Stage directions provide vital instructions in a play script to guide actors. They tell actors where to stand, how to enter and exit, and how to deliver their performance. The main stage directions describe the setting, a character's feelings, movements, and speech. A stage is divided into nine sections - center, downstage, upstage, right, left, downstage right, downstage left, upstage right, and upstage left - to guide actor positioning from the audience's perspective. Stage directions are crucial for proper scene staging and character performance.

1. STAGE LAYOUT
DIRECTION

2. What are stage directions?
Stage directions are instructions in the script
of a play that tell actors how to enter, where
to stand, when to move, also information
about the lighting, scenery, props, and
sound effects.

3. Stage directions give vital information for
the action and relationships between
people, things and places inside the play
script. They also can be used to tell an
actor how to shape his or her
performance.

4. The stage directions are used to
describe:
a) The setting
b) How the character feels
c) How the character moves
​d) How the character speaks

5. E. How the actors/actresses
move on stage
The cast are usually told where to go on stage
by stage directions. The front of the stage, called
downstage, is the end closest to the audience.
The rear of the stage, called upstage, is behind
the actor's back, furthest from the audience.

6. THERE ARE NINE MAIN SECTION OF A STAGE

7. They are often in abbreviated form. Here's
what they mean:
C: Center stage D: Downstage
U: Upstage R: Right
L: Left DR: Downstage right
DL: Downstage left UR: Upstage right
UL: Upstage left

8. The nine positions on a stage above are from the
performer's perspective on a proscenium stage.
These are important because they will guide the
performers as to where they go. Also, this will tell
you where to place the scenery, furniture and other
props.

9.  Upstage - this means away from the stage front. In the
proscenium stage, this usually serves as the entrance or
exit of the performers. It is where crosses or counter
crosses of the actors and actresses take place (see figure
 1). When a performer is on the upstage, she/he can be
seen as lesser important than the one on the downstage.

10. b. Center stage- the center of the playing area
c. Downstage- the area closest to the audience, when
a character is placed in this area, this leaves the
impression that he she is an important character.
Note: downstage and upstage cannot be used in
other types of stages but proscenium only.