As we work on our play, it is also helpful for us to review what we've learnt during literature lessons, as well as some terms that you should know :)
1. Playwright: someone who writes dramatic literature, usually to be performed. A playwright is also known as a dramatist.
2. Script: refers to the narrative, dialogue and instructions that a playwright creates for performance.
3. Stage directions: there are 2 different meanings behind this term. Read on!
(a) It can refer to the laying out of the various portions of a theatre stage - in 9 general areas. Refer to this website for the diagram.
http://members.aol.com/barbilee/artwork/STAGE_DIR.GIF(b) It can also refer to the instructions the playwright leaves in the script for the actors. They may come in the form of
italics, CAPS,
bold,
or within [parenthesis]. Generally what distinguishes stage directions from the script is obvious from the fact that the script comes in the form of a dialogue.
4. Act: The main dramatic unit in the play usually completing a part of the action and having a climax on its own.
5. Scene: A sub-unit within an act.
6. Character: A fictional character is an imaginary person created for a work of fiction.
7. Protagonist: The central figure in the story. He/She can either be the hero or the villian.
8. Antagonist: He/She creates the most challenges and obstacles that the Protagonist must overcome.
9. Setting: The circumstances which form the background to the story, specificially the time and place of the "action".
10. Theme: The underlying central issue of the playwright wants to convey.
Can you relate the above to our play? :)
