Section 4 Drama Forms

Drama forms

Drama Forms

Drama forms are composed within specific drama structures that define, shape, and differentiate ways in which drama is explored. Drama forms often follow an established design. Dramatic structures are movement, speech, improvisation, and scene work. Within these structures, the forms of drama are listed and defined below. Clowning The act of clowning draws upon skill-based exaggerated movements and gestures, in order to create humour for the audience.

Movement

Dance Choreographed dance is a prepared, rehearsed series of movements with or without music. Creative movement is free and exploratory movement, with or without music. Dance drama tells a narrative through dance and movement. Movement to music may be used as a warm-up activity. It is an exploration of how we use our bodies to explore space and communicate meaning in a narrative form. Stories to music involve general movements to communicate a narrative to the audience.

Mask Work Exploration of movement using masks to bring focus to the physical expression of the body.

Mime Pantomime is acting without words through facial expression, gesture, and movement. Communication is rendered through the silent acts of the actor. One who performs in this convention is a mime.

Stage Fighting Choreographed movements designed to simulate fighting between actors.

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Drama forms

Tableau A silent and motionless scene created by actors to draw focus to the main theme of the drama. The use of this genre is intended to draw upon audience reflection or to intensify the emotion of the scene. The plural of this genre is tableaux.

Improvisation

Character in Role A person role-playing a character in a particular situation. Sometimes teachers take on a role to assist with the drama process.

Improvisational Drama A spontaneous style of theatre in which there is no set script and where scenes are created without advance preparation.

Role Play Activity in which individuals assume identities other than their own.

Spontaneous Stories Verbal warm-up activity in which narratives are created.

Speech

Choral Work Ensemble speech or singing. Chanting could be also be used.

Monologues Long speeches by a single character.

Radio Drama A drama that is intended to be listened to instead of viewed.

Readers Theatre A performance created by actors reading a script.

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Recitation The oral presenting of a scripted piece of work. It often involves monologues, rhymes, ballads, etc.

Soundscape The use of various overlapping sounds to create an atmosphere.

Storytelling Relating stories to an audience.

Scene Work

Collective Creation The group process of writing an original script.

Docudrama The use of dramatic devices to illustrate a real life situation through performance. It could also be used to describe an imaginary event as if it were an actual event.

Puppetry Includes a broad range of props: almost anything brought to life by human hands to create a performance. Types of puppets include rod, hand, and marionette.

Story Theatre A theatrical performance of an existing story where every line of the story is spoken by the characters.

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