Introduction to Drama
with J uice, a play by Stephen Davis
Drama is a form of literature designed to be performed by actors in a theatre.
A play script includes the names of characters followed by dialogue, the words the actor is meant
to say aloud on stage.
A dramatic monologue is a long speech spoken by a single character to himself, the audience of
another character.
Sometimes an author will include stage directions. Stage direction can be used to describe
an action for an actor to do
a tone of voice for a line of dialogue
how the author wants the scene to look on stage
setting, the place and time of the scene
A play is divided into parts called Acts and scenes. A play may be anywhere from one to five or more
acts and each act can have as many short scenes as the director thinks it needs.
DIRECTIONS: After reading the opening two pages of the play, complete the questions below in
your notebook.
1. Fill out the chart below by including a text reference (quote) as an example of each of the
drama terms. The first example is done for you.
Drama Term Examples from the text, text references, quotes
character
Rodney, Melissa-Anne, Tony
dialogue
stage directions
setting
dramatic monologue
Answer the questions that follow in complete sentences.
2. The Ekka (p. 29) is a fair like the Darwin Show, held in Brisbane each year. In your
own words, retell Rodneys story about winning the yellow canary (a small bird) at the Ekka.
3. What is Rodneys opinion of his dad? Why do you think he says I dont want to be like
him.
4. What happened to Rodney is confusing because the author never specifically says. What do
you think? What evidence can you give for your opinion.
5. In this play the dialogue between Craig and Elizabeth is meant to be an interview happening
in the present time, while the scene with the actors that follows is a flashback happening in
the past. How are the two scenes related?
6. What do we learn about the characters in this short scene?
7. Below is a table with words, characters, and details. Write eight sentences using three words
in each sentence. The words must occur in a straight line across, down or diagonal in the
table. You will find one example at the bottom of the table.
Rodney
character
Melissa-Anne
canary
monologue
blame
Ekka
father
water tower
Example: Rodney and Melissa-Anneare characters in Juice, a play about a group of students
planning a party at the end of Year 10.
