Drama and Plays (Theater)

Imagine a big, dark room. Everyone is very, very quiet. Shhh. Then, pop. Bright lights turn on, and you see a magical place. There are people in sparkly clothes pretending to be kings and queens. Sometimes they pretend to be talking animals, like a silly, fuzzy bear. I help them tell a fun story. I can make you feel happy and want to clap your hands. I can even make you feel a little sad. I am Drama. You can also call me a Play or Theater. I love to tell stories.

I am very, very old. My story started a long, long time ago, way back in the 6th century BCE. I was born in a warm, sunny place called Ancient Greece. The people there loved to have big parties for a god named Dionysus. They would gather together outside in big, round theaters. The people telling the stories were called actors, and they wore special masks. A happy mask meant the person was happy. A sad mask meant the person was sad. It was so much fun. They would sing songs, dance around, and tell wonderful stories for everyone to watch. That’s how I began, as a special way to share big stories with everyone at once.

Today, you can find me everywhere. I am in the fun plays you see at your school. I am in the big, fancy theaters with soft, red chairs. I am even with you right in your room. When you play dress-up and pretend to be a brave firefighter or a flying superhero, you are using me. I help you use your big imagination. I help you share your feelings and tell your very own stories. Whenever you play pretend, you bring me to life. And that is the most wonderful story of all.