Introduction To The Elements Of Drama
SECOND TERM PRIMARY 6
CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ART
SECOND TERM
Subject :
CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ART
Term :
SECOND TERM
Week:
WEEK 4 and 5
Class :
PRIMARY 6 / BASIC 6
Previous lesson :
The pupils have previous knowledge of
that was previously taught as a topic during the last lesson
Topic :
Introduction To Elements of Drama
Behavioural objectives :
At the end of the lesson, the pupils should be able to
- Say what is the meaning of elements
- Define drama
- List the elements of drama
- Say the meaning of plot, scene, actor etc
Instructional Materials :
- Musical instruments
- Microphone
- Music Manuscript
- Speakers
- Related Online Video
- Flash Cards
- Drama costume
Methods of Teaching :
- Class Discussion
- Group Discussion
- Asking Questions
- Explanation
- Role Modelling
- Role Delegation
Reference Materials :
- Scheme of Work
- Online Information
- Textbooks
- Workbooks
- 9 Year Basic Education Curriculum
- Workbooks
Content :
Meaning of theatrical elements
There are some important elements required for the success of a play presentation. These elements involve man and technical ability. By ‘man’, we mean the actors and actresses, while ‘technical ability’ refers to the quality of the script and of the costumes used during a play presentation. They are called the theatrical elements. Other parts of these elements are the stage, audience, set, light and costume.
We shall now briefly describe these elements.
Elements of play production
1 The script is the written story of a play to be acted in a theatre. It is written by a playwright. The playwright writes a script (story), either through his or her imagination, or from experience in daily life.
2 The stage is the raised area in a theatre on which actors perform. There are different types of stages, such as arena stage and open stage.
3 The audience refers to those who come to watch a play. They are there to enjoy the performance. The audience is very important in drama presentation because they are the ones that either commend or ondemn a play. The success of a play is thus determined by the way the audience accepts it.
4 The set is the place where a film or television programme is filmed.
5 The light refers to the location and the time of the day on which a play is performed. It directs the attention of the audience to particular areas of the stage. So lights are used in the theatre to illuminate or produce any required effect.
6 The costume is the set of clothes that are used by actors or actresses to portray the roles they play. The costume can be made to make an actor look younger or older, or in any other way required.
Personnel of play production
These are actors, actresses, and other persons who handle the camera and other equipment during play production. They are responsible for the development of a play production from the beginning to the end. Such other persons include the playwright, director, designers, stage manager and business manager. Let us study briefly what they each do.Roles of personnel of play production
Producer
He oversees all aspects of staging a production. He sources and pays for the script, finds the director, employs and pays everyone needed in a play production. He also provides money for other materials needed for the play production.
Director
He approves and interprets the play script. He is the head of the creative team. He coordinates, organises and directs all production materials and personnel towards giving life to a script, i.e. the performance.
Playwright
This is the writer of a play. He is the creator of an art work. He conceives an idea and writes it down in a dramatic form, i.e. a script. He may sell his right, i.e. the script to a producer, or produces the play by himself if he has the financial ability. In that case, he becomes the writer and producer of the play production.
Scenic designer
He makes the atmosphere of the play interesting and realistic. The designer and director work together to ensure the appropriate setting and environment for the play
Lighting designer
This is a technical man who uses his tool, i.e light to narrate a story just as the actors. He lights the stage for actors, and creates visual effects which enhance interpretation and understanding of a play. He can create night scenes or day scenes with the effect of his light even when the play is staged during the day.
Costume designer
He/She provides clothing for the overall appearance of a character or performer. His/Her design must also be in the line with the director’s concept of the production.
Costume design
Sound designer
He designs and directs the audio effects (sound effect) of a production. The audio designer/sound designer can either manipulate already composed or recorded sound effects or dialogues or create, through composition, a completely new effect to meet the desired sound effect.
Make-up designer
He/She applies make-up to the skin of the actors to transform or enhance the appearance of the actors in agreement with the dictates of the script or the concept of the director. Stage manager. He/She supervises the physical aspect of a stage production; assists the director during rehearsals and also takes charge of the stage during a performance.
Property manager
He/She is responsible for purchasing, acquiring and/or manufacturing properties needed for a production. He also works with other members of the production by managing the physical appearance of the stage or set.
Business manager
This is an employee of the theatre who ensures the running of the business aspect of the theatre. He is responsible for the financial needs of the personnel in a play. He is responsible for the publicity and marketing needs of a production. He recruits and manages staff generally. He is also responsible for the care of the customers, i.e. the audience. He operates from the box office.
Actors and actresses
These are male and female who perform or take part or play-role in a production. They use voice, body and action to interpret the story/script.
Note: The entire personnel mentioned above work together to ensure the success of a play production. No wonder the saying that play production is a ‘collaborative effort’.
Presentation
The topic is presented step by step
Step 1:
The class teacher revises the previous topics by asking some questions that are related to the previous topics
Revision
- What is a choir made up of
- Mention 3 types of parts in a choir
- What is melody
Step 2.
He introduces the new topic by taking the following steps.
Teachers Activities
- What is drama
- Who is an actor
- What is a plot
- What is characterization of characters
Step 3:
The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own examples and he corrects them when the needs arise
Pupils Activities
- Model a stage play
- Let the pupils take up the role of actors and actress
- Encourage pupils to write up their own scripts
- Teacher correct them when the need arise
Conclusion
The class teacher wraps up or conclude the lesson by giving out short note to summarize the topic that he or she has just taught.
The class teacher also goes round to make sure that the notes are well copied or well written by the pupils.
He or she does the necessary corrections when and where the needs arise.
Evaluation
1. A ____ is an outline of events in a play (a) stage (b) plot (c) actor
2. The grouping of actors in a play that is based on their thoughts, spoken words or attitude is known as ____ of characters (a) characterization (b) modeling (c) indication
3. A play that ends sadly is called a ___(a) comedy (b) tragedy (c) satire
4. ____ are males that perform in a play or drama (a) Actors (b) Actress (c) Heroes
5. _____ is a raised platform where actors and actress perform. (a) Pulpit (b) Stage (c) Discipline
7. List and explain five elements of the theatre.
8. Mention five people involved in the theatre and explain their roles.
9. Write short notes on the roles of the following theatre personnel:
(a) Playwright (b) Director (c) Actor (d) Stage manager (e) Scenic designer
10._____ is an employee of the theatre who ensures the running of the business aspect of the theatre (a) Business manager (b) Lighting Man (c) Make up designer