One-Act Play

Introduction to Drama

  • Drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through performances of written dialogue, which can be in prose or poetry.

  • Dramas can be performed on stage, film, or radio.

  • Creators of dramas are known as playwrights or dramatists.

Types of Drama

Forms of Drama

  • Different forms of drama include:

    • Mime

    • Closet drama

    • Improvisations

    • Musicals

    • Opera

Types of Drama

Comedy

  • Intended to make the audience laugh.

Farce

  • An exaggerated form of comedy with illogical plots and slapstick jokes.

Tragedy

  • Involves a protagonist with a fatal flaw, leading to the demise of a once heroic character.

Tragicomedy

  • A serious plot delivered with humorous or sarcastic undertones.

Further Types of Drama

Melodrama

  • Characterized by exaggerated characters and dramatic situations such as heroes, heroines, and villains.

Opera

  • Involves singers performing dialogues instead of speaking.

Musical

  • Combines sung lines with spoken dialogue infused with music and performance.

Literary Element

  • Key Components:

    • Plot: The sequence of events in the story.

    • Characters: Agents in the story, can be humans, animals, or objects.

    • Theme: The central idea or message conveyed by the play.

    • Diction: The style of speaking, which reveals characters and themes.

Technical Element

Aspects Influencing Sensory Effects

  • Spectacle: Includes the actor's voice, gestures, sound, and music contributing to sensory effects.

Structure of a Drama

Components in Order

  • Introduction/Exposition: Sets the scene and introduces characters.

  • Rising Action/Complication: Develops the conflict.

  • Climax: The turning point of the story.

  • Falling Action/Consequence: The aftermath of the climax.

  • Resolution/Denouement: The conclusion where conflicts are resolved.

Technical Elements of Production

  • Scenery: The visual background/setting of the performance, e.g., backdrops or props like tables.

  • Sound: Auditory elements heard during the show (e.g., rain sounds).

  • Costumes: Clothing and items worn by actors that aid in character portrayal.

  • Lighting: The placement, intensity, and color of light used to create mood or atmosphere.

Performance Element

Acting Components

  • Characterization: Involves character motivation, analysis, and empathy.

  • Physical Performance: Body alignment, gestures, facial expressions, blocking, and movement.

  • Vocal Performance: Breath control, vocal expression, inflection, projection, and speaking style.

Structure of a Script

Acts and Scenes

  • Act: Major division of drama; can be formatted in Roman numerals (e.g., I, II) and varies in length (often 30-90 mins).

  • Scene: Refers to action in a specific setting; begins with actor's entrance and ends at their exit, moving the narrative forward.c

Introduction to Drama

Drama is the portrayal of fictional or non-fictional events through performances of written dialogue, which can be in prose or poetry. Dramas can be performed on stage, film, or radio. Creators of dramas are known as playwrights or dramatists.

Types of Drama

Forms of Drama

  • Mime

  • Closet drama

  • Improvisations

  • Musicals

  • Opera

Types of Drama

  • Comedy: Intended to make the audience laugh.

  • Farce: An exaggerated form of comedy with illogical plots and slapstick jokes.

  • Tragedy: Involves a protagonist with a fatal flaw, leading to the demise of a once heroic character.

  • Tragicomedy: A serious plot delivered with humorous or sarcastic undertones.

Further Types of Drama

  • Melodrama: Characterized by exaggerated characters and dramatic situations such as heroes, heroines, and villains.

  • Opera: Involves singers performing dialogues instead of speaking.

  • Musical: Combines sung lines with spoken dialogue infused with music and performance.

Literary Element

Key Components:

  • Plot: Sequence of events in the story.

  • Characters: Agents in the story, can be humans, animals, or objects.

  • Theme: Central idea or message conveyed by the play.

  • Diction: Style of speaking, which reveals characters and themes.

Technical Element

Aspects Influencing Sensory Effects:

  • Spectacle: Voice, gestures, sound, and music contributing to sensory effects.

Structure of a Drama

Components in Order:

  1. Introduction/Exposition: Sets the scene and introduces characters.

  2. Rising Action/Complication: Develops the conflict.

  3. Climax: The turning point of the story.

  4. Falling Action/Consequence: Aftermath of the climax.

  5. Resolution/Denouement: Conclusion where conflicts are resolved.

Technical Elements of Production

  • Scenery: Visual background/setting of the performance (e.g., backdrops or props).

  • Sound: Auditory elements heard during the show (e.g., rain sounds).

  • Costumes: Clothing and items worn by actors that aid in character portrayal.

  • Lighting: Placement, intensity, and color of light used to create mood or atmosphere.

Performance Element

Acting Components:

  • Characterization: Involves character motivation, analysis, and empathy.

  • Physical Performance: Body alignment, gestures, facial expressions, blocking, and movement.

  • Vocal Performance: Breath control, vocal expression, inflection, projection, and speaking style.

Structure of a Script

  • Acts: Major division of drama, formatted in Roman numerals (e.g., I, II) and varies in length (often 30-90 mins).

  • Scenes: Action in a specific setting; begins with actor's entrance and ends at their exit, moving the narrative forward.