DISCLAIMER: The pages included in this product are pulled from my Editable Theatre Prompt Book Template | Stage Manager Binder. If you have already purchased that, these pages would be duplicates. 

🎭 How to Mark Up a Script for Theatre Students

This clear, student‑friendly guide teaches how to properly mark up a script for rehearsals and performances. Perfect for Theatre I, Intro to Theatre, Stagecraft, and One Act Play, this resource walks students through blocking notation, cue writing, color coding, and margin use so scripts stay organized and rehearsal‑ready.

Designed for beginners, this handout mirrors real-world rehearsal practices used in high school and collegiate theatre.

What This Resource Covers

• How to write cues in a 3‑part format
• Cue label (LQ, SQ, etc.)
• What happens
• When it’s called

• Left vs. Right margin expectations
• Acting vs. tech & cues

• Standard blocking abbreviations
• Stage directions (USR, DSL, CS, etc.)
• Movement symbols (X, EN, EX, SIT/ST, FL)

• Color‑coding system for:
• Blocking
• Light cues
• Sound cues
• Set changes
• Props

• Best practices including:
• Never erasing — only crossing out
• Visually tracking blocking within dialogue
• Rehearsal problem markings (safety, timing, repetition)

✅ What’s Included

✔ Printable PDF handout
✔ Editable Canva version (for customization)
✔ Google Drive access for easy sharing with students

✅ Perfect For

• Theatre I / Intro to Theatre
• UIL One Act Play prep
• Rehearsal expectations & procedures
• Substitute plans
• Student directors or stage managers
• Interactive notebooks or binders

✅ Grade Levels 7–12

✅ Why Teachers Love This

• Clear, no‑fluff instructions students actually understand
• Mirrors professional rehearsal standards
• Saves time explaining script marking over and over
• Editable for your specific program’s expectations