centre stagecenter stagen.adv.
/ˌsɛntə ˈsteɪdʒ/, U.S. /ˌsɛn(t)ər ˈsteɪdʒ/ Originally U.S.
A. n.
1. The central area of a stage in a theatre, concert hall, stadium, etc. Cf. stage centre at stage n. 5f.In later use often without determiner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [noun] > centre of stage
centre stage1875
1875 C. White Magic Penny i. i. 16 (stage direct) Goes up to the centre stage, and shifts his clothes.
1919 Times 15 Dec. 7/1 The centre stage is covered over by a sloping roof.
1940 Classical Philos. 35 39 Such passages were merely intended to give the actor time to walk from center stage to the wing.
2006 Vanity Fair (N.Y.) Aug. 146/1 [She] shuttles between a piano perched on risers at the far end of stage left and a stool at center stage where she plays guitar.
2. In extended use: the most prominent position, the centre of attention. Cf. limelight n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > earnest attention, concentration > [noun] > focus of attention
centre1582
focus1751
focal point1755
nodal point1862
centre stage1887
1887 Los Angeles Times 9 Oct. 19/1 A diet in which codfish take ‘center stage’ and plays [sic] the leading role, may be nutritive, but is not attractive.
1905 Washington Post 16 Apr. 8/7 When they see another dog holding center stage, gitting [sic] all the applause it was more than professional jealousy could stand.
1957 R. W. Lyman First Labour Govt., 1924 xv. 268 Tory and Labourite monopolized the centre stage, and one humiliation after another was heaped upon the Liberals.
2000 T. Hall To Elephant Graveyard (2001) iv. 84 It was obvious that this old Harrovian was someone who enjoyed centre stage.
B. adv.
At or towards the central area of a stage. In extended use: in or towards the most prominent position; at the centre of attention.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [adverb] > centre of stage
centre stage1894
1894 Critic (N.Y.) 1 Sept. 147/2 He ‘discovered’ the letter lying ‘centre stage’.
1938 Charleston (W. Va.) Daily Mail 9 June 8/2 A woman who wants the center of the stage, but cannot win it with merit, ‘gets her dander up’ and projects herself center-stage by main force.
1959 F. Astaire Steps in Time (1960) xii. 134 He wanted us to continue doing the last step, which started center stage, and sustain it as we traveled to the side.
2006 Health Service Jrnl. 20 Apr. 5/1 (heading) Healthcare Commission to put patients' dignity centre-stage.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.adv.1875