What is Stage Right?

Stage right (often written SR) is the right side of the stage from the performer's point of view when facing the audience, which means it is on the audience's left. It is the opposite of stage left. Using the performer's view means every crew member, director and performer describes positions the same way.

How stage right is used

Crews use stage right in many everyday instructions:

  1. Entrances and exits: "Enter from stage right" tells a performer which wing to use.
  2. Positions: a stage plot may place the bass player stage right.
  3. Equipment: crew store kit for the next act in the stage right wing.
  4. Combined directions: "upstage right" is the back corner on the performer's right.
  5. Radio calls: crew name the side over radio, for example "need a hand SR".

Clear stage directions help every team at live events and conferences, where crews may change every day. Crescat helps receiving houses share this sort of venue information with visiting companies.

Stage right vs house right

Stage right is from the performer's view. House right is from the audience's view, so house right is the same side as stage left. Theatre staff use "house" terms in the auditorium and "stage" terms on stage.

What is often found stage right

  • The opposite prompt (OP) side in many UK theatres
  • A wing used for entrances, exits and storage
  • Monitor world at some venues
  • The loading door, depending on the building
  • Quick-change areas for performers
  • Spare equipment and cable stores

Frequently asked questions

Is stage right the audience's left?

Yes. Stage right is the performer's right when facing the audience, which is the left side for anyone looking at the stage from the audience.

What does OP mean in theatre?

OP stands for "opposite prompt". In traditional UK theatres, the prompt corner is stage left, so stage right is the OP side. Not all venues follow this, so check the venue's plans before the get-in.

Why not just say left and right?

Because left and right change depending on which way you are facing. Stage directions use one fixed view so there is no confusion between crew, performers and directors. The same rule is used in theatres, concert venues and TV studios.

Related terms