Conventions of DramaConventions of Drama

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextTextDivisions of the textDivisions of the text

An ACT is the biggest division of the playAn ACT is the biggest division of the playGreek plays + Shakespearean plays nearly Greek plays + Shakespearean plays nearly

always five acts (climax of the plot in Act 3, always five acts (climax of the plot in Act 3, generally)generally)

More modern plays two or three actsMore modern plays two or three acts

A SCENE is the encounter between a A SCENE is the encounter between a character and other character(s) at a character and other character(s) at a certain location. certain location. Shakespearean plays = often 3 – 6 scenes Shakespearean plays = often 3 – 6 scenes

per actper act

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextTextDivisions of the textDivisions of the text

When writing about acts and scenes, When writing about acts and scenes, use capital Roman numerals for acts use capital Roman numerals for acts and lower case for scenes. Use italics.and lower case for scenes. Use italics.IV vIV v = Act 4, scene 5 = Act 4, scene 5

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextTextStage DirectionsStage Directions

Instructions from the author to the Instructions from the author to the production team and performance teamproduction team and performance teamIncludes staging information, lighting Includes staging information, lighting

information, sound cues, acting instructions, information, sound cues, acting instructions, movement & speaking instructionsmovement & speaking instructions

Information from the author to readersInformation from the author to readersIncludes visual & sound cues to help the Includes visual & sound cues to help the

reader experience the playreader experience the play

Stage DirectionsStage DirectionsOften written in italics or with different Often written in italics or with different

margins than the dialogue of the playmargins than the dialogue of the play

Not usually read aloud when the play is Not usually read aloud when the play is read aloudread aloud

But EXTREMELY important to read! But EXTREMELY important to read!

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextText

DialogueDialogueWhat the characters say to one another What the characters say to one another

in a scenein a sceneEach character’s voice is different: diction, Each character’s voice is different: diction,

tone, styletone, style

Character’s name usually in all caps, Character’s name usually in all caps, followed by a colon, then the words the followed by a colon, then the words the character is supposed to saycharacter is supposed to say

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextText

DialogueDialogueIndicates the action, conflict, and Indicates the action, conflict, and

progress of the playprogress of the play

Realistic plays mean realistic, plausible Realistic plays mean realistic, plausible conversations among the charactersconversations among the characters

But NOT like you might record two But NOT like you might record two people talking at lunch, for example. people talking at lunch, for example. More purposeful, more structured.More purposeful, more structured.

Conventions of the Conventions of the TextText

““Suspension of disbelief”Suspension of disbelief”The audience agrees to pretend that The audience agrees to pretend that

they’re observing real action & they’re observing real action & conversationconversation

BUT the audience needs cues for when BUT the audience needs cues for when they should STOP pretending and they should STOP pretending and applaud, or understand that a scene or applaud, or understand that a scene or act is over, or the play is over. Lights & act is over, or the play is over. Lights & sounds good for this!sounds good for this!

Conventions of the Conventions of the StageStage

““Suspension of disbelief”Suspension of disbelief”““fourth wall” or proscenium stages let fourth wall” or proscenium stages let

audiences pretend they’re looking into a audiences pretend they’re looking into a roomroom

Information in the program lets Information in the program lets audience know about the passage of audience know about the passage of timetime

Conventions of the Conventions of the StageStage

Acting conventionsActing conventionsProjection of voices toward the back of Projection of voices toward the back of

the theaterthe theater

¼ turns rather than profile to the ¼ turns rather than profile to the audience; actors don’t turn their backs audience; actors don’t turn their backs on the audience except for effecton the audience except for effect

““Aside” and soliloquyAside” and soliloquy

Conventions of the Conventions of the StageStage

Staging conventionsStaging conventionsUpstage = toward the back of the stage, Upstage = toward the back of the stage,

away from the audienceaway from the audienceDownstage = toward the front of the Downstage = toward the front of the

stage, toward the audiencestage, toward the audienceStage left = the actor’s left when the Stage left = the actor’s left when the

actor is looking toward the audienceactor is looking toward the audienceStage right = the actor’s right when the Stage right = the actor’s right when the

actor is looking toward the audienceactor is looking toward the audience

Conventions of the Conventions of the StageStage

Set conventionsSet conventionsObtuse angles instead of right angle Obtuse angles instead of right angle

corners where walls meetcorners where walls meetNo ceilings of roomsNo ceilings of roomsSets must be “read” for meaning, just Sets must be “read” for meaning, just

like a text is readlike a text is read

Conventions of the Conventions of the StageStage

Plays are intended to be Plays are intended to be experienced as a member of the experienced as a member of the production & performance team production & performance team OR as a member of the audienceOR as a member of the audience

Before the curtain goes Before the curtain goes up ...up ...