diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
index 15d3b4b7c..5551bf61f 100644
--- a/.vscode/launch.json
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json
@@ -1,19 +1,27 @@
 {
   "version": "0.2.0",
   "configurations": [
-		{
-			"name": "HTML5 Debug",
-			"type": "chrome",
-			"request": "launch",
-			"url": "http://127.0.0.1:3001",
-			"sourceMaps": true,
-			"webRoot": "${workspaceFolder}",
-			"preLaunchTask": "debug: html"
-		},
     {
+			// Launch in browser
+      "name": "HTML5 Debug",
+      "type": "chrome",
+      "request": "launch",
+      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:3001",
+      "sourceMaps": true,
+      "webRoot": "${workspaceFolder}",
+      "preLaunchTask": "debug: html"
+    },
+    {
+			// Launch in native/CPP
       "name": "Lime",
       "type": "lime",
       "request": "launch"
+    },
+    {
+			// Evaluate macros with debugging enabled
+      "name": "Haxe Eval",
+      "type": "haxe-eval",
+      "request": "launch"
     }
   ]
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/Project.xml b/Project.xml
index 938b96ed4..52fa97a43 100644
--- a/Project.xml
+++ b/Project.xml
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
 	<!--Mobile-specific-->
 	<window if="mobile" orientation="landscape" fullscreen="true" width="0" height="0" resizable="false"/>
 
+	<!-- This macro permanently silences an annoying warning. -->
+	<option flashStrict="False" />
+	<haxeflag name="--macro" value="allowPackage('flash')" />
+
 	<!-- _____________________________ Path Settings ____________________________ -->
 
 	<set name="BUILD_DIR" value="export/debug" if="debug" />
@@ -109,6 +113,7 @@
 	<assets path="assets/fonts" embed='true'/>
 	<!-- _______________________________ Libraries ______________________________ -->
 
+	<haxelib name="openfl" />
 	<haxelib name="flixel" />
 	<haxedev set='webgl' />
 
diff --git a/source/GameOverSubstate.hx b/source/GameOverSubstate.hx
index 469a2a609..c7de6e688 100644
--- a/source/GameOverSubstate.hx
+++ b/source/GameOverSubstate.hx
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class GameOverSubstate extends MusicBeatSubstate
 		gameOverMusic = new FlxSound();
 		FlxG.sound.list.add(gameOverMusic);
 
-		var daStage = PlayState.curStage;
+		var daStage = PlayState.curStageId;
 		var daBf:String = '';
 		switch (daStage)
 		{
diff --git a/source/InitState.hx b/source/InitState.hx
index 9526720b0..2183e0d87 100644
--- a/source/InitState.hx
+++ b/source/InitState.hx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 package;
 
-#if !(macro)
+import play.stage.StageData;
 import charting.ChartingState;
 import flixel.addons.transition.FlxTransitionSprite.GraphicTransTileDiamond;
 import flixel.addons.transition.FlxTransitionableState;
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import openfl.display.BitmapData;
 import play.PicoFight;
 import ui.PreferencesMenu;
 import ui.stageBuildShit.StageBuilderState;
+import util.macro.MacroUtil;
 
 using StringTools;
 
@@ -29,10 +30,15 @@ import sys.io.File;
 import sys.thread.Thread;
 #end
 
+/**
+ * Initializes the game state using custom defines.
+ * Only used in Debug builds.
+ */
 class InitState extends FlxTransitionableState
 {
 	override public function create():Void
 	{
+		trace('This is a debug build, loading InitState...');
 		#if android
 		FlxG.android.preventDefaultKeys = [FlxAndroidKey.BACK];
 		#end
@@ -113,6 +119,8 @@ class InitState extends FlxTransitionableState
 		// FlxTransitionableState.skipNextTransOut = true;
 		FlxTransitionableState.skipNextTransIn = true;
 
+		StageDataParser.loadStageCache();
+
 		#if song
 		var song = getSong();
 
@@ -191,21 +199,12 @@ class InitState extends FlxTransitionableState
 		LoadingState.loadAndSwitchState(new PlayState());
 	}
 }
-#end
 
 function getWeek()
-	return Std.parseInt(getDefine("week"));
+	return Std.parseInt(MacroUtil.getDefine("week"));
 
 function getSong()
-	return getDefine("song");
+	return MacroUtil.getDefine("song");
 
 function getDif()
-	return Std.parseInt(getDefine("dif", "1"));
-
-macro function getDefine(key:String, defaultValue:String = null):haxe.macro.Expr
-{
-	var value = haxe.macro.Context.definedValue(key);
-	if (value == null)
-		value = defaultValue;
-	return macro $v{value};
-}
+	return Std.parseInt(MacroUtil.getDefine("dif", "1"));
diff --git a/source/Note.hx b/source/Note.hx
index 1cb0b6a4e..f7434087a 100644
--- a/source/Note.hx
+++ b/source/Note.hx
@@ -43,29 +43,41 @@ class Note extends FlxSprite
 	public var isSustainNote:Bool = false;
 
 	public var colorSwap:ColorSwap;
-	
+
 	/** the lowercase name of the note, for anim control, i.e. left right up down */
 	public var dirName(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_dirName() return data.dirName;
-	
+
+	inline function get_dirName()
+		return data.dirName;
+
 	/** the uppercase name of the note, for anim control, i.e. left right up down */
 	public var dirNameUpper(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_dirNameUpper() return data.dirNameUpper;
-	
+
+	inline function get_dirNameUpper()
+		return data.dirNameUpper;
+
 	/** the lowercase name of the note's color, for anim control, i.e. purple blue green red */
 	public var colorName(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_colorName() return data.colorName;
-	
+
+	inline function get_colorName()
+		return data.colorName;
+
 	/** the lowercase name of the note's color, for anim control, i.e. purple blue green red */
 	public var colorNameUpper(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_colorNameUpper() return data.colorNameUpper;
-	
+
+	inline function get_colorNameUpper()
+		return data.colorNameUpper;
+
 	public var highStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_highStakes() return data.highStakes;
-	
+
+	inline function get_highStakes()
+		return data.highStakes;
+
 	public var lowStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_lowStakes() return data.lowStakes;
-	
+
+	inline function get_lowStakes()
+		return data.lowStakes;
+
 	public static var swagWidth:Float = 160 * 0.7;
 	public static var PURP_NOTE:Int = 0;
 	public static var GREEN_NOTE:Int = 2;
@@ -103,7 +115,7 @@ class Note extends FlxSprite
 
 		data.noteData = noteData;
 
-		var daStage:String = PlayState.curStage;
+		var daStage:String = PlayState.curStageId;
 
 		switch (daStage)
 		{
@@ -187,7 +199,7 @@ class Note extends FlxSprite
 
 			x -= width / 2;
 
-			if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+			if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 				x += 30;
 
 			if (prevNote.isSustainNote)
@@ -263,7 +275,7 @@ class Note extends FlxSprite
 				alpha = 0.3;
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	static public function fromData(data:NoteData, prevNote:Note, isSustainNote = false)
 	{
 		return new Note(data.strumTime, data.noteData, prevNote, isSustainNote);
@@ -281,96 +293,126 @@ typedef RawNoteData =
 @:forward
 abstract NoteData(RawNoteData)
 {
-	public function new (strumTime = 0.0, noteData:NoteType = 0, sustainLength = 0.0, altNote = false)
+	public function new(strumTime = 0.0, noteData:NoteType = 0, sustainLength = 0.0, altNote = false)
 	{
-		this =
-		{ strumTime     : strumTime
-		, noteData      : noteData
-		, sustainLength : sustainLength
-		, altNote       : altNote
+		this = {
+			strumTime: strumTime,
+			noteData: noteData,
+			sustainLength: sustainLength,
+			altNote: altNote
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	public var note(get, never):NoteType;
-	inline function get_note() return this.noteData.value;
-	
+
+	inline function get_note()
+		return this.noteData.value;
+
 	public var int(get, never):Int;
-	inline function get_int() return this.noteData.int;
-	
+
+	inline function get_int()
+		return this.noteData.int;
+
 	public var dir(get, never):NoteDir;
-	inline function get_dir() return this.noteData.value;
-	
+
+	inline function get_dir()
+		return this.noteData.value;
+
 	public var dirName(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_dirName() return dir.name;
-	
+
+	inline function get_dirName()
+		return dir.name;
+
 	public var dirNameUpper(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_dirNameUpper() return dir.nameUpper;
-	
+
+	inline function get_dirNameUpper()
+		return dir.nameUpper;
+
 	public var color(get, never):NoteColor;
-	inline function get_color() return this.noteData.value;
-	
+
+	inline function get_color()
+		return this.noteData.value;
+
 	public var colorName(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_colorName() return color.name;
-	
+
+	inline function get_colorName()
+		return color.name;
+
 	public var colorNameUpper(get, never):String;
-	inline function get_colorNameUpper() return color.nameUpper;
-	
+
+	inline function get_colorNameUpper()
+		return color.nameUpper;
+
 	public var highStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_highStakes() return this.noteData.highStakes;
-	
+
+	inline function get_highStakes()
+		return this.noteData.highStakes;
+
 	public var lowStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_lowStakes() return this.noteData.lowStakes;
+
+	inline function get_lowStakes()
+		return this.noteData.lowStakes;
 }
 
 enum abstract NoteType(Int) from Int to Int
 {
 	// public var raw(get, never):Int;
 	// inline function get_raw() return this;
-	
 	public var int(get, never):Int;
-	inline function get_int() return this < 0 ? -this : this % 4;
-	
+
+	inline function get_int()
+		return this < 0 ? -this : this % 4;
+
 	public var value(get, never):NoteType;
-	inline function get_value() return int;
-	
+
+	inline function get_value()
+		return int;
+
 	public var highStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_highStakes() return this > 3;
-	
+
+	inline function get_highStakes()
+		return this > 3;
+
 	public var lowStakes(get, never):Bool;
-	inline function get_lowStakes() return this < 0;
+
+	inline function get_lowStakes()
+		return this < 0;
 }
 
 @:forward
 enum abstract NoteDir(NoteType) from Int to Int from NoteType
 {
-	var LEFT  = 0;
-	var DOWN  = 1;
-	var UP    = 2;
+	var LEFT = 0;
+	var DOWN = 1;
+	var UP = 2;
 	var RIGHT = 3;
-	
 	var value(get, never):NoteDir;
-	inline function get_value() return this.value;
-	
+
+	inline function get_value()
+		return this.value;
+
 	public var name(get, never):String;
+
 	function get_name()
 	{
-		return switch(value)
+		return switch (value)
 		{
-			case LEFT : "left" ;
-			case DOWN : "down" ;
-			case UP   : "up"   ;
+			case LEFT: "left";
+			case DOWN: "down";
+			case UP: "up";
 			case RIGHT: "right";
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	public var nameUpper(get, never):String;
+
 	function get_nameUpper()
 	{
-		return switch(value)
+		return switch (value)
 		{
-			case LEFT : "LEFT" ;
-			case DOWN : "DOWN" ;
-			case UP   : "UP"   ;
+			case LEFT: "LEFT";
+			case DOWN: "DOWN";
+			case UP: "UP";
 			case RIGHT: "RIGHT";
 		}
 	}
@@ -380,34 +422,37 @@ enum abstract NoteDir(NoteType) from Int to Int from NoteType
 enum abstract NoteColor(NoteType) from Int to Int from NoteType
 {
 	var PURPLE = 0;
-	var BLUE   = 1;
-	var GREEN  = 2;
-	var RED    = 3;
-	
+	var BLUE = 1;
+	var GREEN = 2;
+	var RED = 3;
 	var value(get, never):NoteColor;
-	inline function get_value() return this.value;
-	
+
+	inline function get_value()
+		return this.value;
+
 	public var name(get, never):String;
+
 	function get_name()
 	{
-		return switch(value)
+		return switch (value)
 		{
 			case PURPLE: "purple";
-			case BLUE  : "blue"  ;
-			case GREEN : "green" ;
-			case RED   : "red"   ;
+			case BLUE: "blue";
+			case GREEN: "green";
+			case RED: "red";
 		}
 	}
-	
+
 	public var nameUpper(get, never):String;
+
 	function get_nameUpper()
 	{
-		return switch(value)
+		return switch (value)
 		{
 			case PURPLE: "PURPLE";
-			case BLUE  : "BLUE"  ;
-			case GREEN : "GREEN" ;
-			case RED   : "RED"   ;
+			case BLUE: "BLUE";
+			case GREEN: "GREEN";
+			case RED: "RED";
 		}
 	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/source/PlayState.hx b/source/PlayState.hx
index 7fd5c64d2..3c5484e7d 100644
--- a/source/PlayState.hx
+++ b/source/PlayState.hx
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package;
 
+import play.stage.StageData;
+import play.stage.Stage;
 import Note;
 import Section.SwagSection;
 import SongLoad.SwagSong;
@@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ import Discord.DiscordClient;
 
 class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 {
-	public static var curStage:String = '';
+	public static var curStageId:String = '';
 	public static var SONG:SwagSong;
 	public static var isStoryMode:Bool = false;
 	public static var storyWeek:Int = 0;
@@ -51,8 +53,6 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 	public static var practiceMode:Bool = false;
 	public static var needsReset:Bool = false;
 
-	var halloweenLevel:Bool = false;
-
 	private var vocals:VoicesGroup;
 	private var vocalsFinished:Bool = false;
 
@@ -390,22 +390,13 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		switch (SONG.song.toLowerCase())
 		{
 			case 'spookeez' | 'monster' | 'south':
-				curStage = "spooky";
-				halloweenLevel = true;
+				curStageId = "spookyMansion";
 
-				var hallowTex = Paths.getSparrowAtlas('halloween_bg');
+				// TODO: Move lightning strike behavior to a scripted class extending Stage.
+				loadStage(curStageId);
 
-				halloweenBG = new FlxSprite(-200, -100);
-				halloweenBG.frames = hallowTex;
-				halloweenBG.animation.addByPrefix('idle', 'halloweem bg0');
-				halloweenBG.animation.addByPrefix('lightning', 'halloweem bg lightning strike', 24, false);
-				halloweenBG.animation.play('idle');
-				halloweenBG.antialiasing = true;
-				add(halloweenBG);
-
-				isHalloween = true;
 			case 'pico' | 'blammed' | 'philly':
-				curStage = 'philly';
+				curStageId = 'philly';
 
 				var bg:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite(-100).loadGraphic(Paths.image('philly/sky'));
 				bg.scrollFactor.set(0.1, 0.1);
@@ -448,7 +439,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				var street:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite(-40, streetBehind.y).loadGraphic(Paths.image('philly/street'));
 				add(street);
 			case "milf" | 'satin-panties' | 'high':
-				curStage = 'limo';
+				curStageId = 'limo';
 				defaultCamZoom *= 0.90;
 
 				var skyBG:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite(-120, -50).loadGraphic(Paths.image('limo/limoSunset'));
@@ -496,7 +487,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				fastCar = new FlxSprite(-300, 160).loadGraphic(Paths.image('limo/fastCarLol'));
 			// add(limo);
 			case "cocoa" | 'eggnog':
-				curStage = 'mall';
+				curStageId = 'mall';
 
 				defaultCamZoom *= 0.80;
 
@@ -550,9 +541,9 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				santa.antialiasing = true;
 				add(santa);
 			case 'winter-horrorland':
-				loadStage('mallEvil');
+				loadStageOld('mallEvil');
 			case 'senpai' | 'roses':
-				curStage = 'school';
+				curStageId = 'school';
 
 				// defaultCamZoom *= 0.9;
 
@@ -618,7 +609,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				add(bgGirls);
 			case 'thorns':
 				// loadStage('schoolEvil');
-				curStage = 'schoolEvil';
+				curStageId = 'schoolEvil';
 
 				var schoolBG:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite(-200, 0).loadGraphic(Paths.image('weeb/evilSchoolBG'));
 				wiggleShit.waveAmplitude = 0.017;
@@ -639,9 +630,8 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				schoolFront.setGraphicSize(Std.int(schoolFront.width * 6));
 				schoolFront.updateHitbox();
 				add(schoolFront);
-
 			case 'guns' | 'stress' | 'ugh':
-				loadStage('tank');
+				loadStageOld('tank');
 
 				// this goes after tankSky and before tankMountains in stage file
 				// need to accomodate for the velocity thing!
@@ -687,12 +677,10 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 
 				var fgTank3:BGSprite = new BGSprite('tank3', 1300, 1200, 3.5, 2.5, ['fg']);
 				foregroundSprites.add(fgTank3);
-
 			case "darnell":
-				loadStage('phillyStreets');
-
+				loadStageOld('phillyStreets');
 			default:
-				loadStage('stage');
+				loadStageOld('stage');
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -701,7 +689,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		// all dis is shitty, redo later for stage shit
 		var gfVersion:String = 'gf';
 
-		switch (curStage)
+		switch (curStageId)
 		{
 			case 'limo':
 				gfVersion = 'gf-car';
@@ -790,7 +778,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		boyfriend = new Boyfriend(770, 450, SONG.player1);
 
 		// REPOSITIONING PER STAGE
-		switch (curStage)
+		switch (curStageId)
 		{
 			case 'limo':
 				boyfriend.y -= 220;
@@ -838,20 +826,31 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				dad.y = 870 - dad.height;
 		}
 
-		add(gf);
+		if (curStage != null)
+		{
+			// We're using Eric's stage handler.
+			// Characters get added to the stage, not the main scene.
+			curStage.addCharacter(boyfriend, BF);
+			curStage.addCharacter(gf, GF);
+			curStage.addCharacter(dad, DAD);
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			add(gf);
 
-		gfCutsceneLayer = new FlxGroup();
-		add(gfCutsceneLayer);
+			gfCutsceneLayer = new FlxGroup();
+			add(gfCutsceneLayer);
 
-		bfTankCutsceneLayer = new FlxGroup();
-		add(bfTankCutsceneLayer);
+			bfTankCutsceneLayer = new FlxGroup();
+			add(bfTankCutsceneLayer);
 
-		// Shitty layering but whatev it works LOL
-		if (curStage == 'limo')
-			add(limo);
+			// Shitty layering but whatev it works LOL
+			if (curStageId == 'limo')
+				add(limo);
 
-		add(dad);
-		add(boyfriend);
+			add(dad);
+			add(boyfriend);
+		}
 	}
 
 	function ughIntro()
@@ -940,11 +939,35 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		});*/
 	}
 
-	function loadStage(path:String)
-	{
-		curStage = path;
+	public var curStage:Stage;
 
-		var json = Assets.getText(Paths.file('data/stagedata/' + curStage + 'Stage.json'));
+	/**
+	 * Loads stage data from cache, assembles the props,
+	 * and adds it to the state.
+	 * @param id 
+	 */
+	function loadStage(id:String)
+	{
+		curStage = StageDataParser.fetchStage(id);
+
+		if (curStage != null)
+		{
+			// Actually create and position the sprites.
+			curStage.buildStage();
+
+			// Apply camera zoom.
+			defaultCamZoom *= curStage.camZoom;
+
+			// Add the stage to the scene.
+			this.add(curStage);
+		}
+	}
+
+	function loadStageOld(path:String)
+	{
+		curStageId = path;
+
+		var json = Assets.getText(Paths.file('data/stagedata/${curStageId}Stage.json'));
 
 		var parsed:StageData = cast Json.parse(json);
 
@@ -1464,7 +1487,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 			var introSprPaths:Array<String> = ["ready", "set", "go"];
 			var altSuffix:String = "";
 
-			if (curStage.startsWith("school"))
+			if (curStageId.startsWith("school"))
 			{
 				altSuffix = '-pixel';
 				introSprPaths = ['weeb/pixelUI/ready-pixel', 'weeb/pixelUI/set-pixel', 'weeb/pixelUI/date-pixel'];
@@ -1500,7 +1523,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		var spr:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite().loadGraphic(Paths.image(path));
 		spr.scrollFactor.set();
 
-		if (curStage.startsWith('school'))
+		if (curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 			spr.setGraphicSize(Std.int(spr.width * daPixelZoom));
 
 		spr.updateHitbox();
@@ -1673,7 +1696,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 			babyArrow.shader = colorswap.shader;
 			colorswap.update(Note.arrowColors[i]);
 
-			switch (curStage)
+			switch (curStageId)
 			{
 				case 'school' | 'schoolEvil':
 					babyArrow.loadGraphic(Paths.image('weeb/pixelUI/arrows-pixels'), true, 17, 17);
@@ -1943,7 +1966,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 			// Conductor.lastSongPos = FlxG.sound.music.time;
 		}
 
-		switch (curStage)
+		switch (curStageId)
 		{
 			case 'philly':
 				if (trainMoving)
@@ -2498,7 +2521,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		{
 			camFollow.setPosition(boyfriend.getMidpoint().x - 100, boyfriend.getMidpoint().y - 100);
 
-			switch (curStage)
+			switch (curStageId)
 			{
 				case 'limo':
 					camFollow.x = boyfriend.getMidpoint().x - 300;
@@ -2684,7 +2707,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 			if (!holdArray[spr.ID])
 				spr.animation.play('static');
 
-			if (spr.animation.curAnim.name == 'confirm' && !curStage.startsWith('school'))
+			if (spr.animation.curAnim.name == 'confirm' && !curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 			{
 				spr.centerOffsets();
 				spr.offset.x -= 13;
@@ -2695,10 +2718,17 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		});
 	}
 
-	override function switchTo(nextState:FlxState):Bool
+	function performCleanup()
 	{
 		openfl.utils.Assets.cache.clear(Paths.inst(SONG.song));
 		openfl.utils.Assets.cache.clear(Paths.voices(SONG.song));
+		curStage.cleanup();
+		curStage = null;
+	}
+
+	override function switchTo(nextState:FlxState):Bool
+	{
+		performCleanup();
 
 		return super.switchTo(nextState);
 	}
@@ -3002,7 +3032,7 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 		});
 
 		// boppin friends
-		switch (curStage)
+		switch (curStageId)
 		{
 			case 'school':
 				bgGirls.dance();
@@ -3048,10 +3078,10 @@ class PlayState extends MusicBeatState
 				tankWatchtower.dance();
 		}
 
-		if (isHalloween && FlxG.random.bool(10) && curBeat > lightningStrikeBeat + lightningOffset)
-		{
-			lightningStrikeShit();
-		}
+		// if (isHalloween && FlxG.random.bool(10) && curBeat > lightningStrikeBeat + lightningOffset)
+		// {
+		//	lightningStrikeShit();
+		// }
 	}
 
 	var curLight:Int = 0;
diff --git a/source/SongLoad.hx b/source/SongLoad.hx
index c5d694220..179857065 100644
--- a/source/SongLoad.hx
+++ b/source/SongLoad.hx
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class SongLoad
 
 	public static function loadFromJson(jsonInput:String, ?folder:String):SwagSong
 	{
-		var rawJson = Assets.getText(Paths.json(folder.toLowerCase() + '/' + jsonInput.toLowerCase())).trim();
+		var rawJson = Assets.getText(Paths.json('songs/${folder.toLowerCase()}/${jsonInput.toLowerCase()}')).trim();
 
 		while (!rawJson.endsWith("}"))
 		{
diff --git a/source/play/stage/Stage.hx b/source/play/stage/Stage.hx
index b612a97d0..b6960f5c9 100644
--- a/source/play/stage/Stage.hx
+++ b/source/play/stage/Stage.hx
@@ -1,9 +1,164 @@
 package play.stage;
 
 import flixel.FlxObject;
-import flixel.group.FlxGroup.FlxTypedGroup;
+import flixel.FlxSprite;
+import flixel.group.FlxSpriteGroup;
+import flixel.util.FlxSort;
+import modding.IHook;
+import play.character.Character.CharacterType;
+import play.stage.StageData.StageDataParser;
+import util.SortUtil;
 
 /**
- * A Stage is a group of objects.
+ * A Stage is a group of objects rendered in the PlayState.
+ * 
+ * A Stage is comprised of one or more props, each of which is a FlxSprite.
  */
-class Stage extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxObject> {}
+class Stage extends FlxSpriteGroup implements IHook
+{
+	public final stageId:String;
+	public final stageName:String;
+
+	final _data:StageData;
+
+	public var camZoom:Float = 1.0;
+
+	var namedProps:Map<String, FlxObject> = new Map<String, FlxObject>();
+	var characters:Map<String, Character> = new Map<String, Character>();
+
+	/**
+	 * The Stage elements get initialized at the beginning of the game.
+	 * They're used to cache the data needed to build the stage,
+	 * then accessed and fleshed out when the stage needs to be built.
+	 * 
+	 * @param stageId 
+	 */
+	public function new(stageId:String)
+	{
+		super();
+
+		this.stageId = stageId;
+		_data = StageDataParser.parseStageData(this.stageId);
+		this.stageName = _data.name;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * The default stage construction routine. Called when the stage is going to be played in.
+	 * Instantiates each prop and adds it to the stage, while setting its parameters.
+	 */
+	public function buildStage()
+	{
+		trace('Building stage for display: ${this.stageId}');
+
+		this.camZoom = _data.cameraZoom;
+
+		for (dataProp in _data.props)
+		{
+			trace('  Placing prop: ${dataProp.name} (${dataProp.assetPath})');
+			var imagePath = Paths.image(dataProp.assetPath);
+			var propSprite = new FlxSprite().loadGraphic(imagePath);
+
+			if (Std.isOfType(dataProp.scale, Array))
+			{
+				propSprite.scale.set(dataProp.scale[0], dataProp.scale[1]);
+			}
+			else
+			{
+				propSprite.scale.set(dataProp.scale);
+			}
+			propSprite.updateHitbox();
+
+			propSprite.x = dataProp.position[0];
+			propSprite.y = dataProp.position[1];
+
+			propSprite.scrollFactor.x = dataProp.scroll[0];
+			propSprite.scrollFactor.y = dataProp.scroll[1];
+
+			propSprite.zIndex = dataProp.zIndex;
+
+			for (propAnim in dataProp.animations)
+			{
+				propSprite.animation.addByPrefix(propAnim.name, propAnim.prefix, propAnim.frameRate, propAnim.loop);
+			}
+
+			if (dataProp.startingAnimation != null)
+			{
+				propSprite.animation.play(dataProp.startingAnimation);
+			}
+
+			if (dataProp.name != null)
+			{
+				namedProps.set(dataProp.name, propSprite);
+			}
+
+			trace('    Prop placed.');
+			this.add(propSprite);
+		}
+
+		this.refresh();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Refreshes the stage, by redoing the render order of all props.
+	 * It does this based on the `zIndex` of each prop.
+	 */
+	public function refresh()
+	{
+		sort(SortUtil.byZIndex, FlxSort.ASCENDING);
+	}
+
+	public function addCharacter(character:Character, charType:CharacterType)
+	{
+		// Apply position and z-index.
+		switch (charType)
+		{
+			case BF:
+				this.characters.set("bf", character);
+				character.zIndex = _data.characters.bf.zIndex;
+				character.x = _data.characters.bf.position[0];
+				character.y = _data.characters.bf.position[1];
+			case GF:
+				this.characters.set("gf", character);
+				character.zIndex = _data.characters.gf.zIndex;
+				character.x = _data.characters.gf.position[0];
+				character.y = _data.characters.gf.position[1];
+			case DAD:
+				this.characters.set("dad", character);
+				character.zIndex = _data.characters.dad.zIndex;
+				character.x = _data.characters.dad.position[0];
+				character.y = _data.characters.dad.position[1];
+			default:
+				this.characters.set(character.curCharacter, character);
+		}
+
+		// Add the character to the scene.
+		this.add(character);
+	}
+
+	public function getCharacter(id:String):Character
+	{
+		return this.characters.get(id);
+	}
+
+	public function getBoyfriend():Character
+	{
+		return this.characters.get("bf");
+	}
+
+	public function getGirlfriend():Character
+	{
+		return this.characters.get("gf");
+	}
+
+	public function getDad():Character
+	{
+		return this.characters.get("dad");
+	}
+
+	public function cleanup()
+	{
+		this.clear();
+		namedProps.clear();
+		characters.clear();
+	}
+}
diff --git a/source/ui/PopUpStuff.hx b/source/ui/PopUpStuff.hx
index eeef727f1..a28c8f0cb 100644
--- a/source/ui/PopUpStuff.hx
+++ b/source/ui/PopUpStuff.hx
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class PopUpStuff extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxSprite>
 		var rating:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite();
 		var ratingPath:String = daRating;
 
-		if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+		if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 			ratingPath = "weeb/pixelUI/" + ratingPath + "-pixel";
 
 		rating.loadGraphic(Paths.image(ratingPath));
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class PopUpStuff extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxSprite>
 
 		add(rating);
 
-		if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+		if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 		{
 			rating.setGraphicSize(Std.int(rating.width * PlayState.daPixelZoom * 0.7));
 		}
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class PopUpStuff extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxSprite>
 		var pixelShitPart1:String = "";
 		var pixelShitPart2:String = '';
 
-		if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+		if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 		{
 			pixelShitPart1 = 'weeb/pixelUI/';
 			pixelShitPart2 = '-pixel';
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class PopUpStuff extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxSprite>
 
 		add(comboSpr);
 
-		if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+		if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 		{
 			comboSpr.setGraphicSize(Std.int(comboSpr.width * PlayState.daPixelZoom * 0.7));
 		}
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ class PopUpStuff extends FlxTypedGroup<FlxSprite>
 			var numScore:FlxSprite = new FlxSprite().loadGraphic(Paths.image(pixelShitPart1 + 'num' + Std.int(i) + pixelShitPart2));
 			numScore.y = comboSpr.y;
 
-			if (PlayState.curStage.startsWith('school'))
+			if (PlayState.curStageId.startsWith('school'))
 			{
 				numScore.setGraphicSize(Std.int(numScore.width * PlayState.daPixelZoom));
 			}
diff --git a/source/util/SortUtil.hx b/source/util/SortUtil.hx
index 0cac21ac8..9b444e42c 100644
--- a/source/util/SortUtil.hx
+++ b/source/util/SortUtil.hx
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 package util;
 
+#if !macro
 import flixel.group.FlxGroup.FlxTypedGroup;
 import flixel.util.FlxSort;
 import flixel.FlxObject;
+#end
 
 class SortUtil
 {
@@ -14,13 +16,4 @@ class SortUtil
 	{
 		return FlxSort.byValues(Order, Obj1.zIndex, Obj2.zIndex);
 	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Sorts the element in an FlxTypedGroup by their z-index values.
-	 * @param group The group to sort.
-	 */
-	public static inline function sortByZIndex(group:FlxTypedGroup<FlxObject>)
-	{
-		group.sort(byZIndex, FlxSort.ASCENDING);
-	}
 }