ROMEO AND JULIET: The Stage
Name: ____________________
Mr. Irwin, Ninth Grade English
Part of what makes drama such a unique and inviting genre within literature is the technicality of the staging and
stage directions. This handout will familiarize you with some of the basic forms and spaces associated with the
physical theatre.
Part I: Theatre Types
The most common form of theatre is the proscenium theatre. Proscenium theatres are relatively basic in their design;
the audience faces head-on a stage, often with a functioning curtain, that is “framed” by an arch or other structural
element. Figure A below is an example of a proscenium stage; McGuire Hall is also a fine example. Such stages, as
illustrated in Figure B, include five parts:
 an apron that protrudes outward towards the audience and can be seen when the curtain is closed;
 two wings (one to the left and right) that are unseen by the audience and from which actors enter and exit;
 the stage viewed by the audience on which the action of the play takes place; and
 a rear wall or curtain that provides a backstop for the action.
Wall or Curtain
Wing
SR
Stage
Wing
SL
Apron
Figure A
Figure B
In reference to such a stage, it is important to remember the following points:
 onstage refers to the acting area within the set and is visible to the audience;
 offstage references the parts of the stage not enclosed by the setting;
 backstage is the area behind the setting; and
 outfront, or the house, is the auditorium where the audience sits.
Other types of theatres include:
 alley theatre: the stage is surrounded on two sides by the audience.
 thrust: the stage is surrounded on three sides (or 270˚) by audience; can be modification of proscenium
staging; ometimes known as "three quarter round".
 theatre in the round: the stage is surrounded by audience on all sides.
 site-specific theatre (a.k.a. environmental theatre): the stage and audience either blend together, or are in
numerous or oddly shaped sections; includes any form of staging that is not easily classifiable under the
above categories.
 black box theatre: the black box theatre is a relatively recent innovation consisting of a large square room
with black walls and a flat floor; the seating is typically composed of loose chairs on platforms, which can
be easily moved or removed to allow the entire space to be adapted to the artistic elements of a production.
Part II: Stage Areas
Generally, a stage is divided into either nine or fifteen segments. For a fifteen-square grid, the stage areas include:
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right (R)
center (C)
left (L)
upstage center (UC)
downstage center (DC)
center right (CR)
center left (CL)

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downstage right (DR)
upstage right (UR)
downstage left (DL)
upstage left (UL)
downstage center right
(DCR)
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downstage center left
(DCL)
upstage center right
(UCR)
upstage center left
(UCL).
Simplified nine-square grids exclude CR, CL, DCR, DCL, UCR, and UCL.
↑curtain line ↑
audience
The following points are important to remember when reading stage directions or planning to stage a production.
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Stage directions always apply to the actor as he faces the audience. For example, “stage right” or “R” is to
the actor’s right as he faces the audience; “downstage” or “D” is always nearest the audience.
Each broad area of the stage (downstage, center stage, upstage) is called a plane. The downstage plane is
stronger than the upstage plane because the actors are closer to the audience. In fact, the term “upstaging”
comes from the theatre, wherein a stronger actor is moved upstage (towards the weaker position) and forces
the lesser actors to turn their backs three-quarters towards the audience. This focuses attention on the
upstage actor even if he should not receive emphasis.
Stage right is stronger than stage left because the audience is conditioned to look from left to right in
reading and carries this habit into all observations. (audience left = stage right) Because of the strength of
downstage and stage right, important scenes will often be played there.
Sources
“Proscenium.” Wikipedia. 7 Feb. 2003. 12 Jan. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proscenium>.
Tanner, Fran Averett. “Following Stage Directions.” Basic Drama Projects. Caldwell, Idaho: Clark Publishing
Company, 1977. 43-45.
Image taken from Gutenberg.org on 12 Jan. 2010.