# Stage Presence: Your definition

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-presence-your-definition/819505>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 13, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-presence-your-definition/819505 "2018-08-13T00:34:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-presence-your-definition/819505/41 "2018-08-15T17:13:38Z")

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> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> That’s called Upstaging.

Sort of. Upstaging is more specific. If you stand upstage of the other actors in your scene (i.e. you are farther from the audience than they are), then the other actors are forced to look away from the audience when they talk to you. So you become the only face the audience can see.

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**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-presence-your-definition/819505/42 "2018-08-15T23:04:41Z")

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> [@GuanoLad](#):
>
> I always thought Stage Presence was a theatrical term for charisma. But you’re all using it in reference to concerts, so I dunno.

I did not it intend to be limited to musical acts. My question was vague, granted, and I am not nor ever will be a performer. “Charisma” is another perfect word. Thank you.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stage-presence-your-definition/819505/43 "2018-08-15T23:16:12Z")

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> [@pulykamell](#):
>
> Yeah, it’s not something I can define. It’s some kind of cool confidence that is projected through body language and connecting with the audience. It needn’t involve moving around a lot or making faces to the music or mastery of the instrument or anything like that (although it may). It’s mainly some type of confidence. There’s just some people who have this “aura” about them that is palpable. I wish I could define it or explain it, but I can’t.

Yeah, that was kind of why I asked the question. I can’t define it either, but know when I see it. (I had too much time on my hands that day. Thanks for all the responses so far).

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