Show dictionary · Production Management
Stage Directions
Also: SL/SR/US/DS
Stage directions are given from the performer’s point of view facing the audience: stage left (SL) is the performer’s left, stage right (SR) their right, upstage (US) away from the audience, downstage (DS) toward it. House left and right describe the audience’s mirror-image view.
In practice
The system exists so direction is unambiguous regardless of who is speaking or where they stand: "the podium moves to stage right" means one thing to everyone on the call. Combined forms (DSL, USC, UR) locate positions on a nine-square grid every theatre person carries mentally.
The house/stage duality is the classic trap for newcomers and clients: a corporate client pointing "left" from the back of the ballroom means stage right. Camera crews add a third dialect (camera left equals house left), which is why experienced show callers name the frame before the direction.
How you’ll hear it
"Presenter enters from stage left; that is house right if you are walking guests from the lobby."
Related resources
Part of the eventools.io Show Dictionary, a free glossary of live event production terminology.