Aw I'm sorry I can't be very specific since I didn't read the source, but I can help a bit for the first question.
Elements, such as stage directions are strategies that the author uses to create certain aspects.
For example, you can say whether the setting makes the character confident or affects what they can do. If the script is set in the olden-days, the character may not be able to do certain things. For instance, women's rights may be limited.
Dialogue may influence the character's relationships and depict their point of view and position on certain topics.
Also, mood can affect how the characters act. For example, if the mood is gloomy, the characters may reflect on this, causing them to feel gloomy too. This will surely impact their actions, dialogue, and thought, as well as their character traits for that time.
Again, these are some brief examples that you may be able to accumulate from the text, sorry for not being able to give page numbers and such.
Hope this helps a bit at least :)
