STAGE DIRECTIONS & PARTS OF THE STAGE

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Without STAGE DIRECTIONS, things could get really confusing. Move a little to the left. Does he mean MY left or HIS left?

To simplify things, we use STAGE DIRECTIONS

AUDIENCE STAGE RIGHT UP STAGE CENTER STAGE DOWN STAGE Pg 23…Write Stage Right on top and Definition under tab STAGE RIGHT The side of the stage to the ACTOR’S RIGHT when he/she is facing the audience. AUDIENCE UP STAGE CENTER STAGE DOWN STAGE

AUDIENCE STAGE STAGE RIGHT LEFT Pg 23…Write Stage Left on top and Definition under tab The side of the stage to the ACTOR’S LEFT when he/she is facing the audience. STAGE RIGHT STAGE LEFT AUDIENCE

This is where we get the terms Stages used to be built on a slope, with the back of the stage higher than the front of the stage. This allowed the audience a better view of the action. SIDE VIEW OF STAGE AUDIENCE This is where we get the terms UPSTAGE and DOWNSTAGE SIDE VIEW OF STAGE

Area of the stage farthest away from the audience. UP STAGE Pg 23…Write Upstage on top and Definition under tab Area of the stage farthest away from the audience. AUDIENCE

Area of the stage closest to the audience Pg 23…Write Downstage on top and Definition under tab Area of the stage closest to the audience DOWN STAGE AUDIENCE

STAGE RIGHT UP STAGE CENTER STAGE STAGE LEFT CENTER STAGE DOWN STAGE

The stage can be broken up into 9 areas.

Pg 22. Fill in grid AUDIENCE

PARTS OF THE STAGE

BACK WALL– Wall opposite the proscenium opening. Pg 22 Draw this on Stage. Write Definition 1). Back wall - BACK WALL– Wall opposite the proscenium opening. AUDIENCE

Pg 22 Draw this on Stage. Write Definition 2). Apron- APRON – narrow acting area between the front edge of the stage and the front curtain. Usually 5-15 feet in front of the proscenium. APRON AUDIENCE

STAGE APRON

WINGS – backstage areas on the left and right of a proscenium stage. Pg 22 Draw this by the Stage. Write Definition 3). Wings- STAGE RIGHT WINGS STAGE LEFT WINGS WINGS – backstage areas on the left and right of a proscenium stage. AUDIENCE

A VIEW FROM STAGE LEFT WINGS

Pg 22 Draw this by Stage. Write Definition 4). Orchestra Pit - ORCHESTRA PIT The area in a theater (usually located in a lowered area in front of the stage) in which musicians perform.

5. TRAP DOOR– an opening in the stage floor. 6. TRAP ROOM- a large open space under the stage of many large theatres. Usually unfinished Often doubles as storage area Can act as a cross over (to get from one side of the stage to the other.)

HOUSE Any area of the theatre that isn’t the stage or backstage. Includes where the audience is seated, the lobby, aisles, control booth, coat check, ticketing counters, and restrooms

FLY LOFT Area directly above the stage. Allows scenery to be raised out of sight.

GRID IRON (or GRID) Framework of beams above the stage; supports riggings for flying scenery.

Long pipes from which curtains, lights or flats are hung. BATTEN Long pipes from which curtains, lights or flats are hung.

Sight lines Area of the stage the audience can see

Cat Walks Area above the house and stage where technicians can walk.

Booth Where light and sounds technicians sit and operate.

Green Room Room where the actors sit and wait

Scene Shop Where all the sets and props are made