Rehearsals for the upcoming production of Hamlet are in full swing. As the cast memorizes their lines and movements, the crew has begun helping with the blocking. Together, the play members work on blocking various scenes from part two of act four.

“So blocking is when you move actors and pieces and props to where you want them on the stage,” drama teacher and director Cathryn Rinaldi said. “It’s super important because the movement and where people are standing and who they are standing with helps to portray what is happening in the scene. The importance of people, the relaxation level or the tension in the scene and the movements really help to tell the story.”

Blocking is a technique that was established roughly around 1961. This technique is vital to the production of play as it helps actors get to know their characters better and creates familiarity with how the scene is to be presented.  If blocking were removed, the play would not run as smoothly.

“Without blocking the show would be stiff, boring, and awkward. We spend weeks focusing on blocking and concentrating on the symbolism behind each movement,” junior and co-stage manager Finn Grieger said.