Hello, have a seat and get out your theatre notebook, please!

Bell work Try to write detailed directions on how to walk to your next class. Example: walk out of the room, turn left, follow the sidewalk past the grassy area…..etc….

Warm-up ZAP!

Open up to your class notes (middle section)

Our objective today! Students will understand the 9 blocks of the stage and why/how stage directions are used.

Stage Directions 4 I understand the purpose and can identify stage directions AND I can teach it. 3 I understand, can explain the purpose and identify stage directions 2 With help, I can explain the purpose and identify stage directions 1 Even with help, I can’t really explain the purpose or identify stage directions I know nothing about stage directions…yet!

Please write down the vocab in blue

What is it? Why do we need it? blocking What is it? Why do we need it?

blocking Blocking refers to the pre-planned movement on the stage. Much like choreography is pre-planned dance moves, blocking is pre-planned walking, running, sitting, standing, etc. But….how do directors plan out the blocking? Well, they use stage directions.

Stage directions Much like we use North, South, East and West to give directions, Director’s give their actors specific stage directions to tell them where to go on the stage. Actors learn the various “blocks” of the stage and must learn to move to those areas when directed to do so. There are 9 blocks of the stage

The 9 Blocks

Downstage Downstage is the area closest to the audience Why is it called “downstage”?

Bell work Can you name all 9 blocks of the stage?

Upstage Upstage is the area near the back of the stage. This is the opposite of downstage. When you’re walking upstage, you’re walking away from the audience.

Stage right / stage left Stage right and left are defined by the actor’s viewpoint, NOT the audience. If an actor is onstage and the director tells him to move stage right, the actor will move to his right. Stage left Stage right

House right / left http://dictionary. tdf House right and left refer to the audience’s viewpoint…which is often where the director is sitting during rehearsals. House left House right

Crossing on the stage “I want you to cross stage right” When a director wants an actor to move from one part of the stage to another…they will use the term “cross”. “I want you to cross stage right” “Cross downstage left”

Why do we call it “crossing”?

We will glue this sheet onto a blank page of the class notes section Let’s rate ourselves again… if you stated at a 0, 1, or 2… where are you now? Add it to the bottom of your notes We will glue this sheet onto a blank page of the class notes section Before you glue, fill out this box 

Hi. Have a seat and get out your theatre notebook, please 

Bell work Where do you think is the best place to sit in the audience when you go see a play or a sporting event? The front row? The back row? To the side? Right in the middle? Up high? WHY???

Warm-up Murder-by-Wink

Warm-up Communication

Types of stages

Proscenium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9N2XC3N6sc Proscenium arch This is the most common type of theatre. The proscenium arch acts as a frame

Positives and negatives of the Proscenium stage

In the round/arena theatrehttp://dictionary. tdf In this theatre, the stage is surrounded by seats on all sides. Most sporting events take place in an arena theatre. Vomitorium

Positives and negatives of the arena stage/theatre in the round

Thrust stage http://dictionary.tdf.org/thrust-stage/ The thrust theatre’s stage extends out into the audience so that audience members are on 3 sides. Vomitorium

Positives and negatives of the thrust stage

add this to class notes: Stage Presence Types of Stages Three ways to put focus on a certain character/action on stage: Three options of motivation to move/to cross the stage: List three types of stages and draw them. Give a positive & negative for each Proscenium, In the Round (arena), Thrust

Stage direction Olympics

Hi. Have a seat No notebooks today

Warm up Knots!

Warm up Boppity Boppity Bop!

Stage drawing Select a type of stage (proscenium, thrust, arena/in the round) Write 3 facts about the stage on the back Draw and color the stage Create a stage picture with actors on the stage… who has the focus and how are you showing that? Include the audience, too!