STAGE DIRECTIONS AND BLOCKING Stage Directions and Blocking
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 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.
Full Back Three Quarter Right Profile Right One Quarter Right Actor Full Front Audience Three Quarter Left Profile Left One Quarter Left
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?
- Slides: 19
