Cady McClain Steers the Ship on Blocking Duties
Daytime Emmy star Cady McClain on the grind of blocking at her sunny LA theatre rehearsal
Image: Instagram
In a recent Instagram update, three-time Daytime Emmy winner Cady McClain shared a candid look at the often overlooked art of blocking in theatre. Against a backdrop of California sunshine, McClain reflected on the physical and creative labor that goes into mapping actors’ movements and ensuring every line finds its perfect spot on stage.
Cady Mcclain Embraces Directing And Blocking
McClain, best known for her award-winning runs on As the World Turns and All My Children, posted a photo from the Marilyn Monroe Theatre in West Hollywood, where she’s directing a staged reading of Eric Conger’s play The Park. “Not a bad gig! Blocking is a shit ton of work, but on this beautiful California day I’m feeling like one of the lucky ones,” she wrote. “Work is good for the soul. Whatever my art is, I know part of it is helping to make a space and place for the words on the page to live. And I can do that. I can steer the ship and get her home.”
Behind The Scenes Of “the Park”
Earlier this month, McClain kicked off rehearsals for The Park with a marathon session that covered 50 pages of blocking and a full run-through of Act One in under four hours. In an Instagram post from Day One, she thanked playwright Eric Conger, stage manager Yaesol Jeong and a cast that includes Katharine McEwan, Presciliana Esparolini and a talented ensemble. The staged reading is produced by Axial Theatre, Zetland Media and the Lee Strasberg Creative Center, with 100 percent of proceeds supporting the Entertainment Community Fund for fire relief efforts in Los Angeles.
From Soap Star To Stage Director
McClain first rose to prominence as a teenager on As the World Turns, earning back-to-back Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Younger Actress in 1986 and 1987. Over a decades-long career she’s appeared in primetime series including Nip/Tuck and starred on Broadway and regional stages. But directing has become a creative passion: she’s helmed development readings of new plays, championed emerging playwrights like Kate Benson and most recently brought The Park to life in West Hollywood.
Her multi-Emmy pedigree underlines a deep understanding of character and pacing—skills she now applies to guiding other actors through their physical storytelling. Blocking, McClain notes, is not just about marking X’s on the floor; it’s about building emotional beats, crafting visual arcs and giving every actor a clear navigational path. On a sunlit LA afternoon, she described feeling “lucky” to shape those first steps, even as she juggles cues, sightlines and the inevitable hiccups of live theatre.
A Career Defined By Reinvention
Beyond her soap roots, McClain’s résumé encompasses film roles, podcast voice-overs, children’s books and a stint on reality television. Yet she consistently circles back to the stage, drawn by the immediacy of live performance. Her work with Axial Theatre has spotlighted new writing while also raising funds for community causes—from wildfire relief to grants for up-and-coming artists.
In her caption, she called blocking “soul food,” a reminder that the toughest labor often yields the richest rewards. Whether she’s tracing actor pathways or coaching emotional subtext, McClain sees her role as a steward: directing the energy of a play from first read-through to final bow.
As rehearsals move into the second act, audiences can expect a thoughtful staging that balances tight choreography with the raw intimacy of Conger’s script. Ticket availability remains limited for the June 21 reading at 7936 Santa Monica Boulevard, a benefit event that blends artistry with advocacy.
Looking ahead, McClain hints at more directorial projects on the horizon—proof that this stage veteran still finds new corners of creativity to explore. For fans and fellow artists alike, her latest Instagram post is both an invitation and a masterclass: blocking may be hard work, but it’s a labor that breathes life into words on a page.
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