Blocking -- Deciding Where Actors Are Standing or Moving When They Speak Their Lines

Blocking is a theater term which refers to the precise movement and positioning of actors on a stage in order to facilitate the performance of a play.

The term derives from the practice of 19th century theatre directors who worked out the staging of a scene on a miniature stage using blocks to represent each of the actors.

In contemporary theatre, the diretors usually determines blocking during rehearsal, telling actors where they should move for the proper dramatic effect, ensure sight lines for the audience and work with the lighting design of the scene.

Each scene in a play is usually 'blocked' as a unit, after which the director will move onto the next scene. The positioning of actors on stage in one scene will usually affect the possibilities for subsequent positioning unless the stage is cleared between scenes. Once all the blocking is completed a play is said to be 'fully blocked' and then the process of 'polishing' or refinement begins. During the blocking rehearsal usually the assistant director or the stage manager (or both) take notes about where actors are positioned and their movement patterns on stage.

Stage directions

House right/left are from the audience's perspective

The stage itself has been given named areas to facilitate blocking.

• The rear of the stage is considered up-stage. This derives from old outdoor performances, where the stage sloped up away from the audience.
• The front of the stage is down-stage.
• Stage Left and right, at least in British and North American theatre, refer to the actor's left and right facing the audience. Because this is sometimes misunderstood the terms prompt (actor's or stage left) and opposite prompt (actor's or stage right) are also used.
• House left and house right refer to how the audience perceives the stage. The audience’s left is referred to as house left, and the audience’s right is referred to as house right.)