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Glossary

Sightline

Also called sightlines, sight line

A sightline is the line of sight between an audience seat and the stage, which decides what each part of the audience can and cannot see.

Directors, designers and stage managers check sightlines so that furniture, scenery or actors do not block the view. An actor who faces too far upstage may be asked to turn slightly towards the audience.

In use

Move that chair downstage a touch, it is blocking the sightline from the side seats.

Last updated 4 Oct 2026

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