Blocking

When performing a script, the primary goal is to tell the story of the script as effectively and clearly as possible. Although the dialogue in the script will help to communicate the story, the blocking will be the primary tool to communicate the subtext to the audience. In this guide, we will examine how blocking can communicate character relationships, emotional arcs of the script, and how to block effectively to maintain the audience’s focus.

Terminology

• Blocking: A set of predetermined movements for an actor on stage.
• Scene: A segment of action and dialogue between two or more characters within a play.
• Script: The story that has been written for actors to perform.
• Stage Directions: Information in the play, included by the playwright, that identifies staging, characterization, blocking, or technical requirements for a script.
• Subtext: The implied message or unspoken meaning of something that is written.