This document defines key terms related to drama, theater, and the history of drama. It discusses the basic elements of a play including scripts, acts, playwrights, scenes, actors, actresses, casts, and directors. It describes areas of the stage such as backstage, center stage, downstage, stage left/right, and upstage. It also outlines stage directions, elements of drama, costumes, props, and creative dramatics techniques. Finally, it provides a brief history of drama originating in ancient Greece with performances honoring Dionysus and taking place in outdoor amphitheaters.

1. DRAMA

2. Drama
Prose or verse telling a story
intended for representation
by actors through dialogue
or action.

3. The Play
Script : printed copy of a play.
Acts : the major sections of a play.
Playwright : person who writes plays.
Scene : small section or portion of a play.

4. The People
Actor: male performer
Actress: female performer
Cast: all performers selected to
portray characters.
Director: instructs actors on how to
portray characters.

5. The Theater
A building where a play is performed
containing the stage and seating area
for the audience.

6. Areas of the Stage
Backstage: area behind scenery not visible
to audience.
Center stage: area in the center of the
stage.
Downstage: area closest to the audience.
Stage left/right: area to actor’s left or
right as he/she faces the audience.

7. Upstage: area furthest away from the
audience.
Backdrop: painted curtain without
fullness.
Set: all sets and props that help define the
action.
Flats: canvas-covered wooden frames used
for scenery.

8. UpstageB
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G
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B
A
C
K
S
T
A
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Down Stage
Center Stage Stage LeftStage Right
Audience

9. Stage Directions
Cue: something that precedes the next
action.
Cut: to stop the action.
Exit: to leave the stage.

10. Elements of Drama
Plot: the main storyline
Theme: the basic idea of the play
Character: person, animal or thing in the
story

11. Language: formal setting or dialect
Spectacle: visuals involved on stage
Dialogue: conversation between two or
more characters.
Monologue: one person speaking

12. Costumes: clothing worn by an actor
on stage to help represent characters.
Props: items used on stage to help
actors tell a story

13. Creative Dramatics
Improvisation: to make up or perform
without preparation.
Pantomime: to communicate without
speaking using only facial and body
gestures.

14. Mimicry: to copy or imitate something
very closely.
Role Playing : to take on the
characteristics of someone or something.

15. A HISTORY OF DRAMA
Drama began in
ancient Greece dating
back to 543 B.C.
It started as choral
performances of
dancing and singing
honoring the Greek
god, Dionysus, the
god of wine.

16. The Greeks held their dramas in outdoor
theaters called amphitheaters, the largest
seating 14,000 people.
Theater at
Delphi

17. Types of Greek Drama
Tragedy: character is confronted with a
difficult moral choice and usually ends in
his or her death.
Comedy: a humorous entertaining
performance with a happy ending.

18. In Greek drama, the actors all wore masks
to help the audience recognize the
character they were playing.
The “Agamemnon”
Mask

19. 550-534 BC
Located at
the bottom
of the
Acropolis in
Athens.
Orchestra
Chorus Proskenion
Skene
Theater of Dionysos