Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Go through the script and get a sense of where your exits and entrances will happen.
Step2
Go through each scene before blocking it and create a stage picture in your mind. Take notes on where you feel the actors should move at appropriate points.
Step3
Instruct the actors during rehearsal where and when you want them to exit and enter. Regarding movement around the stage, it may be preferable to let the actors choose their own movements if they have the experience and instincts to do so. Otherwise, you will have to give explicit directions. If there are many actors onstage at once, you will probably have to instruct them where to go.
Step4
Have the actors write their blocking down in their scripts. The stage manager should write all blocking on the director's copy of the script.
Step5
Have the actors repeat the scene once it is blocked. Watch carefully, noticing whether the actions make emotional sense and noting spots where the action tends to drag. Make corrections and additions as needed.
Step6
Justify every action. Even if the movement was added simply to liven up the scene, the character must have an appropriate reason for doing it. As much as possible, find an activity for the character to perform at the end of the movement. For example, if the actor crosses to the side of a kitchen, have her pick up an apple and bite into it if she might logically be hungry, thus justifying the cross.
Novice 
