The World of Drama: How Much Should You Know

The western world's dramatic tradition is more than two thousand years old. That's a lot of plays. Through the centuries many new forms have evolved and, of course, modern drama has embraced new media such as radio, film and television. Drama is the actor's bread and butter - but how much in-depth knowledge do you need?

Perhaps you were attracted to acting because it's a practical, hands-on kind of thing. Acting is active (from the Greek meaning 'to do'). It's the opposite of sitting at a desk. Studying Hamlet (let alone Aeschylus or obscure avant garde theatrical works) might not be what you had in mind when you embarked on your acting training.

The good news is that a Masters degree in literature might give you valuable insight into appreciating writing, genres and the history of expressive forms but it isn't necessarily going to boost you all that much as an actor. That said, a good understanding of the rudiments of dramatic works can be vital. That's why it is taught as an integral part of many acting courses. A grasp of the language of drama is crucial. A tragedy, for example, is a whole lot more than a sad story.

The role of an actor is to interpret dramatic works, roles and characters. Interpreting texts and understanding how they function is what literary scholars also do. Cultivating some of those skills will help you understand characters and bring them to life. You will appreciate how dramatic tension is created and the importance of structure. Unless you're a mime, an appreciation of language and dialogue is crucial to effective acting.

Some understanding of the development of dramatic forms will help you appreciate the possibilities of drama and the range of choices and 'treatments' available to actors and directors. Understanding the innovations of the giants - the playwright Chekhov, the dramatist Brecht, the films of Bergman or Tarantino - enrich the actor's dramatic imagination.

It's about appreciating content as well as form. You can't understand Ibsen without also understanding how his plays challenged Victorian morality. You can't even get a grip on Eastenders without appreciating how it is a product of our times. If you land a role, some knowledge of dramatic traditions may also help you get your head around your director's approach.

Practical Issues

Let's say you've struck it lucky. You have a good chance of a role (maybe just a small one) in production A or B. Which should you choose? There may be all sorts of considerations (pay! hours! commuting!) but you'll certainly want to go for the one that will bring you to attention and best showcase your talents. A general appreciation of drama will help you evaluate the script. You need to be a good critic to be able to evaluate whether one might be a hit and the other a bomb.

To assess a script you also need to appreciate the differences in dramatic media. Scripts for film, TV and the theatre have very different requirements and demand different ways of working from actors. If you have a feel for your medium then, as an actor, you'll gain a sense of what rules can be bent or broken and which to leave alone.

All actors learn from watching other actors and assessing their performances. A good actor is one who interprets the script and character well (in one of several possible ways). To emulate good acting, you'll need to recognise it when you see it. So what was it that was great about performance X? One dimension of that will be the actor's dramatic intelligence.

Some actors may have that intelligence without knowing their Shakespeare from their Schiller. But as a general principle, the wider your knowledge of your subject, the better-equipped you will be to act and to carve a path in the acting world. Obviously, your exploration of your materials may vary, depending on whether you're aiming for the RSC or voiceover work.

If you love acting and the world of drama, learning about dramatic works will hopefully be enjoyable, not a chore.. It may be more interesting if you recognise what a knowledge of text and performance can do for you as an actor. If you're taking an acting courses or drama lessons here and there, it's something you might profitably consider learning more about it.