Enter From the Audience’s Left (Stage Right)

This method has its roots in stage acting. Some claim there’s a difference in the way an audience feels about a character (and a speaker) based on whether they enter from the left or the right.

One theory suggests that entering from the audience’s left makes an audience more comfortable because they read from left to right. This would apply, of course, only to audiences who do read from left to right.

The extension of this theory is that when you enter from the audience’s left (stage right) you should exit to the audience’s right (stage left) because our perception is that when characters leave the stage to our right (stage left), they’re moving off into the distance and they’re gone.

Some claim that when characters enter from the audience’s left (stage right) they’re seen as “good guys,” but “bad guys” enter from the right (stage left).

I’ve read from several sources who suggest this tradition began with Shakespeare, though I haven’t been able to find any scientific information to support this theory. It does, however, have a ring of truth to it in my mind, so I thought it was worthy of space in this book.

When I speak, I try to enter from the audience’s left if I can, just in case there’s actual merit to this theory. I wouldn’t want my audience thinking I’m the “bad guy” as soon as I walk out onto the stage. So, what’s the lesson? You decide.

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