1. Stage Directions and Blocking

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

3. Stage Directions Upstage Right Upstage Center Upstage Left
Stage Right Center
Center Stage
Stage Left Center
Downstage Right
Downstage Center
Downstage Left

4. What do you see?

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

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

7. True West by Sam Shepard

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

9. Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

10. 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

11. Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon

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

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

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

15. Cross
Actor 1
Audience

16. Cross Below (Down)
Actor 1
Actor 2
Audience

17. Cross Above (Up)
Actor 2
Actor 1
Audience

18. Counter Cross
Actor 1
Actor 2
Audience

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