Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. Elam (1980, 98). It is derived from a Greek word meaning "action" (Classical Greek / dráma), derived from "to do" (Classical Greek / dráō).

Dramas are performed in various media: theatre, radio, film, and television. Drama is often combined with music and dance: the drama in opera is sung throughout; musicals include spoken dialogue and songs; and some forms of drama have regular musical accompaniment (melodrama and Japanese Nō, for example). See the entries for "opera", "musical theatre, American", "melodrama" and "Nō" in Martin Banham, (ed.) The Cambridge Guide to Theatre (1998). In certain periods of history (the ancient Roman and modern Romantic) dramas have been written to be read rather than performed. Although there is some dispute among theatre historians, it is probable that the plays by the Roman Seneca were not intended to be performed. Manfred by Byron is a good example of a 'dramatic poem.' See the entries on "Seneca" and "Byron (George George)" in Martin Banham, (ed.) The Cambridge Guide to Theatre (1998). In improvisation, the drama does not pre-exist the moment of performance; performers devise a dramatic script spontaneously before an audience. Some forms of improvisation, notably the Commedia dell'arte, improvise on the basis of 'lazzi' or rough outlines of scenic action (see Gordon (1983) and Duchartre (1929)). All forms of improvisation take their cue from their immediate response to one another, their characters' situations (which are sometimes established in advance), and, often, their interaction with the audience. The classic formulations of improvisation in the theatre are Joan Littlewood and Keith Johnstone in Vancouver and Viola Spolin in the USA. See Johnstone (1981) and Spolin (1963).

The Drama was a quarterly arts magazine for contemporary art, design and illustration. It was founded by publisher Joel Speasmaker in 2000 and ran nine issues with the last being published in 2007. Each issue of the magazine revolved around a particular theme or topic. The Drama is notable for being a part of the independent press and DIY movements of the 2000s. The majority of the magazine's readers were individual issue purchasers, with subscription rates for The Drama being 10% in 2005 The Drama Media Kit 2005 , compared to 50-60% for many mainstream publications. The publishers estimate a readership of 20,000 per issue.

The Drama also ran an online store at thedramastore.org and a series of gallery exhibitions under the moniker 'The Drama Presents'. Both included artwork and merchandise from artists featured in the magazine. Originally, the collective began creating under the umbrella the The Drama You've Been Craving and it is unknown when or why the name change occurred.