STAG I N G M O DA LI T I E S A N D

EN V IS I ON I NG T H E S C RI PT
F E REN T TYPES OF STA GE
DIF
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WHAT IS STAGING
Position of the acting area in relation to the audience
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The process of selecting, designing, adapting to, or

modifying the performance space for a play or film

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ACTING AREA
AREAS OF THE STAGE
UPSTAGE
It is the area that is considered the furthest from
the audience. The upstage is divided into upstage
right (USR), upstage center (USC), and upstage
left (USL).
ACTING AREA/CENTER STAGE (CS)
This is the location where the actors are expected to
perform and where much of the set is placed.
DOWNSTAGE
It is the area that is considered the closest to the audience.
The downstage is divided into downstage right (DSR),
downstage center (DSC), and downstage left (DSL).
CROSS OVER
This area is utilized by the performers as they travel
from the left side to the right side, the stage hands and
the technicians which is purposely concealed from the
audiences’ sight.
STAGE RIGHT(SR) AND STAGE LEFT(SL)
This is the area to the left and right of the performers (audience’s
right and left respectively) where it may be utilized as the
performers’ acting area if the need arises. It also has off right and off
left which may serve as points for the entrance and exit of the
performers when they need to. Both the off right and off left are
hidden from the audience.
MAJOR TYPES OF STAGE
PROSCENIUM STAGE

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PROS
Sight lines are excellent and work is easy to stage
CONS
The audience can feel quite removed from the action.
THRUST STAGE

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PROS
The audience feel included and an intimate atmosphere is
created. having one end which is visible to all provides a
‘back’ to the stage.
CONS
Sight lines can still be an issue.
TRAVERSE STAGE
PROS

This style of staging is that it is intimate

staging and allows the actors to use the audience
FOR EFFECT.
CONS

The opposing sides of the audience might see

two entirely different shows and sight lines are
still an issue.
ROUND/IN-THE-ROUND STAGE
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PRODUCTION
• Scenery that does not obscure actors and the rest of the stage from parts of the audience.
• Backdrops and curtains cannot be used, thus the director must find other ways to set the scene.
• Lighting design is more difficult than for a proscenium stage, since the actor must be lit from all
sides without blinding nearby audience members.

• Entrances and exits must be made either through the audience, making surprise entrances very
difficult, or via closed-off walkways, which must be inconspicuous. as a result, stage entrances
are normally in the corners of the theatre.

• The actors need to ensure that they do not have their backs turned to any part of the audience for
long periods of time, in order to be seen and heard clearly.
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF STAGE
IN DRAMA?
 Tells the flow of the play and how it will be
presented aside from its dialogue
Brings the characters to life
STEPS IN WRITING A PLAY (ADAMS:2014)

•Create an interesting plot

•Decide on your structure
•Decide how you want it to look
•Know your audience
•Create interesting characters
VISUAL DETAILS INVOLVED IN DRAMA
BLOCKING
SCENIC BACKGROUND
STAGE DIRECTIONS
SOUND EFFECTS
A sound recorded and presented to make a
specific storytelling or creative point without
the use of dialogue or music.