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An introduction to the unique structural components of drama and how they differ from prose.
Imagine you are a director about to film a blockbuster movie. You have the actors and the cameras, but how do they know where to stand, what to say, or even who they are? The script is the secret map that makes it all possible.
A play script is a blueprint for a performance. Unlike a novel, which uses paragraphs to describe everything, a play is divided into specific parts. It begins with the Cast of Characters, a list of every person in the play, often with a short description of their roles. The largest divisions of a play are called Acts. Think of an Act like a "part" or a "chapter" in a very long book. Most plays have between one and five Acts, representing the major movements of the story.
How to identify the cast: 1. Look at the very first page of the script. 2. Find the heading Cast of Characters. 3. Identify the names and descriptions (e.g., PROSPERO, a Duke or MIRANDA, his daughter).
Quick Check
What is the primary difference between a 'Cast of Characters' and a list of characters in a novel?
Answer
The Cast of Characters is a formal list at the beginning of the script used to help directors and actors see everyone needed for the performance at a glance.
Inside each Act, you will find Scenes. While an Act represents a major portion of the story, a Scene is a smaller unit. A new scene usually starts whenever the setting (time or place) changes. If the characters move from a sunny park to a dark kitchen, the playwright starts a new scene. This helps the stage crew know when to change the scenery and helps the audience track the passage of time. If a play has scenes, each one serves as a building block for the overall narrative.
Follow these steps to track a scene change: 1. Read the heading: SCENE 2: The Library, later that evening. 2. Notice the change in location (Library) and time (Evening). 3. Recognize that the previous scene (Scene 1) has ended because the physical environment must be reset.
Quick Check
If a character walks from their bedroom to the living room, why might a playwright call this a new 'Scene'?
Answer
Because the physical location (the setting) has changed, requiring a different stage setup.
The heart of a play is the Dialogue. In a novel, you see tags like "he said" or "she whispered." In a script, the character's name is written in BOLD or ALL CAPS, followed by a colon. Their words follow immediately. To tell actors how to move or speak, playwrights use Stage Directions. These are usually written in italics or placed inside [brackets]. They are instructions for the actors and director and are not meant to be read aloud during the performance.
Analyze this script portion: 1. MARCUS: (shouting) Where did you put the map? 2. [He slams his hand on the table.] 3. SARA: (calmly) It's exactly where you left it, Marcus.
Analysis: Marcus is the speaker; the text in parentheses tells him his tone; the bracketed text is a physical action (Stage Direction).
What is the largest organizational unit of a play script?
How can you distinguish Stage Directions from Dialogue in a script?
A new scene is typically created whenever the setting or time changes.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to recall the three main things that usually trigger a new scene in a play.
Practice Activity
Try this on your own: Take a short conversation from a book you are reading and rewrite it as a play script using proper dialogue and stage direction formatting.