Drama

Drama is a form of narrative intended for performance in theatre, film, or other staged settings, in which characters enact a story through dialogue, action, and stagecraft. The word drama comes from Greek drāma, meaning action or deed; in classical usage it referred to plays that presented serious, dialogue-driven representation of human experiences.

In the Western tradition, the origins of drama lie in ancient Greek theatre, with tragedians such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides shaping the conventions of plot, character, and chorus. Comedy also flourished in antiquity, culminating in works by Aristophanes. Over subsequent centuries, drama diversified into liturgical and secular performances in medieval Europe, the Renaissance's humanist theatre, and modern forms that include realism, naturalism, expressionism, and absurdism. Outside Europe, theatre traditions such as Sanskrit natya, Japanese Noh and Kabuki, and Chinese opera have made lasting contributions to dramatic technique and storytelling.

Dramatic works are commonly categorized into subgenres such as tragedy, comedy, tragicomedy, melodrama, and farce, though many plays mix elements. The form may be written for the stage or adapted for screen, with pacing, staging, and performance approaches adjusted accordingly. Core elements include plot, character, theme, setting, and dialogue, along with visual design and direction that shape interpretation. Production roles typically include the playwright, director, actors, and designers responsible for scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. Drama remains a central medium for exploring social issues, personal conflict, and human emotion through collective performance and reception.