Character Development Drama

Open Ended

What is the meaning of the word drama?

The word "drama" comes from the Greek word δρᾶμα (drâma), which means “action” or “deed.” This term is derived from the Greek verb δράω (dráō), meaning "to do" or "to act." In ancient Greece, "drama" referred to the performance of actions on stage, with an emphasis on telling a story through characters, dialogue, and conflict.

Open Ended

How would you organize a play?

Word Cloud

What elements of drama did you understand from the video?

​1. Plot

• The structured sequence of events in the story, involving a beginning, middle, and end. The plot includes conflicts, rising action, climax, and resolution, which drive the story forward.

2. Characters/Cast

• The people, animals, or entities who take part in the action. Characters have unique personalities, motivations, and development arcs that contribute to the story.

3. Setting/ Scenary

• The time and place in which the drama occurs. Setting provides context and can influence the characters’ behavior, mood, and actions.

• ​Protagonist

  The main character around whom the story revolves. The protagonist faces challenges and grows throughout the story. Example: Harry Potter

• Antagonist

  The character who opposes the protagonist and creates conflict. The antagonist isn’t always a villain but stands in the way of the protagonist’s goals. Example: Darth Vader in Star Wars.

• Supporting Characters

  These characters help develop the story and support the protagonist, often friends, allies, or mentors. They may have their own smaller storylines.

  Example: Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley in Harry Potter.

​Types of characters:

• Static Character

  • A character who does not change throughout the story. Their personality, beliefs, or attitude remains the same from beginning to end.

  • Example: Scar in The Lion King.

• Dynamic Character

  • A character who undergoes significant internal change, such as a shift in personality, attitude, or beliefs, often due to the story’s events.

  • Example: Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.

​Types of characters:

​4. Conflict The central struggle or problem in the drama, which creates tension and drives the narrative. Conflict can be: Internal (within a character, such as moral or emotional dilemmas). External (between characters, society, nature, or other forces).

5. Theme The underlying message, idea, or moral that the drama conveys. Themes give deeper meaning to the story and help audiences connect with the characters' experiences.

6. Dialogue The spoken words of the characters, which reveal their thoughts, personalities, and relationships. Dialogue drives the plot and reveals conflict and themes.

• ​Act: A major division in a play, like chapters in a book. Acts break up the action into large parts to organize the story.

• Scene: A division within an act that changes with a new setting, time, or shift in characters on stage. Scenes are smaller sections that make up each act.

• Stage Directions: Instructions in the script for actors and the crew. They describe actions, movements, or emotions (like "Emma enters from stage left, looking around excitedly") and often explain settings, lighting, and sound. Stage directions help actors and directors understand how scenes should look and feel.

​The Pizza Problem

Characters:

• Alex – Over-thinks everything.

• Jordan – Very laid-back, loves pizza.

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[Scene opens in Alex’s apartment. ALEX is pacing in front of a pizza box on the coffee table, looking stressed. JORDAN is lounging on the couch, casually scrolling on their phone.]

ALEX
(frustrated) I don’t know what to do. Should I get the large or the medium?

JORDAN
(without looking up) I don’t know, but I’d recommend the large pizza.

ALEX
(sighs) It’s just… too much pressure! I want enough for leftovers but not too many leftovers. What if I regret it?

JORDAN
(pauses, then looks at Alex seriously) You won’t be satisfied until you get the large. Trust me. It’s always the large.

​ALEX
(dramatically slumps onto the couch) But what if I can’t finish it? What if I feel like a failure?

JORDAN
(shrugs) You’ll feel like a failure with a medium too. You know it’s true.

ALEX
(looks at the pizza box, then at Jordan) Fine. Large it is. But only because you’ve convinced me.

JORDAN
(smiling) That's the spirit. Plus, you can always give me your leftovers.

ALEX
(eyes widening)
Wait, you were planning on stealing them?!

JORDAN
(grinning) Always.

[Scene ends as ALEX grabs the phone to order the large pizza.]

Multiple Choice

What is the primary conflict in the script?

• A) Alex and Jordan disagree on pizza toppings

• Alex is struggling with an internal dilemma about pizza size

• Jordan wants to eat all of the pizza

• Alex doesn’t know if they should invite someone to the pizza party

Multiple Choice

The setting of the script is:

• A pizza restaurant

• Alex’s apartment

• A park

• A coffee shop

Multiple Choice

A drama is a

• story with no dialogue.

• piece of scientific research.

• story that's meant to be acted out.

• short piece that is written in rhyme.

Multiple Choice

True or False: The only way to enjoy a drama is by watching it on a stage.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of a stage direction?

• George: Hello, Emily!

• [Both face front, shy throughout]

• George: You made a fine speech in class.

• Emily: I was really ready to talk about the speech.

Multiple Choice

Gluskabe: It is very cold this winter, Grandmother.

This is an example of:

• stage directions

• theme

• scene

• dialogue

Multiple Choice

[Enters Milo in his car.]

This is an example of:

• stage directions

• dialogue

• theme

• conflict