Summary: Every script has dialogue, characters, and a plot. But of equal importance is the structure and writing style. To get the most out of a script, you must understand the underlying structure that is the foundation for the plot and your character. So as you read a script, pay close attention to the dramatic units that shape the material. Pay attention to each French scene. A French scene is defined as a change in the number of characters on stage because of an entrance or exit. When a character enters or leaves the scene, the dynamics of the group and situation automatically change. So as you read, notice each French scene and try to define what dramatic shifts occur when a character enters or leaves. The next units to examine are the scenes, as defined by the writer. What happens in each scene? How does the scene start? How does each scene end? How long is each scene? To help you understand the purpose of each scene and its connection the ones before and after, give each one a title that you think captures the essence or intent of the scene. The final structural level to look at is the act. What happens in each act? What causes one to end and where does the action pick up in the next one? To understand a script and your character’s place in it, it is essential to pay attention to the structure that the writer used in creating the work. This structure was not accidental and is a key element in telling the story. Dramatic structure is something that every actor must be aware of and understand.
