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Difficulty: MediumDramatic Irony, Stagecraft, and Conventions

Based on theatrical conventions of stage orientation, which technical terms correctly complete the blanks in the description below?

Answer:In a traditional theater equipped with a raked stage, an actor walking toward the audience to heighten emotional intimacy is moving 【downstage】, whereas moving toward the rear wall away from the audience is known as moving 【upstage】.

Answer

The term for moving toward the audience is downstage, while the term for moving toward the rear of the stage is upstage.
In classical theatrical stagecraft, stage directions originated from raked stages that sloped down toward the audience. Moving toward the audience is therefore called downstage, while moving away toward the back drop is called upstage.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the term for movement toward the front edge of the stage near the audience.
Movement toward the audience is designated as downstage.
Historically, stages were raked (sloped downwards toward the audience), so walking toward the front meant physically walking down the slope.
2
Determine the term for movement toward the back of the stage.
Movement toward the back wall is designated as upstage.
Walking away from the audience meant walking up the incline of the raked stage floor.

Key Concept

Stage Orientation and Raked Stage Terminology
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Dramatic Irony, Stagecraft, and Conventions

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