Define stage. stage synonyms, stage pronunciation, stage translation, English dictionary definition of stage. n. 1. A raised and level floor or platform. 2. a. A raised platform on which theatrical performances are presented. b. An area in which actors perform.
Since the Italian Renaissance, the most common stage used in the West has been the proscenium stage which may also be referred to as a picture frame stage. The primary feature is a large opening known as the proscenium arch through which the audience views the performance.
When a concert in a sports arena places the stage at one end of the space, which is more common, the setup becomes an end stage or a thrust stage, depending on audience placement.