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    DN How To Write Blocking Notations

    Uploaded by

    Lisa McCormack
    The document provides guidance on how to write blocking notations for actors, stage managers, and directors during rehearsals. It explains how to abbreviate stage directions and includes diagrams of the stage along with examples of shorthand blocking notations.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    DN How To Write Blocking Notations

    Uploaded by

    Lisa McCormack
    89 views8 pages
    The document provides guidance on how to write blocking notations for actors, stage managers, and directors during rehearsals. It explains how to abbreviate stage directions and includes diagrams of the stage along with examples of shorthand blocking notations.

    Original Description:

    Drama Notebook

    Original Title

    dn-how-to-write-blocking-notations

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    The document provides guidance on how to write blocking notations for actors, stage managers, and directors during rehearsals. It explains how to abbreviate stage directions and includes diagrams of the stage along with examples of shorthand blocking notations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    89 views8 pages

    DN How To Write Blocking Notations

    Uploaded by

    Lisa McCormack
    The document provides guidance on how to write blocking notations for actors, stage managers, and directors during rehearsals. It explains how to abbreviate stage directions and includes diagrams of the stage along with examples of shorthand blocking notations.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 8

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg.

    1
    How to Write Blocking Notations
    It’s important for actors/stage managers and directors to be able to make quick and
    accurate notations in the production book or their scripts. Blocking (or stage
    movement/direction) changes from rehearsal to rehearsal. Until your cast is off-book, it
    will help if actors can write down changes to their stage movement as they occur.

    Use this guide to teach young actors shorthand.

    Tips!
    o Always write in pencil! Blocking often changes during the rehearsal
    process.

    o Remind stage managers/assistant directors/directors to block movement


    of props and set pieces as well.

    o Individual actors may write their blocking notes in their scripts without
    identifying a character. SM’s (stage managers) and AD’s (assistant
    directors) keep track of the entire production and therefore need to
    identify the character. This is done by creating a one-or two letter
    abbreviation for each character with a circle around it.

    o Make blocking notations consistently in the right hand margin.

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 2


    Stage Directions Diagram

    UPSTAGE UPSTAGE UPSTAGE


    RIGHT CENTER LEFT

    Wings Wings
    CENTER CENTER CENTER
    RIGHT STAGE LEFT

    DOWNSTAGE DOWNSTAGE DOWNSTAGE


    RIGHT CENTER LEFT

    Apron-part of the stage that extends in front of the curtain

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 3


    Stage Directions-Abbreviated
    C-Center
    U-Up
    D-Down
    L-Left
    R-Right

    UR UC UL

    CR C UL

    DR DC DL

    Audience
    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 4
    Advanced Stage Directions-Abbreviated
    C-Center
    U-Up
    D-Down
    L-Left
    R-Right

    UR URC UC ULC UL

    R RC C LC L

    DR DRC DC DLC DL

    Audience

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 5


    Blocking Abbreviations
    Below is a comprehensive list of what each Below is a list of the abbreviations for various
    abbreviation means: types of stage movement or blocking:

    C: Center
    © Character
    D: Downstage
    EN or Ntr: Enter
    DR: Downstage Right
    EX: Exit
    DRC: Downstage Right Center
    X: Cross
    DC: Downstage Center
    Kn: Kneel
    DLC: Downstage Left Center
    CX: Counter Cross
    DL: Downstage Left
    SX: Straight Cross
    R: Right CuX: Curved Cross

    RC: Right Center S: Stand Up

    L: Left S: Sit Down

    LC: Left Center P/U: Pick Up

    U: Upstage P/D: Put Down

    UR: Upstage Right

    URC: Upstage Right Center

    UC: Upstage Center

    ULC: Upstage Left Center

    UL: Upstage Left

    OS: Offstage

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 6


    Most of the stage directions are self-explanatory. Here are a few that are more closely defined:

    ©-All characters are given one or two letter identifications and are indicated in the notations
    with a circle around them

    Counter Cross-Cross that is done in reaction to another actor’s movements

    Straight Cross-Cross indicating strength or determination

    Curved Cross-Cross indicating hesitation or indecision

    Examples!

    Actor enters Stage Left, Crosses to Center EN SL  C

    Actor crosses stage right, sits down XSR  S

    Actor crosses from center to downstage left X DL

    Actor makes a hesitant cross upstage right CuX UR

    Actor enters stage right, crosses downstage left EN SR  DL

    *If actors want to add notations for other characters, or if a production book is being kept by a
    stage manager or assistant director, add character identifications for each stage direction.

    “Character” enters stage right, crosses downstage left © EN SR  DL

    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 7


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    © Drama Notebook www.dramanotebook.com pg. 8

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