Blockering

Blockering is a term used in several languages to denote the planning and execution of the placement and movement of performers on a stage during a production. In English, the equivalent term is blocking. The practice aims to ensure clear visual storytelling, safe movement, and efficient rehearsal.

In theatre, blockering involves determining where actors stand, how they move between positions, when they enter or exit, and how they interact with scenery, props, and other performers. It is typically developed by the director or stage manager during rehearsals and is recorded in scripts, floor plans, or blocking diagrams. Floor marks, tape, or other indicators help performers reproduce the planned positions during performances.

In contemporary productions, blocking often integrates with lighting, sound cues, and set changes, so timing and spacing align with technical cues.

In computing contexts, the term is sometimes translated or used to describe blocking operations—situations where a function call or thread waits for a task to complete before continuing, as opposed to non-blocking methods.

Etymology: The form blockering derives from the English word blocking with a suffix used in several European languages, reflecting cross-linguistic adoption in theatre terminology.

See also: blocking, blocking diagram, stage directions.