Blocking and Stage Business -- Some Explanations and Rules for the Play

Think of acting as like baking a cake. To make a cake, you need the ingredients -- eggs, milk, etc. To make a cake pretty, you need things like icing.  So we start with lines in acting, and then add other things to make the illusion a reality on stage.

Blocking is stage movement such as go downstage right at this one specific line or part in the play. Stage business is what makes blocking into acting. It's what a character would really do. 

Imagine how your character walks -- not how you walk, but your character -- blocking is putting stage directions into reality onstage.  Remember the divisions of the stage that we posted earlier.  You can go back and find them on this blog.  We have a narrow stage, so we will not be moving as much physically, which means, all the more, we must show "movement" in our eyes and facial expressions, and, when we do move, it must be for a purpose.

Remember that a key concept is usually only one movement on stage at a time, allowing the audience to focus on the moving character and/or on the line being spoken at the time.

Stage Business

Stage business are the actions that make real the character, in addition to the blocking movements.  This includes all visual activity an actor does on stage other than personal business that fills out the details of his character. Some stage business is in the stage directions of the play itself.  But some stage business, because we are a COMMUNITY theater, must be altered a bit for our audience and our non-professional cast.

So pats on the fanny become pats on the arm or shoulder, and kisses become pecks on the cheek or "stage kisses" -- where on actor's back is to the audience and foreheads touch in imitating a "kiss".  The key is to sell the illusion of the kiss without being personally invasive on another actor or actress.  Hits on the head become hits ont he back or arm, with the reaction of the one hit selling the illusion.

Stage Furniture Needed

a small dining table

a small desk

a set of shelves where the wine is kept

period stuffed chair or small couch

period lamps (2)

period telephone

A WINDOW SEAT BOX (one may need to be made)

Steps for staircase (that leads offstage to a platform)

Props Needed (more may be added, but these are necessary)

 bugle (trumpet)

painting easel

set of china for shelves and to be used by Martha and Abby

Garnet Ring (Grandmother Brewster's)

large envelope (Mortimer's)

papers to be signed for committals and pen

Body for window seat

Second body (Mr. Spenalzo)

luggage for Jonathan and Einstein

Medical bag for Einstein's instruments

glasses for wine and Elderberry wine container

handcuffs for Jonathan

fake (rubber or plastic) billy club

fake pistols for police persons

Cross for Rev. Dr. Harper to wear

Costumes Needed

check with each actor

Police Costumes (4 uniforms)

Elaine's outfits
'
clerical collar for Rev. Dr. Harper