Elements of Drama and Theatre

Introduction

Theatre is an essential cultural activity that has been present in all societies throughout history. It is a necessary tool for communication and can be used to express ideas and feelings. It can also be used to entertain and educate. Théâtre is made up of many elements, which can be divided into two main categories: the technical elements and the performance elements (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck).

The Technical Elements

Technical elements are those elements that are used to create the physical production of a play. This includes the set, the lighting, the sound, and the props. The set is the most important of the technical elements as it creates the environment in which the play’s action takes place (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). It can be simple or complex, depending on the needs of the production. The set must be designed so that it is safe for the actors and the audience and so that it can be easily assembled and dismantled. The lighting is used to create the desired atmosphere and highlight the play’s action. It can be used to create different moods and to change the focus of the audience’s attention.

The sound is used to create a realistic environment and heighten the audience’s emotions. It can create tension, indicate the passage of time, or create special effects. The props are the objects used by the actors in the play. They must be chosen carefully to be safe and appropriate for production.

The Performance Elements

The performance elements are those elements that the actors use to create their characters and tell the story. This includes the acting, the directing, and the script. The acting is the most important of the performance elements as it is the actor’s job to bring the character to life and to make the audience believe that the character is real. The actor must understand the character’s motivation and express the character’s emotions (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck).

The directing is responsible for the overall interpretation of the play. The director must be able to work with the actors to help them create their characters and stage the play in an effective and entertaining way. The script is the written text of the play. It must be carefully crafted to be exciting and easy to understand.

The Characters

The characters are the people who populate the world of the play. They must be carefully created to be believable and exciting (Biswas; Haseman, and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). The main character is the person who the story is about. The main character must be relatable and sympathetic so that the audience can empathize with them. The supporting characters are the people who help to advance the story. They must be exciting and well-developed to hold the audience’s attention. The antagonist is the person who conflicts with the main character. The antagonist must be believable and menacing to invest the audience in the conflict.

The Plot

The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story. It must be carefully constructed so that it is believable and entertaining. The exposition is the part of the story where the characters and the setting are introduced. The exposition must be exciting and informative to engage the audience from the start.

The rising action is the part of the story where the conflict develops. The rising action must be exciting and suspenseful, so the audience is kept on the edge of their seats. The climax is the part of the story where the conflict reaches its peak. The climax must be thrilling and suspenseful so that the audience wants more. The falling action is the part of the story where the conflict is resolved. The falling action must be satisfying and believable to satisfy the audience with the outcome. The resolution is the part of the story where the aftermath of the conflict is shown. The resolution must be realistic and believable so the audience can relate to the characters (Biswas; Haseman, and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck).

Theme

The theme is the central idea of the play. It is the message that the playwright is trying to communicate to the audience (Biswas; Haseman, and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). The theme must be carefully chosen so that it is relevant and exciting.

Point Of View

The point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. It can be from the point of view of one of the characters, or it can be from the point of view of the narrator (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). The point of view must be chosen carefully to be effective and engaging.

Style

The style is how the play is written. It can be serious or comedic, formal or informal. The style must be appropriate for the theme and the characters.

Dialect

The dialect is how the characters speak. It can be the regional dialect of the area where the play is set, or it can be the dialect of a specific group of people (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). The dialect must be appropriate for the characters and the setting.

Symbolism

Symbolism uses objects, colors, or actions to represent ideas or concepts. Symbolism can be used to add depth and meaning to the play.

Imagery

Imagery is using words to create pictures in the audience’s mind. Imagery can be used to create an atmosphere and to set the tone of the play.

Sound

Sound is the use of noises to create an atmosphere and set the play’s tone. Sound can create tension, indicate the passage of time, or create special effects.

Music

Music is the use of sound to create atmosphere and set the play’s tone (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). Music can create tension, indicate the passage of time, or create special effects.

Dance

Dance is the use of movement to create atmosphere and set the play’s tone. Dance can create tension, indicate the passage of time, or create special effects.

Costume

The costume is the clothing worn by the characters in the play. It must be appropriate for the period and the setting of the play.

Makeup

Makeup is the use of cosmetics to enhance the appearance of the characters (Biswas; Haseman and O’Toole; Lombardo et al.; Meineck). Makeup can be used to create different moods and to change the focus of the audience’s attention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, theatre is an important cultural activity that has been present in all societies throughout history. It comprises many elements, which can be divided into two main categories: the technical and the performance elements. Technical elements are those elements that are used to create the physical production of a play. The performance elements are those elements that the actors use to develop their characters and tell the story.

Works Cited

Biswas, Siddhartha. “Theatre Theory and Performance: A Critical Interrogation.” Google Books, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2017, books.google.co.ke/books?id=0sI3DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Elements+of+Drama+and+Theatre&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjnoq2OgLL7AhWrT6QEHYbVD6s4FBDoAXoECAYQAg#v=onepage&q=Elements%20of%20Drama%20and%20Theatre&f=false.

Haseman, Brad, and John O’Toole. “Dramawise Reimagined: Learning to Manage the Elements of Drama.” Google Books, Currency Press, 2017, books.google.co.ke/books?id=UGhuvgAACAAJ&dq=Elements+of+Drama+and+Theatre&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-19DZ_7H7AhXLh1wKHVF_D0cQ6AF6BAgHEAI.

Lombardo, Vincenzo, et al. “Drammar: A Comprehensive Ontological Resource on Drama.” Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2018, pp. 103–18, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00668-6_7.

Meineck, Peter. “Theatrocracy: Greek Drama, Cognition, and the Imperative for Theatre.” Google Books, Taylor & Francis, 2017, books.google.co.ke/books?id=3gYqDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Elements+of+Drama+and+Theatre&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj-19DZ_7H7AhXLh1wKHVF_D0cQ6AF6BAgBEAI#v=onepage&q=Elements%20of%20Drama%20and%20Theatre&f=false.