Early Blocking

Once the play is cast and the read-through is over, blocking can begin.

This is your chance to really settle into the theater where you'll spending a lot of your time.  Depending on the play and the director, this can take anything from a week to a month (or sometimes even more).  For that reason, I'll do several sections on the subject.

Until then, here are a few tips for the beginning actor blocking for the first time.

What You Should Know:


First, do what the director tells you, unless you can explain very clearly and reasonably why you shouldn't.  In fact, I would strongly caution against the latter.  Unless you literally can't do what he or she asks (I can't roll over my head, so in my case tumbles are out), go for it.  The director probably hasn't gotten the job without being pretty smart.

Second, try not to ask for very specific directions.  Blocking is where you learn your entrances, exits, and where you should essentially be in between.  Everything else should come from you.  The director will tell you if he or she doesn't like what you're doing, and he or she will give you specifics as they become necessary.  Until then, take the initiative.

Finally, pay attention.  Blocking takes a long time.  When you're waiting for a long time offstage (or even on stage) it can be tempting to think about other things.  While waiting offstage, it's okay to read, but pay close attention.  It's never a good idea to hold things up even more by not being ready to move on when it finally is time for you to work.

These are things I've always found useful to remember, and like most lessons I learned them by making mistakes.  I hope, however, that these tips help you.

More on blocking here!