Elements of Drama

Elements of Drama - Monologue

In this lesson we will:

• Examine the elements of drama in a monologue.

• Consider how you can use the elements of drama purposefully to strengthen your ideas and engage your audience.

• Read the information slides and then complete the activities that follow.

My Love Charlie,
I miss you. I know you said to stay strong and to take care of the family for you, but it is hard. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I hear the sound of marching boots in my dreams, wondering if you’ll ever come home. Every time the doorbell rings, I’m scared to answer for fear of bad news. Don’t think I’m not proud of you love, our country needs you. You trained hard and worked harder, being more than just a soldier to most. Charlie, please do your best to make it home and meet your son. He has red hair, and brown eyes just like his father. I hope this letter (with pictures included) reaches you in good time, and that you may find joy and comfort within. We miss and love you so much.
From your Love,
-Catherine and baby Jake.

"Letters" by Maddie Hazeu

Refer to "Letters" to complete the following activities on the Elements of Drama.

The feeling or mood created
by the dramatic action.

Atmosphere

Role: The point of view and
values of a character.
Character: Their personality,
background & motivation.

Role and Character

Elements of Drama

Multiple Choice

Which of the following most accurately described the CHARACTER speaking the monologue "Letters"?

• A mother with a new-born baby who hopes that her husband will make it home to meet their baby.

• A solider fighting a war so that he can come home safely to his new baby.

• First person point of view of a mother with a new baby.

• A mother with a new-born baby who has nightmares that her husband might die at war.

Multiple Choice

What is the ROLE of the character in "Letters"?

• First person point of view of a new-born baby.

• First person point of view of a strong solider.

• First person point of view of a loving mother.

• Third person point of view of a loving mother.

Labelling

Label the features that are helping to develop the ATMOSPHERE in this image.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

High contrast lighting

Empty window

Bright lighting

Longing expression and gaze

Reflective expression and gaze

Open Ended

Explain how lighting, sound or costuming could be used to create atmosphere in "Letters".

The shape of the stage/performance space & use of the spatial design between performers & the audience.

Space

The actor-audience relationship. How are you using your body positioning, physical performance and voice to engage the audience?

Audience Engagement

Elements of Drama

Draw

How would you use the SPACE of the stage develop AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT if you were performing "Letters"?

Draw an image to illustrate how you would set out the stage for this monologue.

Meaning created through symbols via language, movement, gesture, objects, design and staging.

Symbolism

The force that engages the
performers & the audience.

Tension

Elements of Drama

Reorder

Reorder the following events to develop and maintain TENSION throughout the monologue "Letters".

• A woman misses her husband

• She has nightmares about her husband's death

• She wants her husband to know he is more than a solider

• She needs her husband to make it home to meet their son

• She sends pictures of her son - hopeful they will bring her husband home

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Categorize

Options (9)

Letter

Ringing doorbell

Marching boots

Baby

Empty chair

Cold bed

Red hair

Gunfire

Window

What items, props or objects could be used to symbolise the following feelings in "Letters"?

Love

Loneliness

Fear

Open Ended

Write a version of "Letters" were you use of the symbols on the previous slide as motif (reoccurring symbol) to highlight the mother's feeling of love, loneliness or fear.

Your response should be about 100-150 words.

(Hint: Use the symbol at the beginning and end of your short monologue).