Drama / Role-play Name: Date: Period: (A) Basic components of a role-play Setting Characters Problem Resolution (B) To do list for writing a script and putting on a play As a group, Develop an outline for the story Write the first draft of the script Rewrite the script to get it right Give everyone a speaking part in the play *Select group members to carry out the following tasks: Make and find props Make and find costumes Carry out rehearsals Give the performance (C) Play scripts Play script Checklist Features of a play script Characters Does my play script have: a scene heading an introduction Narrator a Narrator Brackets (..) At least 2 characters Scenes Stage directions words characters say colons after characters names Colons : brackets ( ) to show what actors are doing full stops Verbs capital letters Adverbs a question mark (D) Performing an exclamation mark How the emotions, feelings or motivations might be conveyed or expressed 1
Emotions, Feelings and Motivations Verbal cues Non-verbal cues 1. Dislike curt replies pouting mouth, wrinkling nose 2. Boredom uninterested voice rolling eyes, shrugging, looking away 3. Happiness that s great, whoa, light laughing smiling, eyes open wide 4. Excitement wow jumping up and down, arm waving 5. Sadness we re sorry, it hurts, crying hands covering face, quietness, walking away 6. Confidence certainly, of course good posture, good eye contact, open chest 7. Nervousness stuttering, false starts biting lip, avoiding eye contact, breathes unevenly 8. Bewilderment asking questions, oh, my God! open mouth, opening hands/arms in a questioning manner 9. Pain ouch, grunting wincing, holding the part of the body that hurts 10. Anger and annoyance loud voice, imperatives, swearing finger wagging, ignoring or not acknowledging the other person 11. Superiority imperatives that are demanding get me that, dominating the raised eyebrows, sneering, raised chin conversation 12. Love (care and kindness) my dear, agreeing, using the person s name you are addressing holding hands, hugging, leaning towards the other person 13. Love (attraction) honey, sweetheart, flirting touching hair, brushing up next to the person, embracing 14. Fear low and weak voice, screaming sniffling. trembling, heavy breathing, lowering eyes 15. Disgust yuk, that s gross clenched teeth 16. Politeness thank you, please, would you mind giving way to others, opening doors/pulling out chairs for others 17. Doubt are you sure?, really?, questioning scrunching eye brows [Adapted from Learning English through Drama (Secondary 4-6) A Resource Package, English Language Education Section, CDI, EDB] (E) Common Problems Changing the scene too often Impossible to do on stage Identity not clear to audience Stage directions not very clear 2
(F). Tips on performing a play Speak up! Don t talk too fast! I love you! I love you. ShallIcomparetheet oasummersdaythou artmorelovelyandmo retemporateroughwi ndsdoshakethedarli ngbudsofmayandsu mmersleasehathallt ooshortadate Put expression in your voice, face and movements Let the audience see you! Keep in character all the time! Don t panic if something goes wrong! Be serious!! Remember, the audience cannot see the script. Remember everyone is important An outstandingly good or bad performance in a minor role can make a huge difference to the success of the whole group s presentation. 3
Writing a drama script Pre-task Analyzing a drama script about two lovers Here is the beginning of a short drama called Valentine s presents. Romantic Restaurant Romeo: Oh please, Juliet Please marry me I can promise you anything if you marry me. Juliet: (Delighted) Are you sure? Romeo: Yes, of course!. Underline the following items and write the letter next to them on your worksheet. Scene: Characters: A restaurant in Hong Kong, dinner time Two young lovers: Romeo, Juliet A waiter The title of the drama (A) The place where the drama happens (B) (Romeo and Juliet finish a delicious dinner at the restaurant. Romeo suddenly takes out a bunch of flowers.) Romeo: Dear Juliet, here are 99 red roses for you! Juliet: (Surprised) Wow! They are so beautiful! Thank you, Romeo! They must be very expensive Romeo: (Kneels down and takes out a diamond ring) Dear, will you marry me? Juliet: (Shocked & embarrassed) Oh dear Please stand up, many people are looking at you. (The nosy waiter walks towards the table and pretends that he s adding some water for them.) Romeo: I will not stand up if you don t marry me. Juliet: Don t be silly, Romeo Marriage is a very important thing. I have to think about it carefully The people in the drama (C) What the people are doing at the beginning (D) An action somebody does when they are speaking (E) The feeling somebody has when they are speaking (F) 4
Romantic Restaurant This is the title of the drama (A) Scene: Characters: A restaurant in Hong Kong, dinner time Two young lovers: Romeo, Juliet A waiter This is the scene or setting, the place where the drama happens (B) These are the characters, the people in the story (C) (Romeo and Juliet finish a delicious dinner at the restaurant. Romeo suddenly takes out a bunch of flowers.) Romeo: Dear Juliet, here are 99 red roses for you! Juliet: (Surprised) Wow! They are so beautiful! Thank you, Romeo! They must be very expensive Romeo: (Kneels down and takes out a diamond ring) Dear, will you marry me? Juliet: (Shocked & embarrassed) Oh dear Please stand up, many people are looking at you. (The nosy waiter walks towards the table and pretends that he s adding some water for them.) Romeo: I will not stand up if you don t marry me. Juliet: Don t be silly, Romeo Marriage is a very important thing. I have to think about it carefully Romeo: Oh please, Juliet Please marry me I can promise you anything if you marry me. Juliet: (Delighted) Are you sure? Romeo: Yes, of course! This is a stage direction. It tells you about movement or actions. Stage directions are written in brackets ( ) and in the present tense. (D) When a person speaks, we write who is speaking When a new person speaks, we write it on a new line This stage direction tells us what Romeo is doing while he is speaking. (E) This stage direction tells us how Juliet feels. She shows her feelings in the way that she speaks (F) The young lovers dressed elegantly. The clothes people wear in a drama are called costumes. Romeo is holding a diamond ring. Small items which the actors use or hold in a drama are called props 5
Name: Class Period: Writing a Drama Script. Brainstorm a story idea Your script must take not more than 5 minutes to perform, but there can be actions as well as speaking. Refer to the worksheet of drama ideas for your selected latter/fax/e-mail. Every group member must have a role in your drama. You can use props and costumes. Write your plan for your drama script here Characters: Scene: Props and Costumes: Here are some questions for you to think about: Do you want your drama to be funny or serious? Do all classmates like the event? Do you have any interesting ideas? Will you use props and costumes? Synopsis* General points Don t change the scene. 5 minutes is too short for this For a five-minute drama, you will need to write about 2-3 sides of A4 (alternate lines) Keep everything simple. Can you act it out on stage? If not, change it * a synopsis is a brief summary of what happens in the drama. It should be written in the present tense 6
Write any additional Notes here: 7