IGCSE Drama Glossary

IGCSE Drama Glossary

Key Terms

• Drama: a form of performance that tells a story, conveys emotions, and explores human experiences
• Theatre: the physical space where a drama performance takes place
• Script: the written text of a drama, including dialogue and stage directions
• Character: a person or role portrayed by an actor in a drama
• Role: a part or function played by an actor in a drama
• Actor: a person who performs a role in a drama
• Director: the person responsible for interpreting the script and guiding the actors' performances
• Stage: the area where the drama takes place, including the setting, props, and actors

Drama Techniques

• Improvisation: spontaneous, unscripted performance, often used to develop characters or explore themes
• Mime: a technique that uses silent, exaggerated movements to convey emotions and actions
• Pantomime: a type of drama that uses exaggerated gestures, facial expressions, and body language
• Monologue: a speech delivered by a single actor, often to express their thoughts or feelings
• Dialogue: conversation between two or more characters in a drama

Drama Elements

• Plot: the sequence of events that make up the story of a drama
• Theme: the underlying idea or message explored in a drama
• Characterization: the process of creating and portraying a character's personality, traits, and backstory
• Setting: the time and place in which a drama takes place
• Props: objects used by actors to support the drama and enhance the performance

Performance Styles

• Realism: a style that aims to recreate real-life situations and characters
• Naturalism: a style that focuses on the everyday, mundane aspects of life
• Stylization: a style that uses exaggerated or distorted elements to create a specific effect
• Abstract: a style that uses non-realistic, symbolic, or experimental elements to convey meaning

Drama Basics

• Drama is a form of performance that tells a story, conveys emotions, and explores human experiences
• Theatre refers to the physical space where a drama performance takes place

Script and Performance

• A script is the written text of a drama, including dialogue and stage directions
• Character refers to a person or role portrayed by an actor in a drama
• Role is a part or function played by an actor in a drama
• An actor is a person who performs a role in a drama
• A director is responsible for interpreting the script and guiding the actors' performances

Performance Space

• The stage is the area where the drama takes place, including the setting, props, and actors

Drama Techniques

Improvisation and Mime

• Improvisation is spontaneous, unscripted performance, often used to develop characters or explore themes
• Mime is a technique that uses silent, exaggerated movements to convey emotions and actions
• Pantomime is a type of drama that uses exaggerated gestures, facial expressions, and body language

Dialogue and Monologues

• Dialogue refers to conversation between two or more characters in a drama
• A monologue is a speech delivered by a single actor, often to express their thoughts or feelings

Drama Elements

Story and Theme

• The plot is the sequence of events that make up the story of a drama
• Theme refers to the underlying idea or message explored in a drama

Character and Setting

• Characterization is the process of creating and portraying a character's personality, traits, and backstory
• The setting is the time and place in which a drama takes place

Props

• Props are objects used by actors to support the drama and enhance the performance

Performance Styles

Realism and Naturalism

• Realism is a style that aims to recreate real-life situations and characters
• Naturalism is a style that focuses on the everyday, mundane aspects of life

Stylized and Abstract

• Stylization is a style that uses exaggerated or distorted elements to create a specific effect
• Abstract is a style that uses non-realistic, symbolic, or experimental elements to convey meaning

Test your knowledge of key drama terms with this IGCSE drama glossary quiz. Learn about the basics of drama, theatre, scripts, characters, and more!