Module 2: The Art of Audio Drama

The Audio Drama Toolbox 

(30 min)

  • Discover important elements in an Audio Drama Toolbox. 

  • Play this scene from Rapunzel Alone and have students document what they hear of each Toolbox element. Use the AUDIO DRAMA TOOLBOX student worksheet as a guide.

<insert audio excerpt: 01:15 - 4:35>

  • Discuss as a class or in small groups about the importance of these elements in communicating story and emotions when a play is performed with only audio.

    • How do these elements help communicate emotions?

    • What details do you notice in the narration that you might not hear if you were seeing the play live on stage or in film?

History of Audio Drama 

(15 min)

  • In the 1940’s, people gathered around the radio to hear the latest news, listen to music, or tune into the latest audio drama. 

    • What brings people together today?

    • What gets your attention? What types of media do you commonly turn to for news or entertainment?

  • Explore a brief history and timeline of audio dramas.

1881 - the Théâtrophone was first demonstrated in Paris, which allowed subscribers to listen to opera and theatre performances over telephone lines

1893 - Nikola Tesla made the first public demonstration of radio transmission in St. Louis

1897 - Guglielmo Marconi filed for patent protection of his radio apparatus

1906 - Reginald Fessenden is the first to transmit a program of speech and music over radio

1924 - the first play written specifically for radio was aired in the U.K. by the BBC

1938 - H.G. Wells’ “The War of the Worlds” is broadcast live and narrated by Orson Wells.*

1940’s - audio dramas are one of the leading forms of entertainment around the world

1950’s - with the advent of television, radio dramas began to lose popularity; however, some persisted, in large part due to funding from the National Endowment for the Arts

2010 - audio dramas experience a revival through new Podcast technology, which offered means of inexpensively creating new radio dramas, in addition to the distribution of vintage programs

Student Worksheets

Module 2: Audio Drama Toolbox

As you listen to the scene, write down what you hear for each of these important audio drama tools.