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In historic times, the back of the stage was raised so that people sould be seen more readily. And since the back of the stage was raised, it became know as upstage. Since the front of the stage was lower than the back it became known as downstage. This can be seen in historical theaters such as the Globe theater.

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Q: Why are stage directions Upstage and Downstage when the stage is flat?
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What does downstage mean?

Currently, stages are flat and the audience area has raised tiers (the seats closest to the stage are lowest, then there is a higher row, and so on. It used to be that the audience area was flat (it might be a field where people just sat on the ground), and the stage sloped upwards towards the back. Downstage is literally towards the audience. Actors, set pieces, or props could be placed downstage (near the audience) initially or can move downstage (move towards the audience from a position more towards the back of the stage). The term "upstage" can mean to take the focus away from someone. If an actor is speaking to another actor on stage, and the first actor is downstage of the second one, the first actor has to turn her or his back to the audience to address the person "upstage" of them. So, when you "upstage" someone, you are taking attention away from them.


Why Is Down Stage Called Down Stage?

If you view a stage from directly above, then the actors movement towards the front of the stage appears as moving "down stage". When theater scenes are choreographed, they are done from a perspective of looking directly down at the stage from above. The same is true when "camera blocking" is done to a film or television scene on a sound stage. Many beginning actors become confused at the direction to "move downstage" or "move upstage", as it is the most commonly corrected stage direction. Another Answer Historically, stages were built 'raked', or higher in the back than in the front. This made it easier for the audience, sitting in chairs on a flat floor, to see the action at the back of the stage, or UPSTAGE, which would otherwise be blocked by the actors and set at the front, or DOWNSTAGE. Stage directions are from the point-of-view of the performer, so on the old raked stages the performer was literally moving "up" or "down" as well as "right and "left."


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To lower a note that's already flat, there is such a thing as a double-flat.


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What does the word flat mean in acting?

It means that your voice is flat and doesn't having any feeling.

Related questions

What does downstage mean?

Currently, stages are flat and the audience area has raised tiers (the seats closest to the stage are lowest, then there is a higher row, and so on. It used to be that the audience area was flat (it might be a field where people just sat on the ground), and the stage sloped upwards towards the back. Downstage is literally towards the audience. Actors, set pieces, or props could be placed downstage (near the audience) initially or can move downstage (move towards the audience from a position more towards the back of the stage). The term "upstage" can mean to take the focus away from someone. If an actor is speaking to another actor on stage, and the first actor is downstage of the second one, the first actor has to turn her or his back to the audience to address the person "upstage" of them. So, when you "upstage" someone, you are taking attention away from them.


Why Is Down Stage Called Down Stage?

If you view a stage from directly above, then the actors movement towards the front of the stage appears as moving "down stage". When theater scenes are choreographed, they are done from a perspective of looking directly down at the stage from above. The same is true when "camera blocking" is done to a film or television scene on a sound stage. Many beginning actors become confused at the direction to "move downstage" or "move upstage", as it is the most commonly corrected stage direction. Another Answer Historically, stages were built 'raked', or higher in the back than in the front. This made it easier for the audience, sitting in chairs on a flat floor, to see the action at the back of the stage, or UPSTAGE, which would otherwise be blocked by the actors and set at the front, or DOWNSTAGE. Stage directions are from the point-of-view of the performer, so on the old raked stages the performer was literally moving "up" or "down" as well as "right and "left."


This is a flat surface extending in all directions.?

A flat surface extending in all directions is a plane.


What is a flat surface that goes on and on in all directions called?

The flat surface that goes on and on in all directions has no boundaries. This flat surface is called infinite surface. Accordingly, the answer is that the flat surface that goes on and on in all directions is called an infinite surface.


A flat surface extending endlessly in all directions?

A flat surface that extend infinitely in all directions is called a plane.


What is a flat extending endlessly in all directions called?

A flat extending endlessly in all directions is called a plane.


A flat surface that goes on and on in all directions?

A plane


A mineral that splits along a flat surface in 3 directions is?

Calcite exhibits cleavage in three directions.


What is a stage on a microscope?

A stage is a flat surface where the slide is placed and Holds a lens


What is a stage (microscope)?

A stage is a flat surface where the slide is placed and Holds a lens


Stage is microscopic?

Stage is the flat platform where you place your slides. Stage clips hold the slides in place.


Flat surface that extends indefinitely in all directions?

It is a plane that extends indefinitely in all directions. It is very easy to remember just think about what flys in the air and needs to land on a "flat surface that extends indefinitely in all directions" (the ground).