Definition of Drama and Theatre voice, body, and imagination to express concepts, ideas,

Elements of Drama and feelings.

PERFORMING
Drama is the specific mode of art represented in the The core process of performing in theatre and drama
form of performance. The term comes from a Greek refers to the myriad of choices an actor or technician
word “dram” meaning “action” which is derived from to makes to bring to life a character or visual design and
do or “to act”. Drama is an art form that explores present it to a specific audience.
human conflict and tension. It takes the form of a story
presented to audience through dialogue and action. RESPONDING
Drama is also a type of play written for theatre, Responding in theatre involves students in perceiving
television, radio and film. and interpreting drama and theatre work. Responding
Drama developed as a result of the evolution of theatre may include students’ reactions to ideas, stories, scripts,
as an art. A number of elements contribute to the designs, artistic choices, performances, and actions of
specific nature of drama. It has a plot-it reproduces a others.
course of events, its action has dramatic tension and is
broken down into scenes and episodes, characters have CONNECTING
continuity. The purpose of drama is to “have an effect The core process of connecting in theatre recognizes
on the crowd, the many, and to attract their curiosity. that drama/theatre work happens ina complex context
Drama is defined as a form of performance that involves comprised of societal, personal, and historical forces, all
conflicts, emotions, and the portrayal of human of which have an impact on the other artistic processes
experiences through dialogue and action. It typically of creating, performing, and responding.
presents a story or situation that engages the
audience's emotions, evoking intense feelings such as Elements of Drama
tension, excitement, or empathy. Words such as Aristotle wondered about many things, including
theater, dramatics, and theatrical performances are drama. He came to the conclusion that there were 6
often synonymous with drama. elements of drama. They are: plot, character, thought,
diction, melody, and spectacle.
THEATRE
Theatre is a collaborative art form which combines 1. Plot (“Mythos”)
words, voice, movement and visual elements to express When we think of a movie or play, the first thing we
meaning. The field of theatre encompasses not only live probably think of is the plot. The plot is the progression
improvised and scripted work, but also dramatic forms of events from A to Z, from beginning to end. Our
such as film, television and other electronic media. Due knowledge of the situation grows as the story goes on,
to the increasingly pervasive influence of contemporary even if it’s being told in a non-chronological order.
theatrical media, theatre has enormous importance in
citizens’ lives. It is not possible for students to achieve Aristotle explains that plot shows a “reversal of fortune”
media literacy without understanding and having – in other words, the situation in a play or film may start
hands-on experience with theatre. Theatre is about the out good and become bad or start out bad and become
examination and resolution of fundamental human good ( ex. romantic comedies, or any story with a happy
issues, and is built on understanding and presenting ending).
interactions between people.
2. Character (“Ethos”)
Processes of the Theatre: For Aristotle, the characters in a drama are secondary
CREATING to the plot. Characters are mainly representative of
Creating in drama/theatre is a process in using the certain morals or qualities and how those morals or
qualities affect the outcome of the plot.
3. Thought (“Dianoia”)
The thought of a drama is its theme.
There may literally be a specific thought (recognition or
realization) that prompted an author to create the
work, something that’s then woven throughout the
story.

4. Diction (“Lexis”)
By diction, Aristotle meant the language through which
the story is presented. Information can be presented
verbally (whether that’s through speech or song) or
non-verbally (facial expressions, a written note in a
movie).
Aristotle considers it important that a work strikes the
proper balance between poetic and prosaic (regular)
diction.

5. Melody (“Melos”)
Melody refers to music and how it’s implemented in the
story. Of course, back in ancient Greek plays, there was
a chorus that would comment on the events and – at
certain moments – dance and sing.
Melody also refers to the natural flow of events. Like a
piece of music, plot has a certain flow that has to feel
natural in order to “function” properly.

6. Spectacle (“Opsis”)
Spectacle refers to what a film or play looks like. In a
play, fancy costumes and meticulously-designed set
pieces help the audience become more invested in the
narrative.