When an actor or actress moves from one place to another on stage, it is called a CROSS. A cross may be a DIRECT cross which could show DETERMINATION and STRENGTH, or a CURVED cross which could show THOUGHTFULNESS, EASE, or UNCERTAINTY.

UPSTAGE - refers to the area away from the audience or camera.

DOWNSTAGE - refers to the area closest to the audience or camera.

STAGE RIGHT - refers to the actor's right as he faces the audience or camera.

STAGE LEFT - refers to the actor's left as he faces the audience or camera.

Each time you start a cross. be sure you use your upstage foot. And each time you pick up an object be sure to use your upstage hand.

ALWAYS CONCENTRATE ON YOUR POSTURE.

The actor must develop grace in movement...opening and closing doors, answering the telephone, picking up objects, rising, sitting. While these are daily activities in home, school,etc...they are also common business for the stage, television, and films. The actor must use the upstage hand or foot for the aforementioned, because it is more graceful to watch, BUT there will be exceptions.

These methods have been found to be the most graceful ways of accomplishing simple actions, and so they have been called BASIC TECHNIQUES. They are simply techniques because they accompish the movement with the least amount of action and commotion.

THE PLACEMENT OF THE ACTOR'S FEET ON STAGE IS REFERRED TO IN FIVE POSITIONS:

1) 1/4 position - the actor stands with his upstage foot parallel to the back wall and his downstage foot pointed out toward the audience. This is the position used in conversation when two actors share a scene. Both actors are the opened to the auditorium or camera.

2) 1/2 position - the actor stands in profile with both feet parallel to the back wall.

3) 3/4 position - the actor stands with his back 3/4's to the audience or camera.

4) FULL FRONT - the actor faces the audience with both feet pointing to the audience.

5) FULL BACK - the actor has his back facing the audience.

COUNTERING - is the act of adjusting your position on stage to conform to another actor's cross. If an actor isstanding in conversation with you and then crossesin front of you to the other side of the room, you would shift your weight from the upstage foot and withone or two small steps turn so that you are facinghim again. It is done very easy and inconspicuosly.

TURNING - on stage should be executed towards the audience. If you are standing profile in the middle of the stage, facing the right, and you wish to turn and cross to the left, turn towards the audience so that your face is visible the whole time. There will be, however, times when your back has to face the audience.

ENTRANCES AND EXITS - are very important to the effectiveness of an actor. Always make an entrance from at least six (6) feet in the wings and exit in character at least six (6) feet off stage. In this way you will be in character as you come into view on the stage, and you will be walking in the right RHYTHYM.

PRACTICE

PRACTICE

PRACTICE