Dramatic theory

Dramatic theory

Theories about theatre and drama.

Industry: Drama

Add a new term

Contributors in Dramatic theory

Become a Contributors

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.

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 ...