Stage Movement,
Business, and Blocking
Movement Review
Objective: to look at movement technically,
creatively, and with motivation, by using
your bodies and movement to tell a story and
encouraging the fact that not all stories need
to be told with speaking.
- Types of Stages
- Areas of the Stage (SR, C, SL, etc.)
- Body Positions
- Types of Emphasis (Direct, Duo, etc.)
- Levels, Diagonals, Planes
Today:
Enduring Understanding (EU)
Movement expresses ideas and conveys
messages to an audience.
Essential Question (EQ)
How can an artist reflect character through
movement?
Blocking vs. Business

What is the difference between blocking
and stage business?
–
Blocking is major actor movements -entrances, exits, a cross from the sofa to
the fire place. (W.S. Gilbert)
–
Stage Business is small character
defining movements. A character
looking at his pocket watch, opening a
book.
Entrances (= Ent)

Get into character BEFORE the entrance.

Begin your entrance in the wings. At least 5
to 6 feet away. Focus in the Wings before
you make your stage entrance.
Exits (= Ex)

Remain in character until you are 5-6 feet
into the offstage area.

If the exit requires a long cross, make sure
the last few lines are spoken near the exit.
Crosses (= X)

Stage Crosses - movements from one
stage area to another.

Generally the actor takes the shortest,
most direct route, which is a straight
cross.
–
Straight crosses convey strength and
determination (strong).
– At times a curved cross is necessary to
convey casualness, hesitation, or doubt
(weak).
Counter-Cross (= coX)

To counter is to move from behind
someone so one person will not be
blocked by another.

Actors adjust to each other’s cross by
using a counter-cross.
–
A counter-cross is a movement in the
opposite direction to balance stage picture
Crossing on a Line

If you are speaking and must cross the
stage, walk in front of the other characters.
–
–

It is generally best to avoid moving when another
character is talking, as your movement you will
steal attention from the speaking actor.
If you need to cross when others are speaking,
cross quietly behind them.
The moving figure dominates!
Turning (= ∞)

Always turn toward the audience
unless your director tells you
otherwise.
Backing Up (=

)
This is a weak move and should be
avoided unless the move backward
makes a dramatic point.
Sitting ( = S)

Approach the piece of furniture without
staring at it. Don’t telegraph the move.
Stop in front of chair touch BOTH calves to
the chair without moving it.

Avoid plopping or slumping into an easy
chair or sofa (unless your character would
do so). Sit near the front edge of the chair to
make rising easier. (= R)

Avoid crossing your legs onstage.
–
Females sit with ankles crossed or one foot
slightly in front of the other
– males sit with legs slightly apart.
Kneeling (= K)

When kneeling with only one knee
–

the downstage knee should touch the
floor, helping to keep an “open” position.
When kneeling on both knees,
–
the downstage knee should be lowered
first; then the upstage leg can be lowered
into position.
Stage Business
Adding color to your movement
Stage Business (SB)
- What does it mean?

Movement that an actor does to develop a
full character.

Most of time it is the actor who comes up
with stage business not the director.

Sometimes the playwright will also give SB
2 Types of Stage Business

1. Personal Business small actions
performed by actors such as:
–
looking in a purse,
– brushing one’s teeth,
– tying a shoe, pouring a drink,
– knitting, reading, writing, nail biting, etc.
These actions are related to the character
and his/her role in the scene.
2 Types of Stage Business

2. Gestures
Avoid covering the face with a gesture.
–
When handling stage props such as a
telephone or making large gestures, use
the upstage hand.
Remember that any movement can and will
draw the audience’s attention.
What Stage Business do you see
in this picture?
MARRIAGE BLANC by Tadeusz Rozewicz
How about in this photo?
And here?
Here?
What stage business could an
actor add to this type of setting?
Movement can tell a story all
on its own.