37 Terms
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Dramatic theory
Theories about theatre and drama.
Industry: Drama
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Dramatic theory
act
Drama; Dramatic theory
A major unit (or structural division) of a dramatic text. Many classical plays are divided into five acts; most modern plays have two, to allow for an intermission. Usually, an act consists of a ...
scene
Drama; Dramatic theory
An action unit within an act. Usually, transition from one scene to another involves a new stage situation and a fresh episode, marked either by a change in time and/or location, or by an empty ...
set
Drama; Dramatic theory
The objects and the backdrop making up a stage scenery (e.g., a table, a couch, three walls of a room). In a playscript, the set is usually described in an initial block stage direction.
porperties
Drama; Dramatic theory
Generally, the set of moveable objects needed by the actors. In a technically oriented or ('actorly') playscript, the disposition of these objects is sometimes described in a textual section called ...
primary text
Drama; Dramatic theory
The primary text of a playscript consists of the speeches of the characters, including prologues and epilogues, if any.
secondary text
Drama; Dramatic theory
The secondary text of a playscript consists of all textual elements that do not belong to the primary text; specifically, the play's title, subtitle, historical notes, dramatis personae, stage ...
actor
Drama; Dramatic theory
An actor is the person who, in a performance, impersonates a character.
