Actors hate being told what to feel. They may not say so. They may nod politely, underline the stage direction and attempt to honor it. But somewhere inside, a small rebellion has begun. The best stage directions create conditions. The worst dictate results. [more]

Actors have to stand somewhere. That doesn’t mean their position means anything. Too much stage blocking is merely traffic control: cross on this line, sit for this speech, move downstage so the audience can see you. It keeps the stage from becoming static, but movement alone does not create life. When blocking exists only to fill space, actors begin moving because the director is afraid of stillness. [more]

In theatre, the center is never neutral. The audience's eye is naturally drawn to center stage. Whoever occupies it is often perceived as the person with the greatest authority, importance, or emotional weight at that moment. But the more interesting question is not who owns the center, but why they own it. [more]