Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
gcse drama notes - Coggle Diagram
gcse drama notes
staging
proscenium arch staging - end on only one side of the stage, but in an older style theatre with a decorative arch framing thew whole stage called proscenium arch
end on staging - when the audience sit on one side of the stage only, facing it in the same direction
in the round staging - when the audience are placed all around the outside of the performers playing space. the stage area may be circular or square, with entrances and exits through the audience
traverse staging - when the audience is placed on either side of the actors playing space or stage, facing each other. this staging form is also called corridor.
thrust staging - when the audience surround the stage on three sides, and the other side connects to the backstage one
-
A proscenium arch describes the frame that surrounds a stage space, separating the audience from the stage. this helps to create a fourth wall, which is particularly appropriate for naturalistic productions. the audience all sit facing the same way, often raised and the audience sit in raked ( sloped at an upwards angle) seating, meaning that drapes and large pieces of scenery can be used without obstructing sightlines. the blocking is relatively easy as the audience sit in one fixed position. a disadvantage is that the audience can be quite far from the stage, making it difficult for them to see and hear the performers and be as immersed in the action.
end on staging is similar to proscenium arch, but without the arch frame around the space. many black box (a versatile studio space that is painted black) studios are set up with end on staging, meaning that the stage space is on one side of the room and the audience sit on the opposite side. as with proscenium arch staging, blocking is usually simple as the audience all face the same direction and sit in a fixed position.
in the round the audience sits around the stage on all sides, and the performers enter and exit though the audience on walkways. provides an intimate atmosphere and fully immerse the audience in the play. performers need to move and change their positions frequently so that all audience members remain engaged and don't look at a performers back for too long. in terms of design, set pieces cannot be too high or they will obstruct sightlines (the view of the performers or audience) and lighting can be challenging. lanterns (the technical term for a stage light) need to be positioned carefully so that they don't shine in to the audiences eyes.
a traverse stage is long and narrow with the audience sitting on either side. as with theatre in the round, the audience can see each other ,which helps to remind them that they are at a theatre and immerse them in the action on stage. however, it also means that scenery must be low so that it doesn't cause obstruction, so backdrops cannot be used
thrust stage sticks out into the audience, who sit on three sides. like proscenium arch and end on staging, there is a back wall that can be used for hanging backdrops and large scenery. blocking is easier than in the round and traverse staging as there is a back wall, so performers don't have to worry about having their back to the audience.
promenade - the audience moves to follow the performers around the space and are often site specific in interesting and unusual locations, even outdoors, rather than in purpose built theatre spaces
-
genre and style
genre refers to the type of story being told and is decided by the playwright. the style of a play is how the work is presented on stage
for example a play in the tragedy genre features a serious plot with a sad ending, whereas a comedy features a light hearted plot with a happy ending. epic theatre, developed by Bertolt Brecht, seeks to educate the audience bout political issues. it uses a range of dramatic devices to remind the audience that they are watching a play, keeping the audience intellectually and politically engaged, rather than just emotionally involved or entertained.
physical theatre is a style of theatre where the storytelling or emotional content is achieved through physical movement, rather than just dialogue. melodrama is a style that features a highly dramatic plot, an over the top acting style and stock characters (a classic and two dimensional character often seen as a cliché)
-
dramatic structure
how the plot or story of a play is laid out, including a beginning, a middle and an end. plays may also include subplots, which are smaller stories that allow the audience to follow the journey of different characters and events within the plot. plays also feature an element of conflict, which does not necessarily mean a fight of argument but instead an obstacle that needs to eb overcome. a typical dramatic structure is linear ( to follow a series of events in real time without the use of flashbacks or flash-forwards) with events occuring chronologically. this may includ;
exposition - intorudces backgroun events and characters
rising action - a series of events that create suspense in the narrative
climax - the part of the story where the suspense reaches its highest part
falling action - the main conflict starts to resolve
resolution - the concluation of the story where questions are answered and loose ends are tie d