downstage

adverb or adjective down·stage \ ˈdau̇n-ˈstāj \

Definition of downstage

1 : toward or at the front of a theatrical stage

2 : toward a motion-picture or television camera

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First Known Use of downstage

1793

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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downstage

noun down·stage \ -ˌstāj \

Definition of downstage

: the part of a stage that is nearest the audience or camera

Recent Examples of downstage from the Web

Upstage is at the former home of Clockwise Theatre at 221 N. Genesee St., just a few blocks from the downstage venue at 115 N. Genesee St., where the theater festival is being held.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Local playwrights' new works staged during Waukegan Theatre Festival," 23 Jan. 2018
Racine and Anaia open the play downstage center, in glaring light, positioned in a way that invites — no, dares — us to stare at them.

— ben brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘Is God Is’ Reinvents the Good, the Bad and the Ugly," 18 Feb. 2018
The shows are being held at Three Brothers Theatre's smaller downstage theater.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Local playwrights' new works staged during Waukegan Theatre Festival," 23 Jan. 2018
Baryshnikov's route to the stage takes him through a door at the back of the structure, across its near-empty interior, and finally out a downstage set of doors.

— tony adler, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Dance / Poetry / Theater Brodsky/Baryshnikov is a meditation on mortality, with a little bit of dancing," 3 Feb. 2018
Throughout the two-hour program, Mr. Springsteen appeared as approachable and amiable, occasionally wandering downstage to address the assembly.

— jim fusilli, WSJ, "The Boss on Broadway," 12 Oct. 2017
And then, at the precise right moment, U2's drummer, Larry Mullen Jr., walks downstage to the drum kit.

— james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "Every Night Perfect," 5 Sep. 2017
But instead of bringing the action and minimal set downstage, everything is moved to the wall furthest from the seats.

— lee williams, OregonLive.com, "Poor staging shades Profile Theatre's '26 Miles' (review)," 18 June 2017
Clair marshaled the combined forces of the singers, the orchestra and the Pacific Chorale efficiently under trying circumstances – his back is to the action, most of which happens in a small downstage sandbox.

— Orange County Register, "‘Aida’ features a memorable debut in Costa Mesa," 24 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'downstage.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of downstage

circa 1931

in the meaning defined above

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DOWNSTAGE Defined for English Language Learners

downstage

adverb

Definition of downstage for English Language Learners

: toward the front part of a stage

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