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Stage directions, which are instructions in a script describing what an actor must do, rather than say are essential to point out what is going on when there is action but no talking. Imagine this scene, with just dialogue and no stage directions:

Lord Caraway: I agree, Inspector, you must arrest John Portman.

Inspector Bristlecone: Lord Caraway, I arrest you for the murder of Nathaniel West.

What? That makes no sense. But see what happens when we add the stage directions:

Lord Caraway: I agree, Inspector, you must arrest John Portman.

The telephone rings. Both Caraway and Bristlecone go to answer it. Bristlecone bumps into Caraway and he falls. As he does so, Nathaniel West's stolen wallet falls from Caraway's pocket. The two men look at each other for a moment then both reach for the wallet. Bristlecone reaches it first and examines it. He looks up slowly.

Inspector Bristlecone: Lord Caraway, I arrest you for the murder of Nathaniel West.

As you see, it does make a difference.

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12y ago

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Do stage directions include sleeping?

no stage directions are the directions or places on stage to stand or cross to.


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The stage without the stage directions is nothing!


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There are 9 stage directions


How can you identify stage directions when reading a play?

It will have the directions in parentheses


What can stage directions help a reader understand about a play?

Stage directions help you by telling you what an actor/actress is doing


During read-throughs does one read stage directions as well as the dialogue?

Yes. Stage managers read the stage directions, and actors read their parts.


What do stage directions look like?

Stage directions are usually on a script in brackets or italic next to the person who needs to perform them


Which is not or are not ways playwrights use stage directions?

None of the above (playwrights use stage directions in all the ways listed)