What is the definition of a scene in a play?

A scene in a play is defined as a sub-section of a play's acts. In the structure of a play, acts are major divisions that can contain multiple scenes. Each scene typically takes place in a specific setting and focuses on a particular moment in the story, advancing the plot, or developing the characters. This division allows for shifts in time, location, or mood, creating a dynamic flow to the storytelling.

Supporting this understanding, individual performances, full acts of a play, and dialogue exchanges between characters do not encapsulate the concept of a scene. Individual performances refer to actors' portrayals, full acts represent complete segments of the play combining multiple scenes, and dialogue exchanges are components that occur within scenes but do not define the structural element of a scene itself. Thus, recognizing a scene as a sub-section of a play's acts is crucial for analyzing how narratives unfold in theatrical formats.