What does forestage mean?
Forestage is a rare noun for the front portion of a stage, especially the area in front of the curtain. In theatrical writing, the term identifies a distinct part of the performance space and provides a concise way of describing where an actor or object is situated. It belongs chiefly to older, literary, or technical theatrical prose rather than ordinary conversation, and it may sound old-fashioned to modern speakers. Modern stage vocabulary often uses downstage for the area toward the audience and apron for the part projecting forward of the proscenium, but forestage can refer more broadly to the visible front of the stage. The word is therefore especially useful when reading or discussing older plays, stage directions, and descriptions of theatre architecture. In a modern text, its appearance signals a formal or deliberately elevated register. Although uncommon, forestage is precise: it names the front of the stage, not the space behind the curtain or scenery and not an early phase of an activity.
nounA theatrical term for the front portion of a stage, especially the area in front of the curtain.
- The front portion of a stage, especially the area in front of the curtain.
"A single lamp illuminated the forestage as the actor entered."
"The director asked the actor to remain at the edge of the forestage."
"A row of lamps cast light across the forestage."
The standard plural is forestages.
"Descriptions of the set distinguished its forestages from the concealed areas behind the scenery."
“Forestage” names the visible front of the stage—the territory crossed when a performer comes forward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does forestage come from?
The word entered English in the early 17th century from French forestage, literally “fore-stage.” It combines the idea of being in front with the theatrical sense of the stage and originally designated the visible front portion of the performance area.
How forestage is actually used
Rare and somewhat old-fashioned. It occurs chiefly in literary, historical, or technical theatrical writing rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with forestage
“First stage” means an initial phase or step, whereas “forestage” is a rare theatrical term for the front part of a stage.