Drama Review

Drama Vocabulary: Dramas and Plays

• Dramas and Plays are meant to be acted out

Drama Vocabulary: Acts vs. Scenes

• Acts are major divisions in a play, & they are divided into scenes

• Think of Acts like "Part 1" or "Part 2" in a book

• Think of Scenes like chapters in a book

Drama Vocabulary: Tragedy versus Comedy

• Tragedies: main character suffers a terrible downfall

• Ex: The Hunger Games, Titanic, A Series of Unfortunate Events

• Comedy: amusing play with happy ending

Drama Vocabulary: Soliloquy vs. Aside

• Soliloquy: When one character speaks alone in a play

• Aside: When an actor speaks to the audience without other characters hearing him

Multiple Choice

Mr. Frank: It’ll be hard, I know. But always remember this, Anneke. There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind. Miep will bring us books. We will read history, poetry, mythology. (With his arm about her, they go over to the couch, sitting down side by side.) As a matter of fact, between us, Anne, being here has certain advantages for you. For instance, you remember the battle you had with your mother the other day on the subject of overshoes? You said you’d rather die than wear overshoes. But in the end you had to wear them? Well now, you see, for as long as we are here you will never have to wear overshoes! Isn’t that good? And the piano! You won’t have to practice on the piano. I tell you, this is going to be a fine life for you! (Anne’s panic is gone.)

Which stage directions show us that Mr. Frank has calmed Anne down?

• “(She starts down the stairs.)”

• “(. . . Anne realizes what ‘going into hiding’ means.)”

• “(. . . Anne realizes what ‘going into hiding’ means.)”

• “(Anne’s panic is gone.)”

Multiple Choice

Mr. Frank: It’ll be hard, I know. But always remember this, Anneke. There are no walls, there are no bolts, no locks that anyone can put on your mind. Miep will bring us books. We will read history, poetry, mythology. (With his arm about her, they go over to the couch, sitting down side by side.) As a matter of fact, between us, Anne, being here has certain advantages for you. For instance, you remember the battle you had with your mother the other day on the subject of overshoes? You said you’d rather die than wear overshoes. But in the end you had to wear them? Well now, you see, for as long as we are here you will never have to wear overshoes! Isn’t that good? And the piano! You won’t have to practice on the piano. I tell you, this is going to be a fine life for you! (Anne’s panic is gone.)

What can you tell about Anne’s relationship with her father from the dialogue and stage directions?

• She is angry at her father for grabbing her arm.

• She has a close relationship with her father.

• She doesn’t respect her father’s decisions.

• She wishes her father would treat her like an adult.

Multiple Select

How do the stage directions from the beginning of the play, A Doll's House, add to the meaning of the text? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.

ACT I [SCENE.--A room furnished comfortably and tastefully...The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter. A bell rings in the hall...Enter Nora, humming a tune and in high spirits...She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a Porter who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the Maid who has opened the door.]

• to reveal how the characters really feel about each other

• to describe where and when the drama take place

• to introduce some of the characters

• to give more information about the home of some characters

Multiple Choice

How does the author use stage directions in the play, The Anniversary, to add to the meaning of the text?

KHIRIN. [Rudely] As it’s an anniversary, Andrey...I’ll ask for a special favour. Please...don’t interfere in my family life.

• to make sense of Khirin’s problem

• to emphasize Khirin’s [the main character's] tone of voice

• to speak secretly to the audience

• to show the humor in Khirin’s statement

Multiple Choice

What BEST EXPLAINS why a character speaks in an "aside"?

• to point out an unimportant fact within the drama

• to yell so loudly so all characters could hear everything being said

• to speak directly to the audience without the other characters hearing or knowing

• to give readers a weaker understanding of a situation or character

Multiple Choice

What BEST EXPLAINS why an author would include a soliloquy in a drama?

• to explain past events that happened before the beginning of the drama

• to understand where and when a drama takes place

• to display a conversation between two or more characters

• to show the inner thoughts and feelings of a character

Multiple Choice

Based on this excerpt from Shakespeare's play, Othello, how does the use of stage directions help readers better understand the text?

IAGO. Awake...thieves! thieves!...

[Brabantio appears above at a window.]

BRABANTIO. What is the reason of this terrible summons?

• It displays the sadness of the scene.

• It shows where Brabantio is standing.

• It compares Brabantio with Iago.

• It reveals Iago’s inner thoughts.

Multiple Choice

How does the use of stage directions below from Act 3 of the play, The Importance of Being Earnest, add to the meaning of the text?

Lady Bracknell. ...who is that young person whose hand my nephew Algernon is now holding?...

Algernon. I am engaged to be married to Cecily, Aunt Augusta...

Lady Bracknell. ...I merely desire information... [Jack looks perfectly furious, but restrains himself.]

• to make sense of the beginning of the play

• to contrast (to show the difference with) how the characters actually feel with how they act

• to reveal the setting of the play

• to confuse readers even more about the characters

Multiple Choice

How is the purpose of drama different from the purpose of other types of fiction?

• A drama is not designed to delight and to teach.

• A drama is meant to be publicly performed so people could have a shared experience within a community.

• A drama would definitely make more money if made into a movie than a book of fiction.

• A drama always has more relatable characters than books of fiction.

Multiple Choice

How does the author's use of an "aside" in an excerpt from a student play below add to the meaning of the text?

[loud noise]

Michael. Did you hear that? I think there is an animal in the garage! [loud noise]

Russell. Yes, I heard it. I think you’re right. It could be a raccoon, or maybe a squirrel...

Michael. Quick, do something!

Russell. [aside] Well, I guess this problem isn’t going to fix itself. [cautiously walks outside to investigate the noise]

• It describes the relationship between two characters.

• It shows the importance of making TikTok videos.

• It explains why squirrels and racoons like to play.

• It reveals a character’s feelings about a situation.