The Elements of Drama

Define the element of 'role'

• the situation

• encompasses the purpose, status, attitude and motivation of a character

• the connections between people

Define the element of 'tension'

• the driving force of the Drama

• the overall atmosphere

• the unknown

• suspense

Define the element of 'focus'

• the place where action is generally set

• the era

• to frame the action and actors concentration

Define the element of 'place'

• the sense of setting or location

• inside the action

• presence in performance

Define the element of 'time'

• counting of number of steps taken within a certain amount of time

• heritage or contemporary

• the overall flow of the performance, the setting or era and rhythm of performance

Define the element of 'language' and 'movement'

• the words we say and how we say them

• speaking style

• non-verbal communication

Define the element of 'mood'

• emotional feeling

• the overall atmosphere

• use of music

Define the element of 'symbol'

• a tangible representation of something elusive

• the use of colour

• a gesture or sound made to another

Define the dramatic element of situation

• the overall atmosphere

• refers to the context of the drama, the who, what, when and where

• the driving force of the drama

Define the dramatic element of contrast

• changing the colour filter of a performance

• recognisable differences to show the opposite

• the overall context of a performance