Up or down?

The terms Upstage and Downstage originate from when stages were built slanted towards the audience: raked

raked Stages are still used today

Left or Right?

In theatre, stage-left and stage-right are taken from the point of view of the actor

In Television Camera-left and Camera right are taken from the point of view of the ...camera

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Different types of Theatre space

Pros. Arch, or "fourth wall" is the traditional stage. Suited to large scale "picture making" and telling a story (without upsetting the audience).

Pros. arch Apron is the main type of stage used in most West End Theatres. It has all the technical possibilities of Pros Arch, but the apron enables actors to break through the "fourth wall" and relate more with the audience.

Thrust Staging achieves a  more immediate space for the audience and can make highly emotional scenes and/or fight scenes  much more personal/intense.

Arena is based on Greek staging. This style is purely an actor's space with little scenic possibilities.

The Circus is one example of arena staging..(and not too dissimilar from the Globe)

Perhaps the most exciting and interactive space available for an actor (but limiting for a designer). Acting techniques do need to adapt; scenes need to be permanently on the move to achieve minimal upstaging.

An unusual space for the audience. Processions and other "Catwalk" events would suit this style.

As the audience remain alert at all times, this would suit a more "in your face" style rather than realism.

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There are, of course  thousands of variations of these styles,

Artaud, for instance, came up with the idea of putting the audience in the centre on swivel chairs and have the Actors perform on a balcony around them.......(mmm..)

and some variations have not yet been invented...

Any Ideas?!?