Stage Directions Basics
This stage direction means moving closer to the audience.
What is downstage?
The front left corner of the stage (from the actor’s perspective).
What is downstage left?
When an actor crosses from one side of the stage to the other.
What is a cross (X)?
The areas to the sides of the stage, hidden from the audience.
What are the wings
This acting position faces the audience directly.
What is full front
This is the actor’s right-hand side while facing the audience.
What is stage right?
The back right corner of the stage (from the actor’s perspective).
What is upstage right?
This term is used when an actor turns their body slightly toward the audience
What is cheating out?
The area behind the stage used for scenery, actors, and crew
This position has the actor’s back completely to the audience.
What is full back
The area farthest from the audience.
What is upstage?
The exact middle of the back of the stage.
What is upstage center?
A movement used to subtly shift stage balance when another actor moves.
What is a counter-cross?
The backstage room where actors wait until they are called to the stage.
What is the greenroom
This position is when the actor is turned directly sideways.
What is profile
This stage direction means moving toward the side of the stage.
What is stage left or stage right?
The area between downstage right and upstage right.
What is stage right?
A deliberate freeze in action, often at the end of a scene.
What is a stage picture or tableau?
The place where the audience sits
What is the house
An actor turns slightly toward the audience to stay visible.
What is a quarter turn
This is the center point on the stage where up/down and left/right meet.
What is center stage?
The area between downstage center and upstage center.
What is center stage?
The practice of giving attention and focus to the actor speaking.
What is giving focus (or sharing focus)?
The front edge of the stage,closest to the audience
What is the apron
An actor is mostly turned away from the audience, but not fully.
What is a three quarter turn