Raked Stage
A stage floor that slopes upward from the front (audience side) to the back, improving sightlines for audiences seated at ground level. Raked stages were standard in European theatres from the Renaissance through the 19th century—this is why the area nearest the audience is called "downstage" (literally down the slope) and the area farthest away is "upstage." Some modern productions still use raked stages for dramatic visual effect.
