Stage Directions Q&A
TRUE OR FALSE: Downstage is furthest from the audience.
WHAT IS... False? (Downstage is closest from the audience)
What is a script?
WHAT IS... an informational book for actors that include instructions on what to say, who's saying it, and what to do.
What general stage direction is the group of purple dots on carpet one? (The dots closest to Ms. Phillips' desk)
WHAT IS... Stage Right?
What is the floating seating area above the lower level audience called? (Hint: It starts with an M)
WHAT IS... the mezzanine?
TRUE OR FALSE: The 'House' sits in the audience?
TRUE OR FALSE: Upstage is closest to the audience.
WHAT IS... FALSE (Upstage is the furthest from the audience)
What is a playbill?
WHAT IS... An informational booklet given at the beginning of a performance that includes information about the show you are about to see including headshots of actors, a list of musical numbers, a list of people who worked on the show, as well as biographies.
What general stage direction is the group of red dots in the middle of both carpets?
WHAT IS... Center Stage?
Why do we call it 'downstage' and 'upstage'? (hint: think historically about theatre setups)
WHAT IS... Because stages used to be slanted, so downstage was literally 'down' and upstage was literally 'up'?
What is included in the 'House'?
WHAT IS... Seating for the audience, aisles, balconies, box seats, the mezzanine (anywhere in the theatre that audiences watch from)
TRUE OR FALSE: CENTERSTAGE is equal distance between Downstage, Upstage, Stage Right, and Stage Left.
WHAT IS... True?
What do we call the special picture actors use of themselves that feature just their head and shoulders and is often seen in playbills?
WHAT IS... an headshot?
What general stage direction is the group of dots closest to the whiteboard called?
WHAT IS... Upstage?
What are the special seats that are placed up and to the side that people pay extra for called? (hint: they look like a tiny balcony)
WHAT IS... boxes/box seats?
If someone asks you, 'How's the house tonight?', what are they actually asking you?
WHAT IS... 'How is the energy of the audience tonight?'
Are the wings on the side of the stage called:
A) Downstage and Upstage Wings
B) Stage Right and Stage Left Wings
WHAT IS... B) Stage Right and Stage Left Wings.
Is the following considered 'Setting' or 'Stage Directions':
(Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table. The music ends, and after a moment, Algernon enters)
WHAT IS... Stage Directions?
What specific stage direction is the purple dot on carpet one closest to the whiteboard?
WHAT IS... Upstage Left?
What is the main difference between watching a movie and a live performance?
WHAT IS... The actors in a live performance are actually in the room with you, therefore there is an exchange of energy between the audience and actors.
Decode this Stage Direction shorthand:
Ent CSL x C x DSC x USL x DSR x DSL Ex CSL
WHAT IS... Enter Stage Left, cross to Center Stage, cross to Downstage Center, cross to Upstage Left, cross to Downstage Right, cross to Downstage Left, Exit Stage Left?
Which part of the stage is closest to the 'Apron'?
WHAT IS... Downstage?
What are the following stage directions indicating for the actor. HICCUP: (sarcastically)
A) Movement
B) Tone
C) Line
WHAT IS... B) Tone?
What is the specific stage direction for the red do closest to the TV on carpet 2?
WHAT IS... Downstage Center?
What are the 'wings' in a theatre used for?
WHAT IS... a waiting area for actors about to enter the stage where they cannot be seen?
How would you shorthand these stage directions?
Enter Stage right, cross to Center Stage, cross to Upstage Left, Cross to Downstage Left, Cross to Downstage Center, Exit Stage Left.
WHAT IS... Ent SR x CS x UL x DL x DC Ex SL?