Abstract
This paper examines the history of drama and its steady and sometimes spectacular evolution over time. The paper reviews the contributions of the ancient Greeks to western dramaturgy and then proceeds to look at the innovations of the early moderns. The paper then examines the modern age and considers the peculiar development of what can best be described as non-realistic or some might say nihilistic drama.

From the Paper
"The following paper will explore the history and evolution of drama over time while noting the constancy of tragedy, comedy and farce despite the steady parade of changes which have transformed western dramaturgy in fundamental ways. It will begin first by examining the development of "western" drama in the age of the Greeks and it will proceed from there to discuss the innovations of the early modern period (as especially typified by Shakespeare). Not content to end simply with Shakespeare, the paper will look at the modern age and the arrival of non-realistic (some might argue nihilistic) drama and its most fundamental features."

Tags:greek, shakespeare, drama

Abstract
This paper discusses the criticism of realism in drama by Gertrude Stein and Bertolt Brecht in relation to Stein's play "Dr. Faustus Lights the Light" and August Strindberg's "The Ghost Sonata".

From the Paper
"Stein begins her critique by stating that there is a fundamental problem between the actors and the audience that is represented by the curtain itself. "In the first place at the theater there is the curtain and the curtain already makes one feel that one is not going to have the same tempo as the thing that is there behind the curtain" (Gobert 42). In contrast to the detailed and extensive stage and background directions in "The Ghost Sonata", there are none so elaborate in "Dr. Faustus Lights the Light"."

Tags:realism, modern, drama

Abstract
In this paper, the writer discusses the aspects of religion and romance that appear in various works of English drama. Among other examples, the writer points out that 'All for Love' presents the complex and dangerous relationship that existed between the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the Roman leader Antony. The writer also looks at the concept of morals and seduction in the play "The Country Wife" by William Wycherley.

From the Paper
""The Country Wife" by William Wycherley exudes with the idea of the Rake Hero, as a man that is clearly against the highly moral strictness of the day, and seems bent on demoralizing everyone that he meets. Mr. Pinchwife, (the central character in the play) is a Rake Hero in many aspects, as he is constantly trying to stop his wife from behaving morally, but instead, this actually puts ideas into her about seduction, as he is very clever in his cunning. Margery, in essence, ends up cheating on him with another man, and they become fully immersed in immoral behavior in the play."

Tags:drama, dryden, robertson

Abstract
In this article, the writer comments that when he was born, no one knew to christen Aeschylus the father of Greek drama and, as a result, the father of all western drama. The writer discusses that born near 525 B.C. close to Athens, Aeschylus was exposed to many of the things we associate with Athens including great drama, great wars and the Golden Age. The writer notes that Aeschylus wrote over eighty plays and maintains that because of his innovative ideas, Aeschylus is not only the father of Greek drama but of "all western drama". Aeschylus was no doubt a highly productive and creative writer of his time but it would be a great disservice to ignore the influence Aeschylus made on theater and how he not only viewed but created drama.

From the Paper
"Aeschylus was traditional and innovative and is not considered the father of western drama because he penned a few good plays. He is considered the father of modern drama because he incorporated new ideas into the art itself and managed to establish something that the audience could relate to as well as enjoy. Because of his ability to understand human nature and create believable characters, he stands as one of the most dominant dramatists of his time. His intuition to strike out and find new ground in the arena of drama can be seen in his addition of the second player and the impact this had on the theatrical community can still be seen today. His concepts helped change and shape the world of drama the way we know it now - a stage that represents the various aspects and emotions of life. Aeschylus' dream to think outside the box brings us a world in which characters seem more true to life because they interact with one another on the stage of life."

Tags:theater, writer, plays, dramatic, poet

Abstract
This paper discusses several articles that deal with the use of drama in the classroom. The paper examines how drama instruction, such as role-play, miming, puppetry, improvisation and readers theatre, in the early elementary classroom can improve learning. The paper highlights the positive experiences that children gain from incorporating drama in their every-day lessons.

From the Paper
"Barbara Ryan Larkin (2001) shares her classroom experience with drama among elementary school students. Her young students would ask to act out stories they read in class, and once Larkin began studying the theories behind drama in education, she came to realize the beneficial effects that taking time to do so would have with student development. Rather than leaving drama for a separate area of study, Larkin found that "drama is presented as a meaningful context for children to read, write, speak, and listen. Struggling students especially seem to be motivated by this experience." (Larkin 2001) Reader's theater is one way of approaching drama in education. It is an interpretive activity where students practice and perform with each other, using methods like repeated readings and improvisation to enhance comprehension and to build on knowledge. Larkin's students responded very excitedly to reader's theater, immediately embracing the opportunity to take on characters, learn scripts, block scenes, and perform with and in front of one another. The teacher read a story to students, helped them learn the vocabulary, reviewed the entire text of the script as a class, then let students develop parts in groups. "

Tags:acting, role, play, miming

Abstract
This paper reports that research findings indicate, especially in the 1970s, that women were under-represented and constrained to the narrow mold of housewives and mothers, both in daytime and prime-time television drama. The author points out that the women's movement has had a noticeable effect on the depiction of women; however, there are still traits of under-representation of woman, even in the 1990s and 2000s. The paper relates that researchers disagree as to whether the daytime portrayal of women is relatively more positive in daytime drama than in prime-time drama; however, the researchers do concur that, in both these time periods, women are portrayed as being incompetent in keeping the patriarchal system from interfering with their lives. The paper includes many quotations several of which are embedded in the text.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Early 1970's
A Turning Point: Cagney and Lacey
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"With the overt manifestations of women's movement, questioning conventional cultural perceptions of femininity in various spheres such as labor, family, sexuality and economy, prime-time network television began its quest to respond to these new discourses. In the late 1970s, prime-time television "was generating portrayals of women that drew-in various ways and to varying degrees-on the new feminist consciousness, particularly that of the U.S. liberal women's movement." "Cagney and Lacey" provided a sharp contrast to the conventional images of women on television and met the multidimensional character imposed by the woman movement's discourses."

Tags:orientation, parenthood, workplace, heroines, multi-dimensional

Abstract
This paper examines the innovative method of psychotherapy, drama therapy. The paper presents a definition of drama therapy, a description of the techniques used, requirements for professionals in this field, types of disorders drama therapy is designed to treat,and some reactions and opinions of this process. Lastly, the paper provides a personal reflection, with a touch of humor, on how this approach may be applied to the author's counseling practice.

From the Paper
"Drama therapists can find, for instance, fictional works with a theme similar to the patient's real-life circumstances. By acting out these fictional roles rather than real life situations (which may be very painful), individuals may safely work through some difficult issues.
According to Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling, therapists sometimes take on the role of actor to assist the client work through an obstacle. For example, the therapist may wish to project the image of a large authority figure to provoke a response from the (timid) client. (Scharf, 2004, p.566) In this situation, the therapist goes beyond the traditional role- playing method of therapy by helping the client become more aware of emotions, develop interpersonal skills, and deal with a variety of psychological problems. (Scharf, 2004, p. 567) Additionally, it is believed that transference and countertransference issues between patient and client can develop more quickly using this method, particularly on an individual basis. (Scharf, 2004, p.566)"

Tags:psychotherapy, counseling, acting, out

Abstract
The paper examines and analyzes three distinct styles of Greek drama, focusing on the Sophoclean style by giving several examples in drama history such as "Oedipus" and the modern movie, "A Few Good Men". By comparing these styles to what a modern audience expects of a film or play, the paper shows that the Sophoclean style is the most suitable for a modern production.

From the Paper
"This shows the main aspect that makes the Sophoclean approach the most suitable style for a modern audience, the character focus. The Sophoclean styles focuses on the main character as the driving force of the play. This is the same approach taken by modern films and plays, where the plot of the play is based on the struggle of the main character. This usually involves a likable character being presented with some problem and ultimately either overcoming this problem or learning from it. Importantly, the audience forms a relationship with the main character, with this involving the audience in the action. The film Titanic is a good model example of this. As history shows, the main event the movie is based on is the sinking of the ship and the drowning of hundreds of people. Yet, the film does not focus on this to engage the audience and drive the plot. Instead, the plot focuses on the story of Rose and Jack."

Tags:Antigone, Oedipus, Sophocles, Titanic, movies

Abstract
This essay examines the principle elements of realist drama. The realist drama, often used in films and in plays, is best explained as the best and the worst of humanity combined into a whole. This paper addresses the realist drama with an emphasis on selected playwrights as well as the social reception of the realism movement.

Abstract
This paper compares "Oedipus Rex", the various plays of Shakespeare, and "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", thereby demonstrating the purpose of drama and how drama has changed over time.