Adv.

English 1

Difference Between Scene and Act

In a performance or a drama, acts and scenes are vital in sequencing or separating the narration or story into manageable
parts for the audience, the actors, and the people working behind the performance. The division of the performance is also
important to have a good flow of the narration or story itself.

The act and the scene are both visible in the play’s script and performance. For instance, in script form, both the act and
scene headings are styled with capital letters in order to have a visual and distinct separation of one progression to
another for the actors as well as the other people involved.

However, the similarity between an act and a scene ends there. The act is often defined as the major division of drama
and forms the basic structure of a performance. In a script or play, the act heading is in capital letters followed by the act
number in Roman numerals. The number of acts is dependent on the playwright or director. Each act often lasts for 30 to
90 minutes, but it can be shorter if there are many acts or if the play or performance is not in the conventional full-length
duration.

An act is very long because it is a collection of different scenes that flow together and establishes a major part of the story.
Since the acts are very long, there are allotted breaks or intermissions between acts. The intermission is used for the
actors and the people in the production to prepare for the next act while the audience can refresh themselves or socialize
with other patrons.

Breaking or outlining a play or a performance into acts should be carefully designed to fit the story flow. Many plays are
already in sequence by their respective playwrights, but a director can also do this if the latter wants to have a new
interpretation of the play.

On the other hand, a scene applies to different things in theater. A scene can refer to the actual action that takes place in
a specific and single setting and moment in time. It usually begins with the entrance of an actor (which starts the action)
and ends with the exit of the actor (the signal of the end of action). This brief dialogue and action moves the flow of the
narration from scene to scene and from act to act until the whole performance is over.

Since a scene is not long and needs to move on to another scene, it is a component of an act and a smaller portion of the
whole play. It is usually a few minutes long (depending on the dialogue and action) compared to a whole act.

In a script, the scene title is in capital letters accompanied by ordinal numbers. A scene also refers to the scenery or
fixtures placed on the stage to provide the atmosphere and environment of a particular scene or piece of action. The
scene, as a fixture, reinforces the action and gives the action depth and a realistic context.

Questions:

1. Acts and scenes are part of a play or performance. What are the differences between the two?

2. Acts and scenes structure a play, and it can be revealing to consider why the acts are divided as they are?