What Are The Onstage- And Backstage Areas Of The Theatre Called?

In Japan, these areas are referred to as 'the shadow side', whereas the stage and auditorium are known as the light side.  In the UK, this area is simply known as on stage and off stage (behind stage is called backstage).

The Stage is separated into the following areas:


AUDIENCE AUDIENCE AUDIENCE AUDIENCE AUDIENCE

Down Stage Left              Down Stage Centre          Down Stage R


Centre Left                            Centre Stage                   Centre Right


Up Left  (USL)                          USC                           Up Stage Right

These are always from the actor's perspective, not the audience, if referring to the audience, we say audience left and audience right.

The side space of the left and right of the stage are called the wings.  Above the stage in a lot of theatres is the 'Flys', this is from where sets and scenery can be 'flown' in on weighted pulley systems.

The area where the actors change are called Dressing Rooms and where they relax is called the Green Room.  The backdoor of the theatre is called The Stage Door.