Reading a script, marking it up, and writing notes during a rehearsal process is definitely a skill! It might sound intuitive, but it can be deceptively tricky. However, reading your script, understanding it, and actually engaging with it are the first (and some of the most crucial steps!) to bringing a production to life! Whether you’re an actor or a crew member, your script is your guide to understanding the story and your role in it. Here’s how to get the most out of reading and engaging with your script:
Read the Entire Script
Even if you don’t have a lot of lines, it’s important to read the whole script. This helps you understand the entire story, the characters' relationships, and the play's overall message. Knowing the full picture will make your performance stronger!
If you don't understand what is happening in part of the script, don't be afraid to ask! Try paraphrasing it, to see if you can get to the heart of the meaning. You need to understand a line in order to say it or react to it on stage.
Understand Your Character
Pay attention to what your character says and how they say it. Ask yourself:
What do I want in this scene? (What’s my character's goal?)
How do I feel about the other characters? (Am I angry, happy, confused?)
What does my character want the audience to know? (What’s my character’s motivation?)
Mark Your Lines and Cues
Underline your lines so you know where to speak.
Circle the cues that trigger your lines, like when another character speaks or when a change in lighting or sound happens.
Highlight key moments in the script that feel important for your character’s journey or emotions.
Note Your Blocking
Blocking is where you stand and move on stage. As you read through your script, pay attention to any notes about movement or positioning. Write down your blocking in the margins or make little drawings to help you remember.
Connect with Other Characters
Think about how your character interacts with others. If you're sharing a scene with someone, what is the relationship like? Are you best friends, rivals, or strangers?
Read the other characters’ lines to understand how they affect your character’s behavior and feelings.
Rehearse and Memorize
Once you understand your character and the script, start practicing! Memorize your lines so you can focus on your performance rather than just reading the script. Rehearse with other actors so you can practice your blocking and timing.
Understand the Whole Script
As a crew member, you may not be performing, but it's still important to understand the entire script. This helps you know what’s happening on stage and when things need to change behind the scenes, like lighting, sound, costume changes, or set changes.
Highlight Important Cues
Crew members should mark cues that relate to lighting, sound, set changes, costumes, or other backstage activities. For example:
Lighting cues: When should the lights change, dim, or brighten?
Sound cues: When does a sound effect or music start?
Set changes: What props or pieces of the set need to be moved?
Costume changes: When does an actor need to change costumes? Is there a quick-change happening between scenes?
By marking these cues in your script, you’ll know exactly when to act!
Read the Stage Directions
The stage directions tell everyone what should be happening on stage. They describe the characters' movements, the setting, and important events in the show. Even though you're not acting, these directions help you understand what needs to happen for the show to run smoothly.
Take Notes for Your Role
As a crew member, you’ll have specific tasks like moving props, adjusting lighting, setting up costumes, or helping with costume changes. Take notes about:
When and where to make these changes.
Any special instructions that might make the show look better (like special effects or prop handling).
Important moments to watch for, like scene changes, costume changes, or entrances, that might need your help.
Ask Questions
If something isn’t clear or you’re unsure about your role, ask the director or stage manager. They’re there to help, and it’s better to ask questions than to miss something important during the show!
Stay Organized: Keep your script neat, with clear markings for your lines, blocking, cues, and any notes you have. This helps you find what you need quickly.
Be Flexible: Things might change during rehearsals or performances, so be ready to adapt your notes and actions.
Stay Focused: Pay attention to the details in the script and in rehearsal so that you can be ready when it's your time to shine—whether you're performing or supporting the show behind the scenes.
There are a few tricks to keeping track of things in your script and score. No need to reinvent the wheel! Use some of these abbreviations and ideas to keep your notes in order.
DS - Downstage (toward the audience)
US - Upstage (away from the audience)
SL - Stage Left (actor's left when facing the audience)
SR - Stage Right (actor's right when facing the audience)
C - Center Stage (middle of the stage)
X - Cross (move from one place to another)
Example: “X DS” means cross downstage.
RC/LC - Right Center or Left Center of the stage
↑ - Move upstage
↓ - Move downstage
Q - Cue (a line or action prompting something to happen)
BG - Background
B/O - Blackout (lights go out completely)
P/U - Pick Up (used when a scene or line needs to speed up)
When you annotate your script, you're writing notes in the margins to help you remember important details, like lines, cues, or actions. Some common ways to annotate your script include:
Underline or Highlight Key Lines: This helps emphasize important parts of your character's dialogue or actions that are crucial for the story.
Write Blocking Notes: As you're rehearsing, mark where your character moves. You can use abbreviations like SL (stage left) or C (center stage) to remind yourself where to be during certain lines.
Circle Cues: Circle the lines that signal lighting, sound, or set changes to remind you of when those events will happen during the show.
Use Arrows or Diagrams: Draw arrows to show your movement across the stage or write down specific gestures. This can be helpful when you're remembering a cross or an action you need to perform.
Blocking is when the director or choreographer tells you where to stand and move on stage. It's important to note your blocking in your script so you remember it later!
Write down your position at the start of a scene (e.g., “Stand center stage”) or specific movement cues (e.g., “X SL”).
Use Symbols and Abbreviations: You can use arrows (→ or ←) to show direction or X for crossing to a new spot.
Note Timing: If your blocking is connected to a specific line or action, write that down too (e.g., “Enter SR after ‘I’ll be right back’”).
Revisit Blocking: During rehearsal, make sure to check your notes and update them if the blocking changes.