All in the Technique
This technique was used by Shakespeare and other playwrights of the Renaissance. It provides all the backstory at the beginning of the play, in a lengthy speech delivered by a single character.
What is Historical Technique?
The highest point of the play, when a recognition and/or reversal occurs.
What is a Climax?
A single small topic that is introduced, developed and concluded.
What is a Beat?
When the play was written.
What is Time of Composition?
The combination of past and present details that make up the world of the play?
What are Given Circumstances?
This Technique is used by Hansberry and N. Richard Nash. It reveals more and more important details as the play goes on.
What is Retrospective Technique?
When tensions are at their highest and a change must occur. Kissed or Slapped.
What is a Crisis?
A single large topic that is introduced, developed and concluded.
What is a Scene?
Where the characters are in the world. Examples include Victorian Era Norway, 1950s Chicago, and Depression Era USA.
Internal Actions. (Without Singing It)
What are Accusations, Assertions, Plans, and Commands?
This technique was used by Wilde and Ibsen. The backstory is given at the beginning of the play, typically in a dialogue between two characters. These scenes are typically referred to as a cup of tea or an below the stairs scene.
What is Modern Technique?
Character’s opposing views of each other.
What is a Conflict of Role?
An open confrontation between two major characters, about the play's overarching theme.
What is an Obligatory Scene?
Where the characters are in their scenes. Examples include The Helmer's Living Room, The Younger's Living Room, and The Jail Cell,
What is Specific Locale?
The idea that the play should be read/studied from the inside out.
What is Formalist Analysis?
This technique is used by Beckett and Fosse. It reveals little backstory and allows the audience to come to their own conclusions about the story.
What is Minimalist Technique?
A COMmon point of disagreement between characters.
What is a Complication?
Another name for Falling Action, "Doll's House" lacks one of these.
What is a Denouement?
The 4 Economic Systems
What are Capitalism, Socialism, Mercantilism, and Laissez Faire.
Aristotle's 6 elements of drama. (Hint: People Cherish Thunder Dragon’s Mighty Spears)
What are Plot, Characters, Thought, Dialogue, Melody, and Spectacle?
Trestle at Pope's Lick Creek is a combination of these two playwright techniques.
What are Retrospective and Minimalist?
An attribute shown by a character that is multifaceted, who changes throughout the play. Examples include Nora, Krogstad, and Walter Lee.
What is Complexity?
A collection of related beats.
What is a Unit?
Shared beliefs and behaviors that are acceptable by the society in which the characters live.
What are Social Standards?
Stanislavsky's 5 Objective Guidelines. (No Using Gestures)
What are...
should come from the characters goals
should be directed at other characters
should describe the inner life of the character
should relate to the plays main idea
should be framed in the form of an active concrete verb