Conceptualizing a

character, setting,
and plot for a one-act
play.
 One-act
A one-act play is a short play that usually

play
lasts between 10 and 40 minutes, and
has a single plot, setting, and theme. It
can be a standalone piece or part of a
collection of one-act plays.
 Conceptualizing characters for a drama
● Conceptualization of characters in a story demands
from the writer the creation of details about a character's
life and even the character's history.
● Common conceptualization practice among writers is
giving the character a life and form.
● Physical attributes, skills, and abilities are important
matters to handle before proceeding to other vital
information about the character's other backgrounds in
the story.
 Creating a backstory
• Backstories clear the doubts inside the minds of the
audience as it serves the purpose of explaining why the
character behave in such manner.
• These are vital to characters as it forms the essence of
who they really are in the drama. With
conceptualization and a good backstory, characters
stay consistent in the script.
 Example
The one-act play by Alberto S. Florentino "The World is an Apple".
The characters are driven by their own desires. Either for good or
for bad, each character happens to have personal motivations
corresponding to their actions. Mario decides to go back to his 'old ways'
for the sake of saving his sick daughter Tita; Gloria, Mario's wife, tries
her best to keep him away from Pablo for fear that he might go back to
his 'old ways'; and Pablo wanted Mario to 'reunite' with him in his evil
dealings with his promise of good life and obviously for his personal
gains at the risk of Mario's life doing the 'dirty' job. Each character has his
or her own motivations and these motivations make them unique and help
drive the plot into action.
 Ritual & drama: differences
• Conceptualizing the motivations and backstories are important. They help
create characters. But remember, these are just abstract ideas. Showing
them to the audience is another matter for the writer to hurdle.
• You convey these abstract ideas to your audiences by creating what is
called a character development, the process of crafting a unique, three-
dimensional character with a personality, depth, and motivations. A
character's personality is conveyed through the way he or she speaks,
moves, and interacts with others, along with mannerisms and expressions.
These may sound way insignificant, but they play a big role in creating
that personality needed. The personality is crafted through a process
called characterization.
 Develop a setting of the drama
• The setting is a very important element in a drama. Setting, in the case of a
drama production, is concretely visible to the audiences and not merely a
creative mental picture which is usually its effect in a narrative work like
in short stories and novels. The setting plays a big part also in the stage
production and other technical elements so there is always a careful
consideration to it.
• There are many aspects into which a writer could develop his or her
setting: historical period, geographic location and physical landscape, the
weather and climate, societal and cultural surroundings, or simply the time
of the day. All of these are potential aspects in creating an effective setting
which contributes to the creation of a backdrop for the drama.
• A. Geographic Location: Your drama might be set in a
real place like a particular barangay or a province or city.
This place can be found in the real world and one can
always check it on the map.
• B. Physical Location: This refers to the immediate
surroundings of the character which is important to
highlight like a character's room or any part of the house.
• C. Physical Environment: This aspect of setting is in the
natural world; characters are usually affected by forces of
nature and that includes the weather or climate.
D. Time Period: This aspect pertains to the historical
period but it can also be a season of the year (Summer), a
time of the year (Christmas) or time of a day (evening).
E. Social and Cultural Environment: This aspect is
interconnected with geographical location and time period.
Social and cultural environment reflects societal norms and
trends in your drama. Say for example the drama is set in a
high school campus in the mid-90s. Societal norms and
trends specific to teenagers during those times is highly
reflective in your drama.
 Developing a plot of a one-act play
• Big drama productions are called "small siblings of movies". A one-
act play, on the other hand, is labeled as the "infant of the family".
• By definition, one-act plays are technically short plays. These are
dramas that take place in only one scene where characters come and
go. Since there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also
only one setting.
• One-act plays generally run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
 Developing a plot of a one-act play
• Big drama productions are called "small siblings of movies". A one-
act play, on the other hand, is labeled as the "infant of the family".
• By definition, one-act plays are technically short plays. These are
dramas that take place in only one scene where characters come and
go. Since there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also
only one setting.
• One-act plays generally run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
 Developing a plot of a one-act play
• Big drama productions are called "small siblings of movies". A one-
act play, on the other hand, is labeled as the "infant of the family".
• By definition, one-act plays are technically short plays. These are
dramas that take place in only one scene where characters come and
go. Since there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also
only one setting.
• One-act plays generally run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
Here are some pointers to remember in developing the plot
of your one-act play production.
• A. Choose a Brief Subject. In this stage, selecting a good
short story is a good start in case an adaptation is to be used
as technique. But if you have something original in your
mind, that would also be fine. What matters is that you
should always remember to give your one-act play the
needed plot, actions, and characters to make it a complete
story. Always start with the actions then proceed to the
dialogues before you decide on anything else.
B. Develop the Characters- Craft a character sketch right from
the start. This helps you give form and depth to your characters and
bring life into them. Give your characters motivation in life by
making them hurdle conflicts. This is important in any plot
development.
C. Develop the Settings- A one-act play has a singular setting but
it should be developed in a manner that audience would see
everything about the story line. Effective stage setting involves
sensory perception of the audience. Hence the idea on the use of
lighting and sounds and other effects (audio or visual) helps the
setting in creating the mood. However, you as the writer should
note this as stage directions.
 Developing a plot of a one-act play
• Big drama productions are called "small siblings of movies". A one-
act play, on the other hand, is labeled as the "infant of the family".
• By definition, one-act plays are technically short plays. These are
dramas that take place in only one scene where characters come and
go. Since there is only one scene to depict, therefore there is also
only one setting.
• One-act plays generally run for less than an hour long. The curtains
open and close only once. Though the one- act play is short, it does
not mean that plot is sacrificed. Just like full-length dramas, one-act
play also observes complete dramatic plot structure.
Direction: Read and understand carefully the statements in every item and
then choose the letter of your choice. Use a separate sheet of paper for
your answers.

1. What element of drama is simply defined as the environment in which an

event takes place?
A. Setting B. Plot C. Character D. Theme
2. What type of setting refers to the immediate surroundings of the character?
A. geographic location B. physical location
C. physical environment D. social environment
3. A drama production is set in the town of Gapan, Nueva Ecija during the
Japanese period. What type of setting is used?
A. physical location C. cultural environment
B. time period D. geographic location
4. Specific setting is categorized into two. Which specific setting is
considered to be generic and does not express specific time reference?
A. backdrop setting C. periodical setting
B. imaginary setting D. integral setting
5. What is the simple definition of a one-act play?
A full-length drama C. A play with various acts
B. A short play D. A play with limited elements
6. All-important actions and technical happenings on stage are noted by the
writer on the script. What do you call this element in the script?
A. stage directions
B. stage instructions
C. technical direction
D. technical instructions
7. Which of the following statement is TRUE about one-act play?
A. A one-act play is constrained by a necessity for a simpler
plot.
B. A one-act play has a fewer speaking characters.
C. A one-act play has shorter span and limited location.
D. all of these
8. What do you call the development and portrayal of a personality
through thought, action, dialogue, costuming, and make-up?
A. dialogue
B. Appropriation
C. Articulation
D. characterization
9. Characters move in the plot because they are driven by desires
and needs which eventually ties them to the conflict. What do you
call this movement by the characters?
A. character backstory C. character motivation
B. character assassination D. character personality
10. What is the purpose of a character backstory?
A. It aims to explain a detail of the past of a character
B. It aims to explain a particular behavior the character shows at
the present
C. It aims to insert a flashback in the plot of the drama
D. All of the choices
The Power of Creation! Directions: As a creative drama script writer, give characterization,
potential setting description or a plausible plot actions depending on what is asked. You shall be
given a score in every item based on the rubrics provided. Number one is done for you. Use a
separate sheet of paper for your answers.
For example:
The Campus Nerd:
a. He is short and skinny.
b. He wears thick glasses.
c. His got braces on his teeth
d. He carries a backpack full of books and gadget.
1. The K-Pop Fanatic:
2. A mental hospital
3. A stray bullet hit your friend straight on top of his head while the two of you were
watching fireworks display at the plaza: