Instructional Module in

Art Appreciation

Preliminaries
I. Lesson Number 7
II. Lesson Title Theater Arts
III. Brief Introduction There are lots of scenarios in the society that an individual
of the Lesson may not be aware of if he/she is only on his/her own sphere. An
art form that could help him/her grasp wider knowledge of
societal issues and events is needed to open his/her eyes to
many possibilities.
IV. Lesson Objectives At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
a. Manifest understanding of theater arts;

b. Appreciate drama and its types; and

c. Write a play review and identify the elements.

Lesson Proper
I. Discussion
Drama comes from the Greek word “dran” meaning to do, to act or to perform. Like
fiction, it is the art of make-believe, it consists in part of acting out events that happened or
that are imagined happening.
Aristotle defines drama as “the imitation of an action”

Theater or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers,
usually actors or actresses, to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a
live audience in a specific place, often a stage.
It is considered as the “Queen of the Arts”.
Elements of Drama
A play structure that gives shape and form to theater are its dramatic elements.
1. Plot - The play is composed of a plot which is the overall structure of the play
and the series of incidents through which the characters move and tell a
particular story.
a. Exposition
b. Rising action
c. Climax
d. Falling action
e. Resolution

2. Characters - The characters of the play are the interesting people who are
involved in the dramatic situation. The protagonist is the character whose goal is
to overcome the conflict or solve the major problem in the play. The person
opposing him is the antagonist. These two are the leading characters. There are
also secondary characters essential in the plot’s development.

3. Setting – refers to the time and place in which the action occurs. It also refers to
the scenery and physical elements that appear on stage to vivify the author’s
stage direction.

4. Dialogue - Through the author's skill in using dialogue and action, he is able to
portray his character, clarify his theme, and enhance his plot. Dialogues also
 establish the tone or mood of the play and help establish tempo and rhythm.

a. Soliloquy- longer speech, one character, no others on stage can hear

what is said and reveals inner thoughts or motives of a character
b. Aside - shorter comment, one character, no others on stage can hear
what is said, comments on the action of the play, reveals judgments or
hidden secrets

5. Theme - is the central idea of the play, is presented by the playwright through the
conflicts of the characters with each other or with life situations.

6. Music in drama involves the actor's use of oral language. Here, the aspects of
the voice - pitch, tone, volume, stress, tempo, silence - are employed to achieve
vocal variety. Aside from the performer's voice, music could also be used to set
the mood of the audience for the presentation or to heighten the emotional
impact of particular scene.

7. Movement – the stage direction gives information as to where the characters

are, when they move, and perhaps even the significance of their movement. The
stage direction enhances the actor’s interpretation of the character’s action.

Types of Drama
1. Tragedy
a. a drama in which the hero fails to fulfill his goal/s
b. his failure is attributed to his tragic flaw
2. Comedy
a. a drama in which the hero succeeds in fulfilling his goal/s
b. it focuses on the protagonist who is successful in his plan/s
3. Tragicomedy
a. a drama in which the hero fails with respect to some goals but succeeds
with respect to the other goals
4. Farce
a. a drama written by an author whose intention is to poke fun at the hero,
his subject.
5. Melodrama
a. a drama that focuses not on the protagonist, but on the action or situation
b. characterized by a sentimental love story, sensational actions,
extravagant emotions and a happy ending
Styles of Dramatic Presentation
In the theater, style refers to how a play is written, performed and produced.
1. Naturalism
 present the effect of actual reality on the stage
 extreme of realistic play
2. Romanticism
 presents life as an ideal, where people seem to epitomize perfection
3. Symbolism
 the personified or objectified abstract ideas and concept
4. Expressionism
 through distortion and sensationalism in staging and scenery, abstract ideas
and concepts are presented
5. Allegory
 usually personifies human or animal qualities and teaches lesson through the
use of imagery and implied meanings
II. References
Adajar, C. et al. (2018). Art appreciation. Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Cerbo, S. et al. (2010). The arts: An introduction to the humanities. Caloocan City:
Suatengco, Publishing House

Prepared by:

JOAN KASHMIR D. FAJARDO, LPT

Instructor