This document discusses different dramatic structures used in theater, including climactic, episodic, absurdist, ritual, patterned, serial, experimental/avant-garde, and musical structures. Climactic drama structures focus on a short period of time leading up to a climax, while episodic structures cover longer periods through a series of episodes. Absurdist theater emerged after WWII to convey a sense of alienation through illogical and absurd plots, characters, and language. Ritual and patterned dramas repeat actions and sequences that take on special meaning. Serial dramas string individual episodes together, and experimental theater emphasizes improvisation and non-traditional elements. Musical theater combines different elements through alternation and ju

1. DRAMATIC
STRUCTU
RE

2. CLIMACTIC EPISODIC
Plot begins late in
the story, toward the
very end or climax.
Plot begins relatively
early n the story ad
moves through a series
of episodes.
Covers a short space
of time, perhaps a few
hours or at most a few
days.
Covers a longer period
of time: weeks, months,
and sometimes many
years.
Contains a few solid,
extended scenes such
as three acts with each
act comprising one
long scene.
Has many short
fragmented scenes;
sometimes any alteration
of short and long scene.

3. CLIMACTIC EPISODIC
Occurs in a restricted
locale such as one
room or one house
May range over an
entire city or even
several countries
Number of characters
is severely limited –
usually no more than six
or eight.
Has profusion of
characters, sometimes
several dozen.
Plot is linear and
moves in a single line
with few subplots or
counterplots.
Is frequently marked
by several threads of
action, such as two
parallel plots, or scenes
of comic relief in a

4. CLIMACTIC EPISODIC
Line of action
proceeds in a cause-and-
effect chain. The
characters and
events are closely
linked in a sequence
logical, almost
inevitable
development.
Scenes are
juxtaposed to one
another. An event
may rest from
several causes, or
from no apparent
cause, but arises in a
network or web of
circumstances.

5. Other forms:
 Theater of the absurd
 Ritual and pattern
 Serial structure
 Experimental and avant-garde
theater
 Musical theater

6.  Emerged in Europe and United
States after the World War II.
 In one way or another they convey
humanity’s sense of alienation and its
loss of bearings in an illogical, unjust,
and ridiculous world. Although
serious, this point of view is generally
depicted in plays with considerable
humor.

7. Absurdist
Theater
Absurdist
Plot:
Illogicality
Absurdist
Characters:
Existential
Beings
Absurdist
Language:
Nonsense &
Non
Sequitur
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8. Ritual.....
 Is a repetition or reenactmet of some
proceeding or transaction which has
acquired special meaning.
 Give us continuity, security, and
comfort.
 In theater, ritual is an area where the
old and new one come together.
 Ritual has structures. Actions are
repeated; these actions have a
beginning, a middle and an end; and
there is a natural progression of

9.  Ritual has structures. Actions are
repeated; these actions have a
beginning, a middle and an end; and
there is a natural progression of
events.
 Rituals has special powers; it carries
with it the magic or mystery of a
meaningful, almost holy act. This can
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be its source of energy in theater as
in life.

10. Patterns...
 Are repeated sequence of events
containing its own order and logic.
A series of incidents is duplicated, but
there are important differences
between the acts – differences that
give the play meaning and
resonance.
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11. Serial structure
 Refers to series of acts or episodes.
 Individual segments are strung
together like beads on necklace.
 Sometimes a central theme or
common thread holds the various
part together; sometimes there is little
or no connection between the parts
(revue).
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12. Experimental and Avant-garde
Theater
 Experiments done by radical theater
movements, thus several significant
departures from traditional theater practice
were developed. Among them were:
- emphasis on nonverbal theater
- reliance in a improvisation
- interest in ritual and ceremonies
- stress on physical environment of the
theater

13.  The theater groups that developed
these ideas is what we call avant-garde
theater, a French term literally
means “advance guard of the military
formation”
 The term has come to mean an
intellectual or artistic movement in
any age that breaks with tradition and
therefore seems ahead of is time.

14. Segments and Tableaux
 Like other types of avant-garde
theater, often stress nonverbal
elements and at times include non
sequitar as well. In spite of these,
their work does have structures.
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15. Musical theater
 Consists of different elements put
together.
 Follows the principle of alternation
and juxtaposition.
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