A. From the Greek “dran” – to do

B. 5th century B.C. GreeceC. Honor Dionysus, god of wine/fertility

D. Established theater conventions

A. Conflict for characters to resolve1. Man vs. man2. Man vs. circumstances3. Man vs. self (desires)

B. Complications – conflict becomes more difficult

C. Climax – action that determines the outcome

D. Resolution – the end of the conflict

A. Ends unhappilyB. Tragic hero – protagonistC. Tragic flaw – personal failing leads to tragedy, usually death1. pride2. rebelliousness3. jealousy

D. Themes1. right/wrong2. just/unjust3. individual vs. higher power4. Why do we live?5. How should we die?

A. Ends happilyB. Boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-wins-girl.

C. Conflict about romanceD. Often ends in marriageE. Life goes on despite our problems

A. Psychological development of characters

B. Democratic societies create plays about ordinary people.

C. Unconventional structures1. long flashbacks2. character’s fantasies3. include music4. unusual settings

A. Thrust stage – audience surrounds stage on three sides

B. In the round – audience surrounds stage on all sides

C. Proscenium – audience sits in front of stage

D. Stage directions1. upstage – away from audience2. downstage – towards audience3. stage right – actor’s right when facing audience

4. stage left – actor’s left …

E. Scene design1. detailed and realistic2. abstract

E. Scene design1. detailed and realistic2. abstract

F. Lighting affects mood and appearance

G. CostumesH. Props – properties

A. dialogue – conversations on stage

A. dialogue – conversations on stageB. monologue – one character speaks to

others onstage

A. dialogue – conversations on stageB. monologue – one character speaks to

others onstageC. soliloquy – one character speaks alone;

reveals thoughts

A. dialogue – conversations on stageB. monologue – one character speaks to

others onstageC. soliloquy – one character speaks alone;

reveals thoughtsD. asides –

1. character speaks to audience or2. character speaks to one other person

onstage and3. other characters do not overhear

E. Movement on stage1. Stage directions – written in script by playwright2. Blocking – movement around stage given by director3. Business – use of props

A. Plays speak to our experiences

B. We recognize universal experiences

C. We feel comfort in the shared experience.

A. Exaggerated, stereotyped characters

B. Ridiculous situationsC. Slapstick comedy