Theater Terminology

Front

Upstage

Back

The area of the stage furthest from the audience.

Front

Downstage

Back

The area of the stage closest to the audience.

Front

Stage Directions

Back

Instructions for movement and positioning on stage.

Front

Blocking

Back

The precise staging of actors to facilitate the performance.

Front

Props and Chattels

Back

Items used on stage by actors during a performance.

Front

Offstage

Back

The areas of the stage not visible to the audience.

Front

Aside

Back

A remark made by a character intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters.

Front

Cue

Back

A signal for an actor to begin their lines or actions.

Front

Dramatic Pause

Back

A deliberate pause in dialogue for effect.

Front

Dialogue

Back

The spoken exchanges between characters.