Foreshadowing
Giving the audience hints of things to come
External Time
The time required for a play to be performed on stage
