Proxemics and movement

Today we focused on the stage and sections of the stage that would be suitable for say a soliloquy or dialogue to be delivered. Together we discovered that the back of the stage was the most suitable place to for a soliloquy to be delivered (when performing on a thrust stage) because all 3 sides of the audience should be able to see the actor. Of course this doesn't always have to be done this way for other effects, but this gave us a basic understanding of a placement in which the audience could have an intimate moment with the actor.

Similarly a character of higher authority or importance might have a stronger presence along any point center stage. This is because we associate the most important things as being in the middle, front or on top of something. By doing this an atmosphere and opinion of the character being played can be implied without words. Of course posture such as standing tall, firm and solid would also indicate status in the same way that leading the body with the belly could imply that the person of importance isn't necessarily nice or mannorful.

Whereas a character of low status or importance might be to the side of the stage and maintain a static placement of themselves compared to the important people who have the authority to move and go as they please.

Another interesting staging for two individuals sharing dialogue would be placing the two actors on a diagonal at any point on the stage. This would allow at least one of the actors faces to be seen by most if not all of the audience. Personally, I think the best two character conversation would take place from one volt to another (the opposite one), this would work with up to four people and would be effective. One of the reasons that this would be effective would be because the staging is a little more complicated then just having a couple of actors talking to one another at arms length (which is both boring and a bit 'too naturalistic'). It's important to keep the staging interesting otherwise the acting can become boring to the audience and then the playwrights work is ruined.

Other things that are important is to not be too static but to also not move too much otherwise it will distract the audience from the dialogue or other important stage actions.