The Elements of Theatre
Dramatic/Literary Elements
Script: The text of a play,
film, or TV show. It includes
all of the dialogue as well as a
description of the action.
Plot or Storyline: The step-
by-step progression of events
that make up the story. You
can generally divide a good
plot into at least three
sections–
The Beginning: Here we
usually learn important
information about who the
characters are, how they
are related to each other
and what has already
happened in their lives.
The Middle: In the
middle of the story more
complications develop and
the conflict grows and
grows. Eventually the
plot builds to a climax or
turning point.
The End: After the
turning point comes the
end of the story where all
further conflict is resolved
and all the loose ends are
tied up.
Setting: The place and time
period of the story.
Character: The “people” who
inhabit a story. Their actions
move the plot forward.
Dialogue: The lines of the play
spoken between the actors.
Used to express thoughts,
feelings and actions.
Monologue: A long, unbroken
speech in a play, spoken by a
single character.
Conflict: The struggle of
opposing goals, forces, or
ideas. It is necessary to keep
the audience interested in the
story and create dramatic
tension.
Production/Technical
Elements
Scenery: The structures (flats,
backdrops, platforms, etc.)
built to indicate the
environment of the story.
Costumes: The clothes worn
by the characters in a play.
Costumes are often an
important clue to the
character’s personality and
culture. They can also convey
the historical period in which
the play is set.
Props: Short for properties.
The furniture and hand-held
objects used in play
production.
Sound and Music: The audio
portion of a production that
can include sound effects,
recorded speech or music, or
even a live orchestra on stage.
Makeup: Cosmetics applied
to the actor’s face or body to
alter or enhance his/her
appearance or suggest
character.
Performance Elements
Roles: The characters the
actors are to play in a story.
Character: The characters are
the “people” who inhabit a
story.
Acting: The creation of a
character in a play. The actor
combines the tools below to
help portray character.
Vocal Expression or
Speaking Style: This refers to
the actor’s conscious use
and/or alteration of their voice
to convey character traits.
Speaking with an accent is one
example.
Movement: The actor creates
a character and helps tell the
story with their movement as
well as their voice. The way
an actor walks, gestures and
stands can tell a great deal.
Listening: As well as
speaking, a good actor listens
carefully to the other actors
and reacts as if he/she is
hearing what they say for the
first time.
Storytelling: A performance
where one individual recounts
a story in the oral tradition,
primarily using vocal
expression and gesture.