Blocking (stage) - Stage Directions

Stage Directions

The stage itself has been given named areas to facilitate blocking.

• The rear of the stage is considered up-stage. This derives from the raked stage, where the stage sloped up away from the audience.
• The front of the stage is down-stage.
• Stage left and right, at least in British and North American theatre, refer to the actor's left and right facing the audience. Because this is sometimes misunderstood, the terms prompt (actor's or stage left) and bastard/opposite prompt (actor's or stage right) are also used. (See also Prompt corner)
• House left and house right refer to how the audience perceives the stage. The audience’s left is referred to as house left, and the audience’s right is referred to as house right. (These may also be called camera left and camera right for a filmed or sometimes unfilmed production or play.)