Stage Directions and Body Positions What are Stage

Stage Directions and Body Positions

What are Stage Directions? l Stage directions tell where an actor is to move across the stage space. l It is important to know stage directions in order to make rehearsals run smoothly and to help with blocking of scenes.

What is Blocking? l Blocking is the arranging of movement to be made by the actors during a scene or play. Blocking directions are written in the script during rehearsals.

Why is Blocking important? l Blocking becomes important when planning the movement in scenes. l Blocking makes the play visually pleasing and creates beautiful stage pictures, using balance and levels. l Stage Pictures are visual snap-shots the director creates with the use of stage directions and blocking.

Balance

Levels

Basic Stage Directions Downstage (D) – stage area closest to audience l Upstage (U) – stage area farthest away from audience l Center Stage (C)– middle section of stage l Stage left (L)– Actor’s left (looking at audience) l Stage right (R)– Actor’s right (looking at audience) l

All Stage Directions

More Areas of the Stage l On Stage – Area of the stage seen by the audience l Outfront – Area in front of the curtain l Off Stage – Any area of the stage not seen by the audience l Backstage – the offstage area behind the set l Wings – the offstage area to the sides

Body Positions l Not only do actors need to be familiar with where to go on stage, they also need to know how to position their bodies. l Body Positions are where your body is facing on stage.

Full Front l Full Front: the actor faces directly downstage (facing the audience).

Full Front

One Quarter Turn l One Quarter Turn: a quarter of the body is turned away from the audience, between full front and profile. The actor stands with the downstage foot and shoulder open. Downstage foot is placed towards the audience.

One Quarter Turn

Profile l Profile: the actor faces directly right or left. This is often used when actors are arguing or having an intense conversation with one another.

Profile

Three Quarter Turn l Three Quarter Turn: Three quarters of the body is turned away from the audience, between profile and full back. The actor stands with upstage foot and shoulder open.

Three Quarter Turn

Full Back l Full Back: the actor is directly facing upstage. The actor’s back is facing the audience. This position is not recommended for use very often. However, it can be used for a dramatic effect.

Full Back

Your Turn Ex 1: DC (downstage center), full back l Ex 2: CL (center left), ¾ position to the left l

Sharing the stage Actors are usually onstage with others. It is important to know how to position yourself with others in mind. l “Give” a scene - Allowing an actor to have the audience’s attention l “Share” a scene - On the same plane with another actor where we are open to audience and each other l “Take” a scene - Taking the audience’s attention away from another actor l

Sharing the Stage l Upstage – “To upstage” or steal attention away from the other actors l Don’t upstage others! l Cheating – To open up (turn your body) to a stronger position

Sharing the Stage Stronger Positions l Standing l Full Front l One-Quarter turn l Sharing a scene l Taking a scene l Down stage l Center stage Weaker Positions l Sitting/Laying l Full back l Three-quarter turn l Giving a scene l Upstage l Left or Right