Stage Directions

When working in a production environment, physical directions--where something is to move or be placed on stage--are given based on an age-old model known as "stage directions." They include:

Stage Left and Stage Right. The left and right side of the stage from the actor's or speaker's point of view, facing out to the audience. Stage Left and Stage Right, as opposed to just "left" or "right" are used to define areas of the stage so that there is absolutely no confusion as to where something or someone is to be placed.

Downstage. The area of the stage closest to the audience. The term comes from the original Elizabethan theater of Shakespeare's time, where the stage was actually tilted down toward the front and up in the back to afford better viewing angles by the audience.

Upstage. The area of the stage farthest from the audience.

Front of House. The area of the theater or venue that is visible to the audience. This includes seating and the lobby areas.