In theatre, blocking is the precise planning and choreography of how actors move and position themselves on stage during a performance. It dictates every physical action, from crossing the stage to sitting in a chair, ensuring the movement helps tell the story effectively. The term originates from the 19th-century practice of directors using miniature wooden blocks on a model stage to plan out actor placement. 📐 Standard Stage Vocabulary
To direct blocking efficiently, theatre practitioners use a universal grid system based on the actor’s perspective facing the audience.
Downstage (DS): The front of the stage, closest to the audience.
Upstage (US): The back of the stage, furthest from the audience.
Stage Left (SL): The left side of the stage from the actor’s viewpoint.
Stage Right (SR): The right side of the stage from the actor’s viewpoint.
House Left/Right: The perspective of the audience sitting in the auditorium. 🎬 Key Techniques & Ground Rules
Directors and actors collaborate during specific “blocking rehearsals” to establish movement based on several structural concepts:
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