Offstage
adverb
Not visible to the audience; behind the scenes in a theater.
The actors were whispering offstage.
Often appears as...
- offstage voice
- offstage noises
adjective
Happening or done out of the public view, especially in a theater.
He moved some props to an offstage area.
Often appears as...
- offstage crew
- offstage areas
adverb
Away from one's professional role or public image.
The offstage persona of the actor was quite different from his characters on stage.
Often appears as...
- offstage persona
- offstage life
adverb
Not visible to the audience; behind the scenes in a theater.
The actors were whispering offstage.
Often appears as...
- offstage voice
- offstage noises
adjective
Happening or done out of the public view, especially in a theater.
He moved some props to an offstage area.
Often appears as...
- offstage crew
- offstage areas
adverb
Away from one's professional role or public image.
The offstage persona of the actor was quite different from his characters on stage.
Often appears as...
- offstage persona
- offstage life
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Theater Context
Used to describe actions or events in a theater that the audience cannot see.
The set change occurred offstage during the intermission.
Pro Tip 2/3No Audience View
Emphasizes that something is hidden from the audience intentionally, often for dramatic effect.
Offstage, the villain was preparing his next move.
Pro Tip 3/3Implies Mystery
Can imply secrecy or actions that are meant to be mysterious and surprising when revealed.
The mysterious voice came from offstage, piquing the audience's curiosity.
Compare with
backstagebehind the sceneshideunseen
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Video examples
Bryce Dallas Howard: How...
When I blanked at my first piano recital and ran offstage crying, my mom insisted I stay and support my peers. Years later, when my son grimaced at a chipmunk carcass, our cat had left in the driveway,
Video examples
Bryce Dallas Howard: How...
When I blanked at my first piano recital and ran offstage crying, my mom insisted I stay and support my peers. Years later, when my son grimaced at a chipmunk carcass, our cat had left in the driveway,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Tony Rock
American Actor
My first stand-up experience, like most comics, was horrible. I got booed offstage. I thought I was funnier than I was. But the walk from the back of the room to the stage was the most excited I'd ever been about anything in my life other than kissing a girl. That's how I knew I had to get back onstage and do it again.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
Since the departure of good old-fashioned entertainers the re-emergence of somebody who wants to be an entertainer has unfortunately become a synonym for camp. I don't think I'm camper than any other person who felt at home on stage, and felt more at home on stage than he did offstage.
Quote examples
Joe Rogan
American Comedian
Phil Hartman was brilliant, and Dave Foley is a really funny guy. Phil Hartman was actually even funnier offstage than he was onstage because he would say nasty things. Dave Foley's very funny, very witty guy, very quick.
Quote examples
Don Rickles
American Comedian
Most people think the character I do onstage is the way I am offstage, but I'm just a regular guy who spends time with his family and who turns on the television and watches a lot of sports.
Quote examples
Tyra Banks
American Model
From offstage until the moment I walk onstage, I constantly tweak my talk show and 'Top Model', but at the same time, I often leave my private life by the wayside.
Quote examples
Charles Bradley
American Musician
I go out of my way to acknowledge the public and let them know that I'm not always on stage. Offstage, I care. I live their life.
Quote examples
Ali Wong
American Actress
People are always very surprised by how, offstage with my husband, I'm a completely different person... very soft and nurturing.
Quote examples
Jefferson Mays
American Actor
I try to inhabit each of the characters as fully as I can, however short-lived they are. But most of my show happens offstage.
Quote examples
Gustav Mahler
Austrian Composer
In the theatrical works we love and admire the most, the ending of the drama generally takes place offstage.
Quote examples
Brandon Victor Dixon
American Actor
If you empathize with your fellow humans on stage, you can't help but do so offstage as well.
Quote examples
Tony Rock
American Actor
My first stand-up experience, like most comics, was horrible. I got booed offstage. I thought I was funnier than I was. But the walk from the back of the room to the stage was the most excited I'd ever been about anything in my life other than kissing a girl. That's how I knew I had to get back onstage and do it again.
Quote examples
David Bowie
English Musician
Since the departure of good old-fashioned entertainers the re-emergence of somebody who wants to be an entertainer has unfortunately become a synonym for camp. I don't think I'm camper than any other person who felt at home on stage, and felt more at home on stage than he did offstage.
Quote examples
Joe Rogan
American Comedian
Phil Hartman was brilliant, and Dave Foley is a really funny guy. Phil Hartman was actually even funnier offstage than he was onstage because he would say nasty things. Dave Foley's very funny, very witty guy, very quick.
Quote examples
Don Rickles
American Comedian
Most people think the character I do onstage is the way I am offstage, but I'm just a regular guy who spends time with his family and who turns on the television and watches a lot of sports.
Quote examples
Tyra Banks
American Model
From offstage until the moment I walk onstage, I constantly tweak my talk show and 'Top Model', but at the same time, I often leave my private life by the wayside.
Quote examples
Charles Bradley
American Musician
I go out of my way to acknowledge the public and let them know that I'm not always on stage. Offstage, I care. I live their life.
Quote examples
Ali Wong
American Actress
People are always very surprised by how, offstage with my husband, I'm a completely different person... very soft and nurturing.
Quote examples
Jefferson Mays
American Actor
I try to inhabit each of the characters as fully as I can, however short-lived they are. But most of my show happens offstage.
Quote examples
Gustav Mahler
Austrian Composer
In the theatrical works we love and admire the most, the ending of the drama generally takes place offstage.
Quote examples
Brandon Victor Dixon
American Actor
If you empathize with your fellow humans on stage, you can't help but do so offstage as well.
Example 1 of 10
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