Drama Vocabulary

This week we have embarked on a new unit studying drama. The following are some definitions that we have been studying to help us understand drama and the elements that comprise it. Students should have and be actively reviewing these terms.

drama - a story intended to be performed by actors on a stage or before television or movie cameras

comedy - type of play that is often humorous with a happy ending

tragedy - type of play that involves a main character who suffers a downfall, the downfall often affects the character and those around him or her in a negative way

script - the way the text of a play is written, contains dialogue and stage directions

dialogue - the conversations held by two or more characters in a play, helps to move the action of the story

monologue - when one character from a play gives a speech on the stage by him or herself

stage directions - instructions written by the playwright to describe the character's appearance or movements, lighting, sound effects, and/or scenery

scenes and acts - the way in which a play is organized, a group of scenes make up an act