One-Act Play
What is a one-act play?
A form of drama written in one act
Number of cast
Typically 2 to 7 characters
What is a setting?
What is a Script
The story that has been written for actors to perform
What is the definition of a synopsis?
A brief summary that gives audiences an idea of what a specific play is about
What does it emphasize?
Dramatic intensity
Usual Duration
15 minutes to an hour
What is another term for characters?
Action drivers
What is a Cue
A signal (a word, action, or sound) that prompts an actor to speak or act
What are the main types or genres of plays?
Tragedy, Comedy, History, Romance
Earliest record
'Cyclops' by Euripedes
What does it avoid in its plot?
Unnecessary details or backstories
What is the series of character actions that relate to the central conflict called?
What is the role of the Director?
Oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production, interprets the script, guides the actors, unifies production elements
What does a synopsis do?
Verbalize key ideas, provides an overview of the main points
What does it focus on?
A single event or problem
What elements serve the core conflict?
Dialogue, action, and character interaction
This is the general statement about people or life or the meaning behind events.
Theme
In Stage Directions, what part of the stage is the "Upstage"?
Area of the stage farthest from the audience, towards the back wall
What are the key elements of a Play Synopsis?
-Title and playwright
-Setting/time Period
-Main characters/supporting characters
-Main conflict
-Resolution
-Climax
Who pioneered the widespread popularity in the early 20th century?
J.M. Barrie and Anton Chekhov
Describe Aristotle's classical unities of time, place, and action.
Unity of Time - Confines action to a short period (single day or less)
Unity of Place - Restricts setting to one simple location
Unity of Action - Ensures a single dominant plot without subplots
What are the characteristics that a dialogue must have?
Natural, appropriate to the characters, concise, and full of meaning
What does the Stage Lighting do?
Enables the audience to see the actors on stage, directs attention to where the action is happening, illuminates the scenery, etc.
Give examples of Dramatic Devices that could be used in a play
foreshadowing, soliloquy, dramatic irony, monologue, narration, flashbacks