Elements of Theater

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Elements of Theater
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Words to Know

• author - writer of the novel, movie, or play
• plot - series of related events that take place
  during a play before the audience
• drama - written to be spoken for the
  entertainment of the audience
• foreshadowing - plot device that exposes a clue
  to what will happen later in the play
• reversal - major change in direction to the plot
  or the characters of a play
• subtext - reading between the lines of a play to
  get a deeper meaning understanding the subtle
  actions of the actors that tell the emotion that
  the words do not convey
• motivation - reason for the characters to act the
  way they do to each other and to the situation

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Dramatic Structure

• Dramatic Structure

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Characterization

• Dynamic Characters Roles in which the actor
  learns something.
• Static Characters Roles that learn nothing and
  are simply in the play as a caricature.
• Stereotypes
• Flat
• One-dimensional

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Setting

• Setting The dressing of the stage to enhance
  the mood for the play and give the audience a
  visual reference
• Props-- things that are held or used by the
  actors that further the story
• Scenery Two-dimensional backdrop
• Costumes - dressing of the actors to make them
  represent the characters they will be playing

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Voice/ Acting

• verbal quality - individual sound of the voice
  how well words are expressed clarity of the
  speakers voice
• non-verbal action - the transfer of information
  between persons without words
• monologue - only one person speaks
• dialogue - two or more characters speak to each
  other

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Theme

• Theme The message or lesson learned behind the
  play.
• The reason the play is written and performed.
• Symbolism

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How Does Lighting, Sound Affect the Production?

• Sound usually indicates mood or tone
• Effects created by lights, mechanical devices and
  other special effects help get across the meaning
  of the play to the audience
• Lighting indicates emotion or setting
• Blue night or death
• White/ Yellow Day time
• Green Sickness
• Red Madness or great emotion

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Genres of Theater

• Comedy

• Drama

• Catharsis Usually, to laugh
• Alls well that ends well
• Slapstick
• Physical comedy done with body
• Romantic comedy
• One boy, one girl, complications, and happily
  ever after
• Situational comedy
• Weird everyday situations that make life fun

• Catharsis Usually, to cry
• Release of emotion is good for you
• Romance
• Boys meet girl, life gets in the way
• Adventure
• Boom goes the dynamite!
• Horror
• Eeek! I see dead people!

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Four Types of Stages

1. Box stage
2. Proscenium
3. Thrust stage
4. Arena stage

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Box stage
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Proscenium
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Thrust Stage
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Arena Stage