STAGE DIRECTIONS, MOVEMENT, & BLOCKING RESOURCES: BASIC DRAMA PROJECTS, KRISTAPRICE.COM

DIAGRAMS:

DIAGRAMS

STAGE SETUP OPTIONS Raked Stage – slanted surface, on an incline. The back of the playing area was higher than the front. Upstage is slightly higher than downstage area. Sightlines – imaginary lines indicating visibility of stage areas from different areas of the house/audience

STAGE AREAS Backstage- are behind scenery, not visible to the audience/house Downstage – area of the stage closest to the audience Upstage – area of stage farthest away from the audience, toward the backstage wall Stage Left – the stage area to the actor’s left as he/she faces the audience Stage Right -the stage area to the actor’s right as he/she faces the audience

DIAGRAMS:

DRAW DIAGRAM C (Center stage) CR (Center right) CL (Center left) UR (upstage right) UC (upstage center) UL (upstage left) DR (downstage right) DC (downstage center) DL (downstage left)

BODY MOVEMENTS Cross: a movement from one stage area to another  Indicated as an X on paper  Usually take the shortest, most direct route, which is straight across some portion of the stage  If you are speaking while you cross, walk in front of other characters  Do not cross while another actor is speaking  First step with foot closest to the area you are crossing to Counter- Cross:  Adjust to another’s crosses  moving in the opposite direction and out of the way- of another actor who is moving across the stage.  give way and then adjust your position

BODY POSITIONS REVIEW Quarter turn: Profile: Three-quarter turn: Full front/Open: Full back/Close:

VIDEOS Review of Stage Directions, Intro to Movement & Blocking: Blocking more in depth: Types of stages…