* Back to Main FAQ Page *

I will be adding to this list frequently, please check back... updated 4/29/2001

In addition to my own writings, this list is, in part, compiled of the observations of many dancers and my 3-year collection of Med-Dance list and personal E-mail on the subject. My thanks goes to all of the contributors, with apologies for any inaccuracies or missquotes.

Q: What do the stage directions Stage Left, Stage Right, Upstage and Downstage mean?

A: Naadhira: Picture yourself standing in the middle of a typical stage, facing the audience.

• Upstage is behind you (toward the back of the stage).
• Downstage is in front of you (toward the audience).
• Stage left is to your left.
• Stage right is to your right.

And the directions don't change when you change the direction you're facing: Now, turn your back to the audience.

• Upstage is in FRONT of you.
• Downstage is BEHIND you.
• Stage left is to your RIGHT.
• Stage right is to your LEFT.

In other words, stage directions are given as if you are always facing the audience. It takes a few mental calisthenics before following these directions becomes second nature. And then you move to theatre-in-the-round and get *really* messed up...

A: Aziza Sa'id: These days, stages are mostly level and audiences are mostly sloped - lowest in the front, highest in the back. This allows all members of the audience to view the stage. At some time in history, it was done the other way, with the audience flat and the stage sloped - lowest in the front, highest in the back - once again allowing all members of the audience a view of what was happening on stage. "Upstage" originally referred to moving up the slope of the stage towards the back, "Downstage" referred to moving down the slope of the stage towards the audience.