Downstage

Downstage is the area of the stage closest to the audience — the front edge. The opposite of upstage, which is the area furthest from the audience toward the back wall. These terms come from traditional theater, where stages were raked (tilted) so the back was literally higher ("up") and the front was lower ("down").

How it's used

Downstage is a position reference used in stage plots, lighting design, and crew communication. "Put the monitors downstage center" means front and center of the stage. Combined with stage left and stage right (from the performer's perspective), these terms let crews communicate positions precisely.