  Drama
This week: Edited by: StephBee  
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DRAMA IS:
#1 - The Greek word for "action."
#2 - A real situation or succession of events having the dramatic progression or emotional content of a play.
Theme in drama writing is your way as a writer to share your ideas on life through story, character, and cinematic images. After putting together our play, "War and Wine," in our last couple of newsletters, we'll examine themes in drama writing. Something to keep in mind: "What's the theme of "War and Wine?"
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Theme is found everywhere in a play. It's in the action, embedded in the dialogue, and reflected in the way characters act and respond. But, what is it?
Themes are the meanings we give to our life experiences. We have an experience, say we lost a job, we're having a baby, or we got a promotion. By trying to see them from a bigger perspective, we try to learn from them so we don't repeat the same mistakes.
 TIP: As you develop a theme for your own play don't preach. Share your theme through your characters, dialogue, and story.
What are some common themes found in daily life?
Finding ourselves
Coming of age
Fulfilling our calling
Other themes include:
Power and control
Greed
Manipulation
Betrayal
Justice vs injustice
Integrity
Loyalty
Finding love
Sexism
Racism
In script writing, how can you convey your theme? Through the following:
 Dialogue
 Characters
 The ending
DIALOGUE
Dialogue can quickly and effectively communicate your theme. Let's take "Volker" from "War and Wine."
******
VOLKER
Fifty cases of chardonnay should be sufficient for Berlin.
CLARIE
Fifty! You're being greedy, Herr Schleich. Fifty is too much!
VOLKER
Greed is good. It makes Berlin happy.
******
CHARACTERS
Characters can be used to compare and contrast themes. In "War and Wine," the character of Volker has been established as greedy. What about Edmund? Is he greedy, loyal, or selfless?
THE ENDING
The ending of a play can also illustrate your theme. A happy ending can cement those themes that are positive and upbeat, while a cynical ending might drive home more cynical points like, "greed is good."
YOUR VALUE SYSTEM
How we incorporate theme into our life affects our values. (usually our value system is expressed through our characters) Themes like identity, integrity, community, and self-esteem are dynamic and can evolve as us, and our characters have more experiences and grow. As you read, "War and Wine," do you think loyalty is more important to Edmund than honesty at the beginning of the story?
For those following our play, "War and Wine," Scene II has been added.
|  | War and Wine (13+)
Young Edmund Huet struggles to maintain his family's vineyard during World War II.
#1452559 by StephBee |
DISCUSSION: What is your favorite movie or play? What's the theme of it? Write in and share your ideas!
Drama Competitions
Thanks to flex who sent this in!
The 4th STAGE International Script Competition. This contest is looking for plays (approx 70 mins running) that focus on science and technology. The science fiction genre is not wanted. Here's a link:
http://www.cnsi.ucsb.edu/stage/guidelines/guidelines.html
Next: Shadows & Light in drama writing.
Reference material used for this newsletter is from: "Making a Good Writer Great," Linda Seger, Silman-James Press, 1999. |
The following are some recent links listed in the Script/Play section of Writing.com
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#1462905 by Not Available. |
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#1466270 by Not Available. |
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#1463188 by Not Available. |
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#1461218 by Not Available. |
Some Drama Activities on WDC:
|  | Drama Forum (13+)
For those of us drama queens and kings, a forum to swap writing ideas and post questions
#1394242 by Joy  |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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flex
Your 'in depth' for developing a play is most useful, Steph. I am enjoying seeing these characters flesh out before my eyes. Thank you for highlighting "The Play's The Thing" in the activities section. 
It's my pleasure to highlight "The Play's The Thing." It's all about drama!
StephBee is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her book, "Destination:Berlin," was published by IUniverse and received a review from the "Midwest Book Review." |
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Drama: September 17, 2008 Issue [#2608]
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