Stage Directions

Stage Directions

Stage Directions

One meaning of “stage directions” is the instructions written in the script of a play that gives direction to the actors or information about the scenery.

   

For example, when the author of a play leaves a note in the script, found in brackets or parenthesis, telling the actor to read a line with a sarcastic undertone.

     

Jill: (Sarcasticly) Oh, no, I would love to carry the bucket for you, Jack!

Multiple Select

Stage Directions are often found in (******) or {******}.

• True

• False

Another meaning of “stage directions” refers to the actors’ movement on stage, known as blocking. 

• It breaks the stage up into quadrants

• These directions or "blocking" usually come from the director

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYodLtgPT_E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm72Y346G3A

Multiple Select

Actors usually create their own blocking.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

If downstage is closest to the audience then upstage must be farthest from the audience.

• True

• False

Areas of the stage are based on the actor facing the audience. 

• So, if you are standing in the center of the stage facing the audience, stage right would be on your right (the audience’s left).

Areas of the stage are based on the actor facing the audience. 

• Downstage would be in front of you toward the audience, Upstage would be behind you away from the audience.  

Multiple Choice

If you are standing center stage and I asked you to move down right you would:

• move further away from the audience to my right

• move closer to the audience to my right

Multiple Select

Stage Right and Stage Left are exactly like your own right and left if you are facing the audience.

• True

• False

History of stage directions: 

 

• In the 1500s, theater stages were raked. Raked meant that the stage was built to slant or slope upwards, away from the audience.

• This was done to improve the view and sound for audience.

Multiple Choice

A raked stage was:

• slanted or sloped

• used to make help the audience see better

• both

On a raked stage an actor who is farther from the audience is higher than an actor who is closer to the audience.

• This led to "upstage" meaning farther from the audience and "downstage" meaning closer to the audience.

  
  

If our actor is center stage and is told to cross downstage left, where would the actor end up?

Find the answer then fill it in the next slide.

If our actor is Downstage left and is told to cross stage right, where would the actor end up?

Multiple Choice

If our actor is Downstage left and is told to cross stage right, where would the actor end up?

• 7

• 8

• 9

• If the director wants our actor all the way on the left side of the stage and halfway between the audience and back of the stage, where would the actor end up? 

  
  

Multiple Choice

If the director wants our actor all the way on the left side of the stage and halfway between the audience and back of the stage, where would the actor end up?

• 1

• 6

• 9

Multiple Choice

If our actor is center stage and is told to cross downstage left, on what number would the actor end up?

• 7

• 8

• 9