Drama Mediums for Journals

My drama teacher gave us a great list of theater lingo to help us make more sense and guide us in our journal writing! Just thought I’d put an personalized version of it up here to share and not forget it J

Drama Mediums - the tools an actor can use to convey meaning and create the elements of Drama

1) The use of costume, masks and/or makeup

- creates characterizations, sets time period, place, atmosphere and/or mood, hghlights genre

2) The use of sound and/or music & the use of lighting

- creates atmosphere, sets mood, climax/ anti- climax created, tension created, highlights feelings of characters, creates contrasts for irony

3) The use of space and/or levels

- shows relationships, symbolizes objects/ideas & themes, communicates power & tension, makes visual interest (for audience)

5) The use of set and/or props

- set time period, style of play, further the action/ plot/ content, symbolic (sometimes), create emotive responses & add to characterisations

6) The use of movement, mime and/or gesture

The following words/ phrases may help when describing it:

* Space – think of your position compared to others, what that says about your characters/ the scene

* Timing – think of rhythm, is it regular/ irregular, it’s pace (fast for tension, slow for suspence, etc.)

* Weight – think of your movements, how does the weight of your movements affect the other characters, what ideas/ emotions does it represent ?

* Flow- think of your movements, do they run smoothly or disjointedly, what’s the overal group effect ?

« Movement can be used to:

* Focus the audience’s attention on important themes/ ideas

* Communicate emotion

* Create an atmosphere

* Create tension

* Symbolize an object, place and/or idea.

* Communicate power

* Communicate relationships » - Mr. Lawrence Espinosa

7) The use of voice and spoken language

The following words/ phrases may help when describing it:

• Pausing & Phrasing – used to signal thoughts & emotions

• Pace – your rate of speech

• Pitch – vocal note of your voice (high or low)

• Inflection – your voice uses multiple pitches

• Emphasis – making phrase/ word stand out

• Projection – from how far away you are audible

​Actors manipulate their voice because it can communicate emotion, power and can create an atmosphere or tension – but particularly because the audience would fall asleep if everything was stated in a dull, monotonous voice. It would be boring.