Etymology and history of blocking
– Blocking and block were applied to stage and theater from as early as 1961.
– The term derives from the practice of 19th-century theatre directors using blocks to represent actors on a miniature stage.
– Sir W. S. Gilbert, a theatre director, popularized this practice.
– Gilbert’s use of blocks is depicted in Mike Leigh’s film Topsy-Turvy.
– Both blocking and block have been used to refer to staging and theater.
Blocking in theater and film
– The director determines blocking during rehearsal in contemporary theater.
– Blocking is used to create the proper dramatic effect and ensure sight lines for the audience.
– Each scene in a play is usually blocked as a unit.
– The assistant director or stage manager takes notes on actors’ positions and movements during the blocking rehearsal.
– In film, blocking refers to the arrangement of actors in the frame and considers camera movement.
Stage directions
– House left and right refer to the actors’ left and right when facing the audience.
– Upstage refers to the rear of the stage, farthest from the audience.
– Downstage refers to the front of the stage, nearest the audience.
– Prompt and bastard/opposite prompt are sometimes used as synonyms for stage left and right.
– Crossing refers to an actor’s movement on stage, such as crossing downstage left.
Non-English-speaking cultures
– In French, house right is côté cour (courtyard side) and house left is côté jardin (garden side).
– The terms côté de la reine (Queen side) and côté du roi (King side) were used before the French Revolution.
– In Cantonese opera, stage right is called yi bin (the side of clothing) and stage left is zaap bin (the side of props).
– In German, Italian, and Arabic, left and right always refer to the audience perspective.
References
– Novak and Novak’s book ‘Staging Musical Theatre’ provides insights into blocking in musical theater.
– The Online Etymology Dictionary provides information on the origins of the terms blocking and block.
– Viola Spolin’s book ‘Theater Games for Rehearsal: A Directors Handbook’ offers guidance on incorporating blocking techniques.
– Ron Cameron’s book ‘Acting Skills for Life’ discusses the importance of blocking in acting.
– Claude Manceron’s book ‘Les Hommes de la liberté’ explores the history of theater terminology, including blocking. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_(stage)
In theatre, blocking is the precise staging of actors to facilitate the performance of a play, ballet, film or opera. Historically, the expectations of staging/blocking have changed substantially over time in Western theater. Prior to the movements toward "realism" that occurred in the 19th century, most staging used a "tableau" approach, in which a stage picture was established whenever characters entered or left the stage, ensuring that leading performers were always shown to their best advantage. In more recent times, while nothing has changed about showing leading performers to their best advantage, there have been changing cultural expectations that have made blocking/staging more complicated. There are also artistic reasons why blocking can be crucial. Through careful use of positioning on the stage, a director or performer can establish or change the significance of a scene. Different artistic principles can inform blocking, including minimalism and naturalism.
