What is leveling in stage directions?

Leveling in stage directions refers to the positioning of actors relative to the audience's sight lines. It typically indicates if an actor is "upstage" or "downstage" of another actor.

- Upstage is a theatrical term meaning toward the back of the stage, away from the audience. To move upstage is to retreat.

- Downstage is also a theatrical term referencing away from the rear back wall; moving towards the footlights in theater. Often called the front area and the center of the stage is called down center. An actor located there has "taken stage centerstage." To move downstage is to make an advance or come more into immediate view.