DRAM 1101 1st Edition Lecture 3 Outline of Last Lecture I Theatrical spaces a Amphitheaters b Proscenium c Thrust Stage d Arena Stage e Black Box Stage Outline of Current Lecture I What is a play II How is dramatic action organized a Chronologically b Nonlinear III Ways to understand plays a According to structure i Western literature structure ii Aristotelian structure b According to genre i Tragedies ii Comedies IV Dramaturgy a Vertical axis b Horizontal axis Current Lecture II What is a play a A basic unit of theatre b Two meanings i An event 1 Action surrounding a conflict ii Literature These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute III IV V 1 Written plays How is dramatic action organized a The events of a play can be structured in two common ways i Chronologically 1 Either a linear cause and effect relationship or a continuous story 2 Moves from point to point to tell a story 3 Much of modern drama ii Nonlinear 1 Discontinuous 2 Common techniques include flashbacks time shifts dream sequences stream of consciousness etc b Can also be described in terms of climactic or episodic Ways to understand plays a Two ways i According to structure 1 Patterns that the actions follow 2 Assumes linear plot structure ii According to genre 1 Its type Classifying plays according to structure a Western Literature Structure i Plays often have events that follow a particular sequence 1 Exposition a Sets the context for the rest of the play by giving the audience information b Helps introduce the audience to the world that the play is taking place in i Whether it is a different time or place c Provides background information 2 Inciting incident a Introduces conflict i A conflict can emerge between characters within a single character or stem from a situation ii A character s response to conflict helps to demonstrate his or her personality 1 How they come to their ultimate decision or consider their choices b Conflict is then instigated to crisis level i Through a series of revelations and confrontations 3 Rising action a Emerges from a character confronting a conflict b Usually a series of obstacles i Often arrive in three s 4 Climax a Extreme breaking point of conflict i Point of no return ii Point of dramatic explosion and maximum tension b May contain elements of recognition and reversal VI VII c May be a catharsis i An emotional release 5 Denouement a Resolution of conflict that results in understanding i OR new harmony b Ends the play b Aristotelian Plot structure i Exposition inciting incident rising action climax falling action resolution Classifying plays according to Genre a Discerning genre is a subjective task and critics often disagree b Aristotle offered the first major genre classification i Ancient Greek philosopher 1 Divided plays into the two major genres that we have today a Comedies i Lighter tone consisting of jokes and satire b Tragedies i Based on human suffering c The list of other genres is seemingly infinite i Melodramas histories musicals etc ii Wrote His Poetics 1 The most influential work of theatre criticism in Western history 2 His principles remain as foundations of writing for theatre and film 3 Helped define the best protagonists the best plots and structure of plays iii Aristotle s tragedy 1 Centers on a great person a hero or protagonist a Possesses a tragic flaw or fatal mistake which leads to a reversal and self recognition i This reversal can be in circumstances in status or in dramatic action 2 Ends in the hero s death or demise 3 Elicits emotions from the audience a The audience experiences a catharsis c Comedy i Addresses relevant and timely situations humorously 1 Although they have the ability to transcend their timeliness ii Depends on human observation iii Does not have the same historical reputation as tragedies do Dramaturgy a How action of a play is structured b Two primary ways of analyzing dramaturgy i The vertical axis 1 The components of a play 2 Aristotle s break down a Plot i Specific order of events b Character i Primary objective of characters is to make the audience invest in them ii Adding depth to a character makes them more complex and elicits stronger more multi dimensional emotions from the audience c Theme i Abstract intellectual content ii Also called thought it is the central message or idea that should be meaningful d Diction i Language of the text ii The language contributes to a play s rhythm cadence tone and imagery e Music i Orchestration of sonic palette noise and music ii Indirectly music is present in the rhythm of sounds that create a score tat has an aural impact f Spectacle i Visual aspects ii Scenery costumes lighting props 3 Contemporary component a Convention i Agreement of rules between audience and performers ii Goes back to a willing suspension of reality the audience must watch the play giving its conventions ii The horizontal axis 1 The temporal experience of a play a Plays occur over time and as such are shared experiences 2 The time of the play is divided into three waves a Preplay i The transition into the world of the play when the audience becomes a community 1 Shifts focus to the play ii Historically this meant processions flags and speeches being used to attract spectators to the stage iii Today we use posters and advertisements b Play i The actual show c Postplay i The agreement between the actors and the audience that the show has concluded ii Traditionally there is a curtain call 1 Actors bow 2 Recognition of shared experience iii Continues outside the theatre 1 Engage in discussions known as dramatic criticism