1. Stage Composition—Creating memorable stage pictures
The Director’s Eye
Stage Composition—Creating memorable stage pictures
Emphasize the character who is most important in the moment

2. Stage Composition 4 elements of Stage Composition Body positions
Strongest: full front—important lines
2nd strongest: full back—special cases
3rd strongest: ¼ front—used in shared scenes
Weakest—profile
Stage areas
Characters closer to the audience (downstage) vs. away from the audience (upstage)
Strongest stage area: DC
Weakest stage area: UL

3. Stage Composition Levels create a more interesting visual picture
Created by using platforms, stairs, etc.
Person who is at the highest height is the focus
Planes—positioning actors at different depths on the stage
Diagonals—create tension
Same plane—equal focus
Triangles create tension for 3+ actors

4. Stage Composition
The 4 elements of composition help to determine the FOCUS of the scene
Where the audience should be looking and which character they should be watching
4 elements of composition determine the emphasis
Direct emphasis=1 character focus
Duo emphasis=2 character focus
Diversified emphasis=multiple focal points

5. Onstage Movement Considerations… NEVER MOVE WITHOUT A PURPOSE
If you can’t answer why you are moving, or if the answer is “because the script says to”, then DON’T
Think about the actions you need to take to accomplish your objective
Hidden motives?
Character interaction?
Physical obstacles on the set?

6. Onstage Movement How does the audience interpret onstage movement?
1 actor moves toward a stationary actor=
Confrontation
1 actor moves away from a stationary actor=
Avoidance
Both actors are moving (chase)=
Both confrontation and avoidance
Any movement onstage pulls audience focus!