What is the process called that involves planning and choreographing actor movements on stage?

Blocking is the precise planning and movement of actors on stage to facilitate the storytelling within a performance. This process includes making decisions about where the actors will stand, how they will move during scenes, and how these movements will align with the overall flow of the production. By establishing blocking, directors can enhance the visual composition and rhythm of a scene, ensuring that the audience's focus is directed appropriately and that actors interact meaningfully with one another and with the set. This helps in creating a cohesive narrative and allows for clear communication of the characters' intentions and emotions.

While stage direction refers to the instructions given to the actors and production crew, and choreography is specifically associated with dance sequences, blocking encompasses a broader range of movement that includes both acting and possibly dancing within a performance. Staging typically involves the broader context of the physical setup of the performance space, which includes elements such as set design, props, and lights, rather than the specific movements of actors.