Upstage
adverb
Moving to the part of the stage away from the audience.
The actor walked upstage as the crowd applauded.
Often appears as...
- move upstage
- walk upstage
Usage tips
Theatrical
adjective
In or into the part of the stage away from the audience.
They performed in the upstage corner of the theatre, away from the audience.
Often appears as...
- upstage corner
- upstage area
Usage tips
Theatrical
verb
To draw attention away from someone else by being more noticeable or dramatically effective.
The opening act upstaged the main performer by offering a spectacular performance.
Often appears as...
- upstage someone
- attempt to upstage
Usage tips
Disapproving
adverb
Moving to the part of the stage away from the audience.
The actor walked upstage as the crowd applauded.
Often appears as...
- move upstage
- walk upstage
Usage tips
Theatrical
adjective
In or into the part of the stage away from the audience.
They performed in the upstage corner of the theatre, away from the audience.
Often appears as...
- upstage corner
- upstage area
Usage tips
Theatrical
verb
To draw attention away from someone else by being more noticeable or dramatically effective.
The opening act upstaged the main performer by offering a spectacular performance.
Often appears as...
- upstage someone
- attempt to upstage
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Theatrical Movement
Refers to walking towards the background of a stage scene, often for dramatic effect.
He defiantly walked upstage, turning his back on the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Less Visible
Moving upstage may make an actor less visible to the audience, used for specific scenes.
She silently moved upstage, as the lights dimmed around her.
Pro Tip 3/3Directional Cue
Used in stage directions to guide actors during rehearsals and performances.
The director instructed him to move upstage on his final line.
Pro Tip 1/3Theatrical Movement
Refers to walking towards the background of a stage scene, often for dramatic effect.
He defiantly walked upstage, turning his back on the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Less Visible
Moving upstage may make an actor less visible to the audience, used for specific scenes.
She silently moved upstage, as the lights dimmed around her.
Pro Tip 3/3Directional Cue
Used in stage directions to guide actors during rehearsals and performances.
The director instructed him to move upstage on his final line.
Pro Tip 1/3Theatrical Movement
Refers to walking towards the background of a stage scene, often for dramatic effect.
He defiantly walked upstage, turning his back on the audience.
Pro Tip 2/3Less Visible
Moving upstage may make an actor less visible to the audience, used for specific scenes.
She silently moved upstage, as the lights dimmed around her.
Pro Tip 3/3Directional Cue
Used in stage directions to guide actors during rehearsals and performances.
The director instructed him to move upstage on his final line.
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Video examples
Frank Gehry: From 1990,...
in downtown, in a neighborhood that was difficult to fit into. And it was my theory, or my point of view, that one didn't upstage the neighborhood --
Video examples
Frank Gehry: From 1990,...
in downtown, in a neighborhood that was difficult to fit into. And it was my theory, or my point of view, that one didn't upstage the neighborhood --
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Prunella Scales
English Actress
Everyone said how brilliant of Tom Conti to be in bed in 'Whose Life Is it Anyway?' and only have his head to act with. He should be so bloody lucky. I'm not for a moment disputing that Tom Conti is an absolutely brilliant actor. But he should be so lucky to be stuck upstage in the spotlight, with everyone focused on him.
Quote examples
Adam Rapp
American Novelist
Film directing has perfected my theater directing. I think when I first started directing, a lot of my stuff was very lateral; I was afraid to have the actors' backs turned away, afraid to put them too far upstage, and I think once I did more things with film, I got more interested in composition.
Quote examples
Padma Lakshmi
Indian Chef
Jewelry should not upstage you. I pick one hot point on my body that I'm going to highlight. Let one area do the singing - you don't want to hear three songs at once.
Quote examples
Eva Marie
American Actress
I am the youngest of three brothers so was constantly trying to upstage them all the time growing up, so that's why being a WWE Diva is so fitting for me.
Quote examples
Robin Wright
American Actress
I tell you, being on a soap is the hardest work, and it gets so old. Get on your mark, get in the light, don't turn too far upstage - that's all it is.
Quote examples
Sharmila Tagore
Indian Actress
Obviously you do not want to upstage. Some people work like that. But I have never been that upstaging kind. I wouldn't want to upset anyone.
Quote examples
Ed Rendell
American Politician
You know rule one for the vice president is make sure you never upstage the president, right? It's rule one.
Quote examples
Tom Wopat
American Actor
I'm facing upstage, with my back to the audience, and the spotlight comes up on my back as I start singing.
Quote examples
Georgina Chapman
English Designer
Bridesmaids are never going to upstage the bride.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
You mustn't upstage the bride.
Quote examples
Prunella Scales
English Actress
Everyone said how brilliant of Tom Conti to be in bed in 'Whose Life Is it Anyway?' and only have his head to act with. He should be so bloody lucky. I'm not for a moment disputing that Tom Conti is an absolutely brilliant actor. But he should be so lucky to be stuck upstage in the spotlight, with everyone focused on him.
Quote examples
Adam Rapp
American Novelist
Film directing has perfected my theater directing. I think when I first started directing, a lot of my stuff was very lateral; I was afraid to have the actors' backs turned away, afraid to put them too far upstage, and I think once I did more things with film, I got more interested in composition.
Quote examples
Padma Lakshmi
Indian Chef
Jewelry should not upstage you. I pick one hot point on my body that I'm going to highlight. Let one area do the singing - you don't want to hear three songs at once.
Quote examples
Eva Marie
American Actress
I am the youngest of three brothers so was constantly trying to upstage them all the time growing up, so that's why being a WWE Diva is so fitting for me.
Quote examples
Robin Wright
American Actress
I tell you, being on a soap is the hardest work, and it gets so old. Get on your mark, get in the light, don't turn too far upstage - that's all it is.
Quote examples
Sharmila Tagore
Indian Actress
Obviously you do not want to upstage. Some people work like that. But I have never been that upstaging kind. I wouldn't want to upset anyone.
Quote examples
Ed Rendell
American Politician
You know rule one for the vice president is make sure you never upstage the president, right? It's rule one.
Quote examples
Tom Wopat
American Actor
I'm facing upstage, with my back to the audience, and the spotlight comes up on my back as I start singing.
Quote examples
Georgina Chapman
English Designer
Bridesmaids are never going to upstage the bride.
Quote examples
Ian Mckellen
English Actor
You mustn't upstage the bride.
Example 1 of 10
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