Stage Management - Blocking Notation
The role of the DSM in rehearsal is to keep track of all actor movements (known as blocking) in the prompt script.
- DS = Downstage
- US = Upstage
- SR = Stage Right
- CS = Centre stage
- SL = Stage Left
- RC = Right of centre stage
- LC = Left of centre stage
- DR = Down right
- DL = Down left
- UR = Up right
- UL = Up left
- UC = Up centre
- DC = Down centre
- C/L = Centre line
- X = Cross
Compass Directions / Clock Directions
The diagram on the right shows a proscenium stage, however other stage layouts (such as theatre in the round, arena staging, traverse, site-specific, and some types of thrust stage) will not be as clearly defined.
In these cases, the points of a compass could be used (e.g the entrance door may be NORTH, so the actor enters N then walks South East).
In the Round staging could use a clock. Again, a clearly defined location is 12 o'clock.
Software
Stage Write is an app for iPad which simplifies the recording of moves and choreography
More coming soon