The 12 most important elements of the Theater (and what they are for)

The theater is, at the same time, an art and a literary genre. It is made up of a series of elements: the actors and actresses, the text (or script), the costumes, the makeup, the lighting, sound, director, scenography, audience (public), objects, choreography and voice in over.

In this article we will know the 12 most important elements of theater. We will explain what they consist of, their characteristics and what they are for.

Theatrical tradition

Etymologically, the word "theater" comes from "theatron", Which in Greek means"a place to look”. The theater, also called “dramatic genre”, is a literary genre written by playwrights (those who write plays are called “playwrights”).

The objective of this genre is to represent a story through one or more characters who communicate with each other through dialogues (script of the play). The theatrical work is exhibited before an audience.

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The most important elements of the theater

Of the 12 elements of theater already mentioned at the beginning,

we found 3 that are even more essential than the others: the actors and actresses, the audience (the audience) and the text (or script). That is why we will expand on its sections.

The other 9 elements of the theater, but they are also important, and enrich the play or show. Let's see what each of these 12 elements of theater consists of:

1. Actors and actresses

The first of the elements of the theater, and of outstanding importance. Actors and actresses are people who have studied dramatic arts, and who present the play and its history through scripts, scenes, actions, clothing, etc. Namely, have the mission of transmitting that story to the public Through his words, actions, gestures, etc., giving life to the different characters.

In every play there is at least one actor or actress, and there is often more than one. However, we must emphasize that a theatrical work can also be developed through marionettes or puppets (that is, it is not essential that they be people). In this second case, these are works especially aimed at children.

The intonation of the actors is usually energetic, with a forceful tone and with a moderately high volume, so that the voice reaches the entire audience (and to give forcefulness to the character). Both your verbal and non-verbal language greatly influence the story of the story, in the actions of the actor and in how the audience perceives his role or role.

2. Text (or script)

The next of the elements of the theater is the text of the play. The text is called a script when said work is going to be developed in the cinema or on stage. In it the story is presented and explained; It thus includes the development of the facts, the scenes, the dialogues (or monologues), etc.

That is, it encompasses the entire plot, dividing into: approach, middle (or climax) and outcome. A detail to be known from the text is that it uses parentheses to specify the action that occurs while the passage in question is pronounced.

The text is divided into acts (it would be the equivalent of the chapters in novels); the acts, in turn, are divided into smaller fragments, called pictures. Without the text the play would not exist, so it is another of the elements of the theater considered essential.

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3. Locker room

The costumes include the clothes and accessories worn by the actors and actresses (or puppets). The wardrobe is a key element to identify the characters, since it is part of their role, history, personality, personal characteristics, social status, profession, economic status... In addition, it also allows to identify the time in which the story. In other words, it offers a lot of information to the audience.

In this way, we see how through the costumes a character can be created. This work is carried out by a styling professional in coordination with the make-up artist.

4. Makeup

Makeup is another element of the theater, which allows characterizing the actor or actress through her physical appearance (especially facial). As we saw, it is related to the wardrobe; that is, it must go "according" to it or at least it must have a joint meaning.

The makeup It is used to enhance the qualities of the actors (or "defects", depending on the type of character), as well as to hide some features. In addition, it allows correcting the distortions produced by another element, lighting; these distortions can be an excess of brightness, a loss of color ...

Makeup is done mainly through cosmetic products, paints, creams... In addition to enhancing or highlighting features, it also allows to simulate wounds, scars, moles, freckles ...

5. illumination

Lighting includes the way of moving the lights, and is used so that the spotlights illuminate one or another area of ​​the stage (or actor). In addition, it includes all lights and spotlights used during the work. Thus, they allow to transmit certain emotions, highlight (or hide) actors, etc.

6. Sound

The sound consists mainly of music and various sound effects (for example the sound of little birds in a spring scene). It allows to emphasize the story and enrich it. In addition, it also includes the microphones.

7. Director

The director or director is the person who coordinates the play so that all the elements of the theater work correctly. In turn, he may or may not be an actor. His job includes coordinating the scenes, the actors, the makeup, etc. It is the person with maximum responsibility.

8. Scenography

The scenography encompasses the different sets that are used to set the story. That is, it decorates the space where the actors perform. The objective of the scenography is to represent the historical period of the plot, as well as the temporal, social and geographical space where it takes place.

9. Audience (public)

The audience is the public, that is, the people to whom the play is exposed, who come to see it. The objective of the theater is to entertain the public in different ways, in addition to transmitting ideas and social, political, historical, vindictive values ​​... That is why, Although the public does not intervene in the work, it is considered an important element of it.

10. Objects

Objects, also called props, are objects that actors and actresses use throughout different performances. They can move them, drop them, hide them, etc., depending on the action. Although they are considered part of the scenery, they are also considered distinctive theater elements.

11. Choreography

The next element of the theater is the choreography; is includes dances (or fights) that appear throughout the story (if they appear). The choreography is based on musical works (also called "musical" to dry). The movements and dances of the actors must go according to the music and the story.

12. Voice over

The last element of the theater is the voice over. Also called “voice over” (in English), it consists of the “background” voice that explains what is happening happening on stage (although it doesn't have to explain every scene) or offering information extra. The voice is from a person that the public cannot seealthough, in fact, it is usually a voice recording.

Bibliographic references

• Féral, J. (2004). Theater, theory and practice: beyond borders. Editorial Galerna. Buenos Aires.

• Pavis, P. (1998). Theater Art. In P. Pavis, Dictionary of Theater. Terms, Concepts and Analysis (p. 388). Toronto: University of Toronto Press Incorporated.

• Salvat, R. (1983). The Theater as a text, as a show. Barcelona: Montesinos.