What stage originated the terms upstage and downstage?

What stage originated the terms upstage and downstage?

Upstage and downstage are terms that date from the Renaissance, when the stage floor was built on a rake, or slope, to aid audience sight-lines and the illusion of perspective painted on the scenery.

Where does the term downstage come from?

The term downstage originates from when stages were sloped or raked downwards towards the audience to improve sightlines . The four corners of the stage space combine both the right and the left with downstage and upstage, creating: downstage right.

What is the origin of the term upstage?

upstage (adv.) 1855 in theatrical jargon, “to the rear of the stage,” from up (adv.) + stage (n.). From 1901 as an adjective, 1916 as a noun. The notion in the verb (1921) is of drawing attention to oneself (and away from a fellow actor) by moving upstage, so that the other actor must face away from the audience.

How was upstage and downstage created?

Thus, when actors were directed to move away from the audience, they were literally walking up an incline, or, in other words, they walked “upstage.” Similarly, to move toward the audience the actor would proceed down an incline or, “downstage” as it came to be known.

Why is the stage divided into upstage and downstage?

Proscenium stages are divided into acting areas. The terms downstage and upstage come from the days when the rear of the stage was tilted, or raked, upward and away from the audience.

What splits upstage from downstage?

The plaster line is the imaginary line that travels downstage and upstage, dividing the stage in half.

Why do we call it upstage and downstage?

On a raked stage an actor who is farther from the audience is higher than an actor who is closer to the audience. This led to the theatre positions “upstage” and “downstage”, meaning, respectively, farther from or closer to the audience.

Where is upstage located?

Upstage: The area of the stage furthest from the audience. Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience. Stage Left: The area of the stage to the performer’s left, when facing downstage (i.e. towards the audience).

What does upstage refer to?

1 : toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage. 2 : away from a motion-picture or television camera. upstage.

Why is upstage called upstage and downstage called downstage don’t just write the word define it !)?

So when the actors walked towards the audience, they were literally walking down hill (down the stage) and when the actors walked away from the audience, towards the back wall of the stage, they were literally walking up hill (up the stage). Hence the terms upstage and downstage. Short for draperies.

Where is upstage right on a stage?

An actor who turns to his or her right is moving stage right, while an actor who turns to his or her left is moving stage left. The front of the stage, called downstage, is the end closest to the audience. The rear of the stage, called upstage, is behind the actor’s back, furthest from the audience.

Where is downstage located?

Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience. Stage Left: The area of the stage to the performer’s left, when facing downstage (i.e. towards the audience).

Where did the term upstage and Downstage come from?

These terms come from the structure of stages in the Middle Ages and early modern period, which were built on an upward slope away from the audience to improve viewer visibility. “Upstage” refers to the section of the stage that was higher, while “downstage” refers to the area that was lower.

Which is closer to the audience upstage or downstage?

The front of the stage, called downstage, is the end closest to the audience. The rear of the stage, called upstage, is behind the actor’s back, furthest from the audience.

Where is the rear of the stage located?

The rear of the stage, called upstage, is behind the actor’s back, furthest from the audience. These terms come from the structure of stages in the Middle Ages and early modern period, which were built on an upward slope away from the audience to improve viewer visibility.

What’s the difference between stage left and stage right?

The terms “stage right” and “stage left” are pretty self explanatory. It refers to the actor’s right or left as they are standing on the stage and facing the audience. The terms “Upstage” and “Downstage,” on the other hand, require a bit more clarification.