Stage Directions and Blocking

Stage Directions and Blocking Great Game of Power Stage directions Stage positioning Stage movement Stage direction game

Stage Directions Upstage Right Upstage Center Upstage Left Stage Right Center Center Stage Stage Left Center Downstage Right Downstage Center Downstage Left

What do you see?

Blocking Precise movement and positioning of actors on a stage to facilitate the performance of a play, ballet, film, or opera

Levels The height of an actor on a stage. Guides focus and adds interest

True West by Sam Shepard

Planes The proximity of the actors to the audience (front than back) Guides focus and adds interest

Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Give and Take The placing of two actors so one’s face is easier to see by the audience than the other. Guides focus and adds interest

Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon

Actor positioning The angle at which an actor stands has a great effect on how that actor is viewed.

Audience Actor Full Back Three Quarter Right Three Quarter Left Profile Right Profile Left One Quarter Right One Quarter Left Full Front Audience

Stage Movement Blocking isn’t just where the actors stand, it’s also how they move.

Cross Actor 1 Audience

Cross Below (Down) Actor 1 Actor 2 Audience

Cross Above (Up) Actor 2 Actor 1 Audience

Counter Cross Actor 1 Actor 2 Audience

Review Why do we have to be “precise” in our blocking? How can you tell bad blocking from good blocking?