stage left

American  

noun

Theater.

1. the part of the stage that is left of center as one faces the audience.

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stage left British  

noun

1. the part of the stage to the left of a performer facing the audience

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Etymology

Origin of stage left

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does stage-left compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• stage right vs. stage left

Example Sentences

But she may be a better reactive comedian than she is a performer alone on stage, left entirely to her own devices.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

Guitarist George Vjestica is on the bottom level, stage right, while the incomparable Warren Ellis holds down stage left.

From Salon • May 13, 2025

One faced stage left, the other stage right.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2025

“And so I exit stage left, and it was brief.”

From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023

There are risers pushed to the side of the stage left over from a choir concert.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli