All stages can be divided into areas and defined as follows:-

• Up-stage is away from the audience.

• Down-stage is towards the audience.

These terms originate from raked Stages where the stage literally slopes 'down' towards the audience and conversely rises 'up' to the rear of the stage.

Standing on the stage, facing the audience:

• Stage Left (SL) is to left-hand side.

• Stage Right (SR) is to right-hand side.

• Of course, Centre Stage (CS) is the centre of the stage.

SL and SR are always given in this manner, regardless of which way the subject is facing. Combined with the vertical directions, more precise locations can be given. For example: Down-stage left (DSL), Down-stage right (DSR), Up-stage left (USL), Up-stage right (USR), Centre-stage left (CSL) or Mid-stage left, Centre-stage right (CSR) or Mid-stage right.

The stage is usually defined in one of two ways: an absolute direction (i.e. "Move down-stage-left") or relative to an object (i.e. "Move to the up-stage-right side of the table"). A further direction is on-stage, meaning to move towards centre, or off-stage, meaning to move away from centre.

SL is sometimes known as Prompt Side (PS), as traditionally the Stage Manager's prompt desk is found on the Stage Left side (Prompt Corner). Thus, SR is traditionally known as Opposite Prompt (OP). Where the Stage Manager's desk is on SR, this is known as a Bastard Prompt.

A picture speaks a thousand words:

Other Definitions

The imaginary line running up-down the centre of stage is called the Centre Line (CL). A second imaginary line running left-right across the downstage edge of the stage is called the Setting Line. This is often not the actual edge of the stage, but either the defined point at which measurements can be taken, or the most downstage point at which scenery can safely be placed (e.g. where the safety curtain falls).

The only other stage direction is for flying movements: "In" means down, into the audience's view. "Out" means up, or out of the audience's view.