off-stage

An actor waits quietly in the wings, listening for his off-stage cue.

Definition

1. Adverb:

   • In the area not visible to the audience: "off-stage" refers to the part of a theatre that is not on the stage and thus not seen by the audience during a performance.
   • In private life: Used figuratively to mean away from public attention or the public eye, especially for performers.

2. Adjective:

   • Situated or happening away from the stage: Describing actions, sounds, or events that occur outside the visible performing area.
   • Private or not part of a public persona: Relating to a performer's personal life, apart from their professional role.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • The actor moved off-stage to change his costume. (He went to an area not visible to the audience.)
  • She lives a quiet life off-stage, away from the cameras. (In her private, non-public life.)

• Adjective:

  • An off-stage noise startled the performers. (A sound coming from behind or beside the stage.)
  • His off-stage behaviour is very different from his on-screen character. (His personal conduct away from public performance.)

Advanced Usage

• "off-stage voice": a voice heard from an unseen location in a theatre.

  • The director used an off-stage voice to create suspense. (A voice from behind the stage that the audience hears but does not see.)

• "off-stage drama": conflicts or events occurring in private life, especially of celebrities.

  • The off-stage drama among the cast was more interesting than the play itself. (Personal disputes or events not part of the public performance.)

Variants and Related Words

• Offstage (adj/adv): an alternative spelling of "off-stage", meaning the same.

  • The offstage crew worked tirelessly during the show. (The team behind the stage.)

• Onstage (adj/adv): the opposite of off-stage, meaning on or visible from the stage.

  • The onstage performance was flawless. (The action visible to the audience.)

Synonyms

• Backstage: in or to the area behind the stage, especially for performers and crew.
• Behind the scenes: in private or hidden areas, not in public view.

Related Idioms

• Off-stage antics: amusing or disruptive behaviour away from public performance.

  • The comedian’s off-stage antics made headlines. (His private actions or pranks.)

• Off-stage life: a person's existence outside their professional or public role.

  • She keeps her off-stage life very private. (Her personal affairs are not shared.)