THIS IS A TWO PAGES DISCUSSION

Stage Areas for a Proscenium or Thrust State (using the 9-areas model)

NOTICE THAT THE STAGE AREAS ARE FROM THE ACTOR’S POINT OF VIEW. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS BECAUSE THE ACTOR NEEDS TO USE THIS TERMINOLOGY TO IDENTIFY WHERE HE/SHE IS BEING ASKED TO STAND OR MOVE. BECAUSE THE ACTOR’S POINT OF VIEW IS MOST IMPORTANT, THE OTHER STAFF MEMBERS (DIRECTOR, SCENIC DESIGNER, LIGHTING DESIGNER, PROP MASTER, CHOREOGRAPHER, STAGE CREW) MUST ADJUST TO USING THIS SAME AREA NOTATION, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A REVERSAL OF WHAT THE STAFF SEES AS THEY SIT IN THE AUDIENCE (OR IN THE LIGHTING BOOTH) DURING REHEARSALS. NOTE THAT THERE ARE ALSO MORE DETAILED AREA IDENTIFICATION (e.g. a 15-area model) AND THAT SOMETIMES THE STAGE RIGHT AND STAGE LEFT DESIGNATIONS ARE GIVEN OTHER NAMES (RC & LC). ALSO, ARENA STAGES DO NOT USE THESE TERMS SINCE THERE IS NO DOWNSTAGE OR UPSTAGE WHEN THE AUDIENCE IS SEATED ON ALL SIDES OF THE STAGE.