Drama: Glossary
This glossary clarifies the meaning of selected key words and concepts as they are used in this curriculum statement. Not all drama terms used in the statement are included; where a word is clearly defined in the dictionary, it has not been defined here.
art work a product of art-making activity (e.g., a devised drama, play script, comedy sketch)
chorus a convention in which individuals or groups provide spoken explanation or commentary on the main action of a drama
commedia dell'arte an improvised style of comedy popular during the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, originating in Italy and involving stock characters and the use of masks
communication conveying or transmitting meaning within a particular context
conventions established ways of working in drama (e.g., hot seating, role on the wall, freeze-frame images) that explore meaning or deepen understanding; or established practices in theatre (e.g., the soliloquy, aside)
culture understandings, patterns of behaviour, practices, values, and symbol systems that are acquired, preserved, and transmitted by a group of people and that can be embodied in art works
devised drama drama that is developed for performance without originating from a script, although a script may be developed as part of the process
elements of drama the key ingredients of drama (e.g., role, time, space, action, tension, focus)
fale'aitu traditional Samoan comic theatre, usually addressing social issues or problems
flashback or flashforward a convention that involves shifting backwards or forwards in time so that participants or the audience can experience or investigate action or context from another perspective
focus an element of drama in which a particular moment in time or position in space captures the essence of the dramatic action; or a theme, character, or other aspect that gives purpose or impetus to a drama
form the compositional structure or structures that shape a dramatic work; or a broad category of drama, which may include within it a number of styles (e.g., puppetry is a form, and glove puppets, marionettes, and shadow puppets are styles)
freeze-frame image a convention in which the members of a group use their bodies to make an image or tableau capturing an idea, theme, or moment in time; also called a group sculpture or tableau
hakari a Maori celebratory meal or feast
hot seating a convention in which class members question or interview someone who is in role (e.g., as a character from a play, a person from history) to bring out additional information, ideas, and attitudes about the role
idea a visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic concept, or a combination of these, within an arts discipline
improvisation spontaneous invention and development of drama without use of scripts or preparation
interpretation analysis or appreciation of meaning in an art work by a viewer or listener; or the particular meaning communicated by the performer of an existing art work
kaumatua a Maori elder
korero paki storytelling and riddles
mapping a convention in which maps or diagrams are made in order to develop or reflect on drama
meaning what an artist expresses in an art work; or what a viewer or listener understands and interprets from an art work
mime a form of theatre performance in which action and character are suggested using gesture, movement, and facial expression without words or sounds
narration a convention in which a person narrates the action that occurs within a drama
overheard conversation a convention in which a conversation that would not normally be overheard by others is disclosed in order to add tension or provide information
process drama a form of drama in which the purpose is to participate in learning, inquiry, or discovery rather than to present drama to an audience
role on the wall a convention in which an important role is represented in picture form "on the wall" (usually on a large sheet of paper) so that information can be collectively read or added to as a drama progresses
role-playing using the imagination to identify with someone else in order to explore and represent experience from their perspective or viewpoint; also called being in role
social text an art work that refers to the society or culture in which it is made and that reflects the dynamics within that society or culture
soundscape a sequence of sounds shaped to enhance action and mood in a drama
speaking thoughts aloud a convention in which the action freezes and a character speaks his or her thoughts aloud in order to add tension, provide information, and so on
storytelling a dramatic convention in which a story is presented through action, dialogue, and narration (by an external narrator or by characters within the drama)
style a specialised type of drama within a broader form (e.g., commedia dell'arte is a style within the form of mask comedy); or the recognised manner or distinguishing way in which a particular type of drama is created and presented and according to which it is interpreted; style often relates to a particular historical period, movement, writer, or performer
teacher in role a teaching strategy where the teacher manages a class from within a drama by taking a role to deepen and extend students' inquiry and learning
technique a particular method or procedure used to achieve a specific purpose; in drama, the term relates to the use of voice, facial expression, gesture, and movement
technologies equipment that helps to create, present, explain, document, analyse, view, interpret, or learn about dramatic work (e.g., puppets, masks, lighting, props, sounds, costumes, recording equipment)
tension an element of drama in which mental pressure or emotional intensity is used to provoke a response, focus attention, or heighten involvement
text any expressive work (artistic or otherwise) that can be "read", whether it uses words, images, or sounds |
