Drama

There's nothing quite like performing in front of a live audience. Use the resources here to learn how to memorize lines, how to deliver lines with feeling, how to emote, how to project, and how to deliver a convincing performance.

What is Drama?

Drama is the process of creating and performing a play. It is a form of storytelling that uses physicality, voice, and imagination to bring a story to life. Drama can be used to entertain, educate, or both. It is a versatile art form that can be performed in a variety of settings, from the stage to the street.

Drama is often used as a tool for learning. It can help students to develop confidence and communication skills, as well as to explore and understand complex issues. It can also be a fun and creative way to learn about other cultures and history.

Drama can be an effective way to teach life skills such as cooperation, problem solving, and conflict resolution. It can also help students to develop empathy and understand different points of view.

The term "drama" comes from a Greek word meaning "action" (Classical Greek: δράμα, drama), which is derived from "I do" (δράω, drao). The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a collective form of reception. The structure of dramatic texts, unlike other forms of literature, is directly influenced by this collaborative production and collective reception.

Drama Resources

Basic Drama Projects

Basic Drama Projects

The best-selling project-based theatre text Perfect for both beginning and advanced theatre and technical theatre courses—students are actively involved in learning, a must in a drama course. 642 pages. Features step-by-step guidelines for...

Drama for Reading & Performance: Collection One

Drama for Reading & Performance: Collection One

Exciting plays by distinguished playwrights will revive your language arts or drama curriculum Drama adds interest and variety to your curriculum, develops speaking and listening skills, and builds students' confidence as they read or perform. Coll...

Shakespeare-ience

Shakespeare-ience

Make your Shakespeare unit a true Shakespeare-ience! Based in scholarship and incorporating the best teaching practices, these unabridged versions of Shakespearean plays will help students master the Bard's language and deepend their understanding of...

Raising the Curtain: Activities for the Theatre Arts Classroom

Raising the Curtain: Activities for the Theatre Arts Classroom

A creative and energetic theatre resource book Written for the theatre arts instructor, Raising the Curtain features hundreds of hands-on, on-your-feet activities for the novice to advanced theatre student. 402 pages. The eleven chapters i...

Stages of History:  Plays About America's Past

Stages of History: Plays About America's Past

A perfect integration of language arts and social studies Make learning interactive and exciting with eight original, royalty-free plays that focus on defining moments in American history. Flexible casting, adolescent protagonists, and minimal stagin...

One Act

One Act

Easy-to-follow read-aloud plays improve fluency and comprehension Introduce students to classic literature, folktales, and historical figures while building oral reading fluency, developing listening skills, and more. Each play is designed to be read...

THE 101: Introduction to Theatre and Drama Arts - YouTube

THE 101: Introduction to Theatre and Drama Arts - YouTube

Theatre 101 aims to answer several questions, the most important of which is, "what is the nature of the theatre experience?" Why do people do theatre? What do they hope to accomplish? What is the relationship between the performers and the audience?...

Drama for Reading & Performance: Collection Two

Drama for Reading & Performance: Collection Two

Exciting plays by distinguished playwrights will revive your language arts or drama curriculum Drama adds interest and variety to your curriculum, develops speaking and listening skills, and builds students' confidence as they read or perform. Coll...