Drama mediums

Drama MediumsSalvatore Sorce

Salvatore Sorce/ Drama Mediums 2

Drama Mediums Refers to the different ways in which dramatic meaning is communicated to an audience: • Costume • Mask And Make Up• Sound And Music • Lighting• Space, Levels And Proxemics • Set And Props • Movement, Mime And Gesture • Voice• Spoken Language


Costume• Can be used to clarify the character’s

age, social class and rank• Each period helps to dictate posture

and movement • Props serve as an extension of touch

and clarify the relationship between characters e.g. fan = flirting/anger

• Can be used to outwardly express the character’s internal emotional state


Masks• Ancient Greeks –rituals became ritual

drama. Masks were exaggerated in expression and fitted about the mouth of the actor aiding voice projection

• Middle Age – during the 12th -13th Centuries, masks were worn to dramatise the character to the extreme. Masks were grotesque, usually of Satan or one of his minions.

• Renaissance Italy – in 15th Century Commedia dell arte consisted of characters so ridiculous in moral, that mask choice had to be absurd.


Make upMake up can be used to:• accentuate• beautify • disfigure• age and • emphasise aspects of a character


Sound and Music Music is most commonly used for dancing and interludes of entertainment for the audienceMore recently sound has been used for cinematic effects to underscore emotional tempo of a scene both to introduce and end


LightingCorrect choice of lighting can:• Direct audience attention• Focuses on particular elements of the

play: introducing character/event or allows character/event exit

• Sets atmosphere, mood and emotional tone for scene


Space and Levels Theatre in the round

– Original theatre, used by the Greeks, adapted now to modern spaces i.e. National Olivier and Scarborough

– Consider using for large scale productions – Olivier theatre

Proscenium stage– Traditional theatre used late 17th

to early 20th. Considered the norm, use of the 4th wall e.g. Lyttleton theatre

– Has limitations in performance and staging


Space and Levels Semi thrust stage

– Used in Elizabethan period – e.g. Shakespeare’s Globe

– Audience can both watch the main stage and surround the apron on three sides e.g Globe

Two sided or traverse stage– Audience is predominantly on

two sides of the stage, facing each other.

– Ideally used to focus action on a even level with audience and to remind audience of theatrical event. i.e. Brechtian productions. e.g. Cottlesloe


ProxemicsProxemics refers to the positioning of people in relation to each other and the use of interpersonal space. Reinforces the significance of relationships between characters due to their proximityCan be extended to include the positioning of the cast in relation to the audience and the use of the space in the auditorium section of the theatre


Set and Props Sets place the action of the playCan be minimal or extravagantCan suggest an environment or recreate a complete oneProps – what is their purpose?For set or for characters?What is the significance of a prop used in a scene i.e. a gun in Ivanov by Chekhov? What does a prop tell the audience about the character?What does a prop reveal about the inner workings of the character by the way they relate to the prop?


MMGMovement, mime and gesture dictates the audience perception of the characterQuestions to ask: at what speed does the character move?Are the movements direct or indirect?What manner of movement – fluid, staccato, light, heavy etc?What is the natural posture of the character?How much of the character can be told through mime or dumb show?What gestures are symbolic of this character? What do the gestures express? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_Movement_Analysis Is there a reason for the character to adopt this form of movement or gesture?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_Movement_Analysis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laban_Movement_Analysis


Laban Movement


VoiceVoice dictates the audience perception of the characterQuestions to ask:Where is the voice placed: chest, larynx or head?Is the voice resonant and deep or high and nasal?Vocal mannerisms? Specific emphasis?Accent or dialect? Pace of speech?Volume?How do all these contribute to the audience perception of the character?


Spoken LanguageFollowing on from voice the choice of language indicates the way the character thinks:How comfortable are they using language?Are they an energised or expressive, loquacious speaker?Are they a taciturn, short speaker?Are they laconic? Low energy?Are they an intelligent speaker? Is wit a part of approach?Are they mute? How do they express themselves if so?How do all these contribute to the audience perception of the character?


Drama Mediums Refers to the different ways in which dramatic meaning is communicated to an audience: • Costume • Mask And Make Up• Sound And Music • Lighting• Space, Levels And Proxemics • Set And Props • Movement, Mime And Gesture • Voice• Spoken Language

Drama MediumsSalvatore Sorce

Drama mediums

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