Drama & Playwrights

Drama can be defined as a literary composition that tells a story, usually of human conflict, through the use of dialogue and action. It is usually performed by actors, in a theatrical setting, for the benefit of spectators. Dramatic literature is the text that is composed by playwrights to be spoken by the actors in the theatres. Such performances are usually referred to as plays. The origins of the Western drama can be found in Ancient Greece, although rich dramatic traditions also flourished in Japanese, Chinese, and African cultures. The Greek poet Thespis is credited with developing the first acting role and thus is considered the father of Western drama. The links included herein relate specifically to drama and playwrights.