Elements of a Drama

What is a Drama?

• A drama or play is meant to be performed on stage for an audience.
• Actors learn their parts by reading from a script or written text.
• The script is often split into different acts and scenes.

Five Elements of a Drama

• Cast of Characters
• Setting
• Acts and Scenes
• Dialogue
• Stage Directions

Cast of Characters

• Lists all the characters who appear in the play or drama.
• Names are capitalized.
• Example:
  • Head Chef
  • Chef Two
  • Chef Three
  • Hotel Guest

Setting

• Tells when and where the drama takes place.
• Example: 1932, a hotel kitchen.

Acts and Scenes

• Acts: main parts of a drama.
• Scenes: smaller sections of an act.
• Example: Act One, Scene One.

Dialogue

• Tells exactly what the actors say on stage.
• Quotations are not used.
• Example: "So you don't like our pies, do you? Maybe you'd like another taste."

Stage Direction

• Tells actors how to act or move.
• Describes the emotion they should express when speaking.
• Example: The three chefs throw their pies at the hotel guest.