This document defines various drama terms related to the structure, elements, and types of plays. It outlines key components of plays including acts, protagonists, dialogue, climaxes, and more. It also defines different types of drama such as comedies, tragedies, melodramas, and musicals. The document provides an extensive glossary of technical theater and performance terminology.

1. Drama Terms

2. 1. Act--one of the main divisions of a play.
2. Antagonist--a person who opposes the hero of a drama
3. Aside--a dramatic convention by which an actor directly
addresses the audience but it is not supposed to be heard by the
other actors on the stage.
4. Climax--the highest point of dramatic interest, the turning point
in a play
5. Comic relief--relief from emotions or tension or seriousness;
humor
6. Conflict--a controversy or struggle between the protagonist and
the antagonist
7. Dialogue--a conversation between two or more persons

3. 8. Drama—a play that usually tells a story, involving
conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue
9. Dramatic irony--irony that occurs when the meaning
of the situation is understood by the audience but
not by the characters in the play
10. Dramatis personae/cast--the list of characters in a
play; also the characters in a play
11. Falling Action--the part in the play that occurs after
the climax of the plot and the conflict is resolved
12. Fourth wall--the imaginary divide that separates
the audience from the performance space
13. Monologue--an uninterrupted speech delivered by
one person directed to the audience

4. 14. Playwright--a person who crafts a play
15. Props--all of the items used in a play to tell the story
not including the scenery or costumes, the short form of
"Properties”.
16. Protagonist--the leading character, hero, of a drama.
17. Pun--a humorous use of words to emphasize or
suggest different meanings
18. Rehearsal—performance of the play before
presentation to an audience.
19. Rising Action--related series of incidents in the plot
that build towards the highest point of interest
20. Scene--a smaller division of an act of a play, according
to setting

5. 21. Screenplay--a drama script written for TV or film.
22. Script--the words, the stage directions, the cast of
characters, etc. of a play.
23. sets/flats—constructions of scenery/backdrops where
the drama takes place
24. Setting--the time or place in which the action of a play
takes place
25. sound effects--audio effects other than music or
speech that are enhanced or artificially created for the
play, which occur on cue during the performance or can
be added in post-production
26. Stage Directions--instructions written into the script
of a play, blocking, dialect, lighting, etc.
27. Stage Manager—person responsible for the props and
getting actors on stage at the right time.
28. Stereotype--a stock character easily recognized
29. Suspense--the excitement felt at the height of a play
30. Theme--the real subject of the drama

6. Types of Drama
1. Comedy—a light and amusing play with a happy ending
2. Fantasy–a make-believe play that could not possibly exist
3. Farce—A highly comic, light-hearted drama, usually
involving stock situations and characters and based on a
far-fetched humorous situation.
4. Folk play— a play about such folk legends and heroes as
Robin Hood, Saint George and the Dragon, etc. or a
certain group/nationality of people
5. Melodrama—a dramatic form that exaggerates emotion
and emphasizes plot or action at the expense of
characterization
6. miracle and mystery plays--plays that depicted stories
about the life of Christ and saints or stories from the
Bible to encourage religious devotion
7. morality play--medieval drama designed to teach a
lesson. The characters were often allegorical and
represented virtues or faults.

7. 8. Musical—the story is told not only through
dialogue and acting but through music and
dance. Musicals are often comedic, although
many do involve serious subject matter. Most
involve a large cast and lavish sets and
costumes.
9. Pantomime—not really a play without words,
but a British Christmas musical, usually silly and
involving the main character to be cross-dressed
10. Radio play—a play meant to be heard, not
seen; usually different voices and sound effects
add to the performance.
11. Satire—something meant to make fun of
human nature, politics, or a particular person

8. 12. Slapstick—literally, two hinged wooden slats
attached to a handle. When the device strikes a
person, a loud smack is heard. The term refers to
any comedy that features physical, often
abusive, pranks, puns, and pratfalls.
13. Teledrama—a drama written to be presented
on film
14. Tragedy—a play in which the protagonist is
overcome by conflict