Important Terms
The author of the play
Playwright
The positioning of the actors
Blocking
Conversation between two characters
Dialogue
When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
Dramatic Irony
The style of speaking that can reveal character
Diction
Tells the actors how to move and speak
Stage Directions
The movement of the actor's body.
Gesture
Is a long speech by one person during a conversation.
Monologue
Means you have to put aside your disbelief and accept the premise as being real for the duration of the play.
Suspension of Disbelief
A character who contrasts directly with another character to highlight certain qualities.
Foil
Objects used by the characters during a play
Props
The main character in the play.
Protagonist
Is the play opening that gives important background details
Prologue
A humorous character, scene, or dialogue in a serious work.
Comic Relief
The main character in a tragedy
Tragic Hero
Divisions of a theatrical work
Acts/scenes
Antagonist
When a character speaks at length to him/herself on stage alone
Soliloquy
The imaginary barrier at the front of the stage. To break this means to speak directly to the audience.
The Fourth Wall
The weakness of the tragic hero that brings about his or her downfall
Tragic Flaw
Dramatis Personae
Is a secondary story within the main ploy
Subplot
When a character speaks to the audience
Aside
An appeal to the emotions of the audience
Pathos
A character with excessive pride
Hubris