upstage

Upstage is a term used in theatre to designate the area of a stage farthest from the audience. It can function as a noun to describe that part of the stage, and as a verb meaning to move toward that rear area or to steal attention from another performer by doing so. In contemporary usage, performers can be said to upstage someone when they draw attention away from a scene partner, sometimes by stepping upstage or executing a more dramatic action.

The stage is traditionally divided into upstage and downstage directions, with upstage referring to the area away from the audience and downstage toward it. Within that frame, actors may describe positions as upstage left, upstage center, upstage right, as well as downstage left, center, and right. Historical stage design often involved a raked (sloped) stage, where moving toward the back physically meant moving “upstage.”

Upstaging, in practical terms, is related to blocking and actor presence. While deliberate upstaging can be a strategic choice to emphasize a moment, it is frequently viewed as poor form if it disrupts ensemble balance or detracts from another actor’s moment. In modern rehearsal practice, directors and actors aim to coordinate movements to maintain focus and ensure clear storytelling rather than rely on attention-grabbing misdirection.

See also: stage directions, blocking, stagecraft, downstage, upstage left/right/center.