Here's the breakdown:
* Stage: This refers to the physical platform where actors perform in a theater.
* Up: In the traditional proscenium arch theater, the stage is higher than the audience seating. Therefore, "up" refers to being physically higher on the stage.
Historically:
* Actors in the back of the stage (further "up") were considered less important than those closer to the audience (downstage).
* "Upstaging" originally meant to steal attention from another actor by moving further back on the stage. This was seen as a rude and unprofessional move, as it disrupted the flow of the performance.
Over time:
* The meaning of "upstage" evolved to encompass any action that draws attention away from another person, whether in a theatrical setting or not.
* Today, "upstage" is used more generally to describe someone who steals the spotlight or dominates a situation.
So, the origin of the word "upstage" is connected to the physical layout of a theater and the historical practices of actors.