Elements of Drama Worksheets - 15 Worksheets Library - Free Printable

Let’s go step by step to solve this problem.

We are given a list of 20 drama-related terms. We need to sort them into four categories:

1. People – These are individuals involved in making or watching the play.
2. Places – These are physical locations related to theater or performance.
3. Parts of the Story – These are elements that make up the plot or narrative structure.
4. Objects – These are physical things used during production or performance.

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Step 1: List all the terms

Here are the 20 terms from the box:

- stage
- setting
- script
- actor/actress
- prop
- audience
- backstage
- box office
- cast
- characters
- resolution
- playwright
- lights
- makeup artist
- climax
- costumes
- curtains
- director
- dressing room
- exposition

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Step 2: Sort each term into the correct category

#### People (individuals who do something in drama)

These are roles or jobs held by real people:

- actor/actress → performs on stage
- audience → watches the show
- cast → group of actors
- characters → fictional people in the story (but often considered “people” in drama context)
- playwright → writes the script
- makeup artist → applies makeup to actors
- director → tells everyone what to do
→ So: actor/actress, audience, cast, characters, playwright, makeup artist, director

Wait — let’s double-check “characters”. In some contexts, “characters” are part of the story, not real people. But since they’re listed with “cast” and “actor”, and the worksheet says “classify each term related to drama”, it’s safer to put “characters” under “People” because they represent human roles. However, looking at standard drama education, “characters” are usually grouped under “Parts of the Story” because they’re part of the narrative. Let’s hold off and check other categories first.

Actually, let’s be precise:

In most school worksheets like this:

- “People” = real humans involved (actors, directors, etc.)
- “Characters” = fictional beings → so maybe better under “Parts of the Story”

But wait — look at the example layout: there’s a cartoon character drawn near the center, but that doesn’t help us classify.

Let me use standard definitions taught in middle/high school drama classes:

✔ People: Real-life roles

- actor/actress
- audience
- cast (group of actors)
- playwright
- makeup artist
- director
→ That’s 6

What about “characters”? Hmm. Some teachers put “characters” under “People” because they’re portrayed by actors. Others put them under “Story”. To avoid confusion, let’s see where else they might fit.

Looking ahead — “Parts of the Story” includes things like exposition, climax, resolution — which are structural parts. Characters are also part of the story structure.

So perhaps:

→ Characters belongs in Parts of the Story

Then “People” would be:

- actor/actress
- audience
- cast
- playwright
- makeup artist
- director
→ 6 items

Is “costumes” a person? No. “Props”? No. Okay.

Now let’s move to next category.

#### Places (locations)

Physical spaces associated with theater:

- stage → where acting happens
- backstage → area behind stage
- box office → where tickets are sold
- dressing room → where actors change
→ Also: “setting” — this is tricky. Setting can mean the time/place of the story (like “a castle in medieval times”) — that’s more abstract, part of the story. But sometimes “setting” refers to the actual set design/location on stage. Given the context, and since we have “stage”, “backstage”, etc., likely “setting” here means the physical environment created for the play → so maybe place?

Wait — no. In drama terminology, “setting” is usually part of the story/narrative — e.g., “The setting is Paris in 1920.” It’s not a physical location you walk into; it’s described in the script.

So better to put “setting” under “Parts of the Story”.

Thus, Places:

- stage
- backstage
- box office
- dressing room
→ 4 items

Any others? “Curtains”? That’s an object. “Lights”? Object. “Costumes”? Object. “Prop”? Object.

Okay.

#### Parts of the Story (narrative elements)

These are components of how the story unfolds:

- setting → where/when the story takes place
- script → the written text of the play (contains the whole story)
- characters → who the story is about
- resolution → ending of the story
- climax → highest point of tension
- exposition → beginning part that introduces info
→ So: setting, script, characters, resolution, climax, exposition

That’s 6 items.

Note: “script” could be argued as an object (it’s a book), but in drama class, when classifying elements of drama, “script” is often considered part of the storytelling foundation — so fits here.

Alternatively, if we think strictly: “script” is a physical thing → object? But then again, so is “prop”, “costume”, etc. The key is intent: “script” contains the story → so belongs in “Parts of the Story”.

Yes.

#### Objects (physical items used in production)

Things you can touch or see on stage:

- prop → any movable item used by actors
- lights → equipment lighting the stage
- costumes → clothes worn by actors
- curtains → fabric covering stage opening
→ What about “makeup”? Not listed separately — “makeup artist” is a person. Makeup itself isn’t listed.

Also: “box office” is a place, already placed.

Is “dressing room” an object? No, it’s a room → place.

So objects:

- prop
- lights
- costumes
- curtains
→ 4 items

Wait — did we miss anything?

Original list had 20 terms.

Let’s count our current assignments:

People: actor/actress, audience, cast, playwright, makeup artist, director → 6
Places: stage, backstage, box office, dressing room → 4
Parts of the Story: setting, script, characters, resolution, climax, exposition → 6
Objects: prop, lights, costumes, curtains → 4
Total: 6+4+6+4 = 20 ✔ Perfect.

But earlier I was unsure about “characters” — now I’ve put them in “Parts of the Story”, which makes sense because they’re part of the narrative structure, not real people. Similarly, “script” is the blueprint of the story.

Another way to verify: Think of a typical drama unit.

Standard classification:

- People: those who create/watch (director, actor, playwright, audience, etc.)
- Places: physical locations (stage, backstage, etc.)
- Story Elements: plot structure + characters + setting + script content
- Objects: tangible items used in performance

Yes, this matches.

One last check: Is “cast” really a person? Cast is a group of people → still counts under “People”.

“Audience” — yes, real people watching.

All good.

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Final Classification:

People
- actor/actress
- audience
- cast
- playwright
- makeup artist
- director

Places
- stage
- backstage
- box office
- dressing room

Parts of the Story
- setting
- script
- characters
- resolution
- climax
- exposition

Objects
- prop
- lights
- costumes
- curtains

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Final Answer:

People: actor/actress, audience, cast, playwright, makeup artist, director
Places: stage, backstage, box office, dressing room
Parts of the Story: setting, script, characters, resolution, climax, exposition
Objects: prop, lights, costumes, curtains