Actors use stage directions to help them move throughout the stage. We write these in our scripts using abbreviations. Memorize these abbreviations so you can mark correctly in your scripts.

STAGE RIGHT or R: the actor’s right as he faces the audience STAGE LEFT or L: the actor’s left as he faces the audience DOWNSTAGE or D: nearest the audience UPSTAGE or U: away from the audience (this originated from the old theatres where the stage floor sloped toward the audience BELOW: same as downstage; toward the audience ABOVE: same as upstage; away from the audience ONSTAGE: the acting area within the set, visible to the audience OFFSTAGE: the parts of the stage not enclosed by the setting BACKSTAGE: the area behind the setting WINGS: the offstage areas to the right and left of the acting areas HOUSE: the auditorium where the audience sits APRON: the area in front of the stage LET’s SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE ON THE STAGE...

L DC UC DRDL ULUR C R UP RIGHTUP CENTERUP LEFT CENTER DOWN CENTER RIGHT of CENTER DOWN RIGHT LEFT of CENTER DOWN LEFT WINGS BACKSTAGE APRON

Which side of the Stage is stronger-STAGE RIGHT or STAGE LEFT? Which area of the Stage is stronger-DOWNSTAGE OR UPSTAGE? DOWNSTAGE because you are closer to audience so that they can hear you and see you better STAGE RIGHT because the audience reads from LEFT to RIGHT

Front- Facing The Audience 1/4 Left and the 1/4 Right positions. These positions are fairly open, and are also strong positions, though not as much as the full front position. To achieve the 1/4 left or 1/4 right position, just move one of your legs more upstage (toward the back wall) then the other. This forces your body to turn a bit. Which way you turn depends upon which leg you move upstage. When two performers "share" a scene on stage (they are both open to an equal degree), this is generally the position they will take. Left and Right Profile" positions. Profile is not a particularly strong position because the audience members in the far left or right of the "house" (the audience area) will only see the back of the performer who is facing away from them and have a harder time hearing and understanding them. 3/4 Left and the 3/4 Right positions. Weak positions-should be avoided. Hardly anyone in the house can see the performers' faces decently (all those fine facial expressions are lost) and the performers are talking upstage into the wings, this makes it hard for the audience to hear. Full Back" position. This is by far the weakest position. No one can see the performers' faces and their lines are being said to the back wall so the audience can’t hear. Unless you have a strongly compelling dramatic reason for the back wall to see and hear you, AVOID THIS POSITION. A "Cross" is simply moving from one part of the stage to another. A "Counter cross" is a cross a performer takes to adjust for the cross of another actor. The adjustment is made to maintain the visual balance of the scene. A counter cross is also made because a crossing actor may "cover" another actor. (Obstruct the audience's view of the other actor by moving into a position between the other actor and the audience). Use the pictures on the following slide to help you understand these stage positions:

Use the symbols to the right to mark your script (in pencil). These will help you remember your blocking or stage movements. A director will expect you to mark your script in PENCIL at each rehearsal; however, you will see many different symbols used by actors and directors - the important thing to remember is to write SOMETHING down each time you move. When trying to memorize your script, practice the blocking as you say the lines.

KEEP IN MIND: BLOCKING IS A WAY OF TELLING A STORY WITH PICTURES. LOOK AT YOUR “PICTURE” IS THERE VARIETY? IS IT INTERESTING? REMEMBER TO USE AS MUCH OF THE STAGE AS YOU CAN WHEN BLOCKING

NOW SEE IF YOU CAN CORRECTLY IDENTIFY EACH STAGE DIRECTION ON YOUR OWN. CLICK YOUR MOUSE WHEN YOU HAVE GUESSED. USE THIS AS A REVIEW FOR YOUR TEST.

L DC UC DR DL ULUR CR WINGS BACKSTAGE APRON UP RIGHTUP CENTERUP LEFT CENTER DOWN CENTER RIGHT of CENTER DOWN RIGHT LEFT of CENTER DOWN LEFT