Background vs. Backstage — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 21, 2024
Background refers to the setting or context behind the main focus, while backstage pertains to the area behind the stage in a theater where preparations and activities occur unseen by the audience.
Difference Between Background and Backstage
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Key Differences
Background typically refers to the surrounding environment or circumstances that form the context for an event, person, or scene. It provides necessary information to understand the main focus, adding depth and perspective. Backstage, on the other hand, specifically relates to the area behind a stage in a theater where actors and crew prepare for a performance. This term denotes activities and spaces hidden from the audience, including dressing rooms, prop storage, and technical equipment.
Background can be abstract or concrete, encompassing a wide range of contexts such as personal history, cultural settings, or visual scenery. It sets the stage for understanding broader narratives. Conversely, backstage is more concrete and location-specific, involving physical spaces and operational activities essential for a theatrical production's success.
In storytelling or visual arts, background helps in setting the tone and providing context, enriching the audience's experience by adding layers of meaning. Meanwhile, backstage is crucial in performing arts, ensuring that the performance runs smoothly and efficiently through meticulous preparation and coordination.
While background often relates to the visible or known context that enhances understanding, backstage pertains to the unseen but vital processes and efforts that support the visible performance or presentation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Setting or context behind the main focus
Area behind the stage in a theater
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Usage
Broad contexts such as history, scenery, or environment
Theater-specific term for behind-the-scenes areas
Visibility
Often visible or known to enhance understanding
Hidden from the audience's view
Application
Used in various fields like art, history, and storytelling
Primarily used in performing arts
Function
Provides context and depth
Facilitates preparation and coordination
Compare with Definitions
Background
The part of a scene or picture that lies behind the main objects.
The mountains in the background made the painting more vibrant.
Backstage
Activities or operations conducted out of public view.
The director discussed the changes backstage before the show.
Background
A person's education, experience, and social circumstances.
His background in engineering made him a perfect candidate for the job.
Backstage
The unseen parts of a production where logistical preparations occur.
The stage manager coordinated the cues from backstage.
Background
The part of a picture, scene, or design that forms a setting for the main figures or objects, or appears furthest from the viewer
The word is written in white on a red background
The house stands against a background of sheltering trees
Backstage
The part of a theater out of view of the audience.
The props were stored backstage for easy access during the play.
Background
The circumstances or situation prevailing at a particular time or underlying a particular event
The political and economic background
Background information
Backstage
The support areas for performers, including dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces.
The singer relaxed backstage before her performance.
Background
Form a background to
Windswept land backgrounded by the Rockies
Backstage
In or toward the area behind a performance space, especially the area in a theater comprising the dressing rooms.
Background
Provide with background
The embassy backgrounded American reporters
Backstage
In secret; privately.
Background
The ground or scenery located behind something.
Backstage
Of, relating to, occurring in, or situated behind a performance space
Backstage passes at a concert.
Background
The part of a pictorial representation that appears to be in the distance and that provides relief for the principal objects in the foreground.
Backstage
Concealed from the public; private.
Background
The general scene or surface against which designs, patterns, or figures are represented or viewed.
Backstage
Relating to, or situated in the area behind a stage.
Background
A position, area, or situation that is not immediately in one's attention or notice
You can hear traffic moving in the background during the interview.
Backstage
Secret, concealed from the public.
Background
(Computers) The environment in which programs operate that the user does not engage with directly
Processes that run in the background.
Backstage
Towards the area behind the stage.
Background
The circumstances and events surrounding or leading up to an event or occurrence.
Backstage
Out of view of the public.
Background
A person's experience, training, and education
Her background in the arts is impressive.
Backstage
The area behind a stage out of view of the audience where performers wait to give their show; especially that of the dressing rooms.
Background
The cultural or social environment in which a person was brought up or has lived
A class with students from many different backgrounds.
Backstage
The private portion of the space used by a business or enterprise.
Background
Subdued music played especially as an accompaniment to dialogue in a dramatic performance.
Backstage
The area on the stage out of sight of the audience.
Background
Sound that intrudes on or interferes with an audio recording.
Backstage
Concealed from the public; in private.
Background
Low-level radiation, as from radioactive decay, that exists as part of the natural environment.
Backstage
A stage area out of sight of the audience
Background
Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
Background noise
The antivirus program runs on a background thread.
Backstage
Concealed from the public
Background
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
The lawyer had a background in computer science.
Backstage
Out of view of the public; behind the scenes;
Working backstage to gain political support for his proposal
Many private deals were made backstage at the convention
Background
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
Backstage
In or to a backstage area of a theater;
Costumes were changed backstage
Background
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
Backstage
The area behind the stage in a theater where actors prepare.
The actors hurried backstage to change costumes.
Background
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
There was tons of noise in the background.
The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait.
Background
(computing) The image or color over which a computer's desktop items are shown (e.g. icons or application windows).
Background
(computing) A type of activity on a computer that is not normally visible to the user.
The antivirus program is running in the background.
Background
(physics) background radiation
Background
To put in a position that is not prominent.
Background
(journalism) To gather and provide background information (on).
Background
Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance, as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
Background
The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
Background
Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
Background
A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished . . . performance.
A husband somewhere in the background.
Background
The set of conditions within which an action takes place, including the social and physical conditions as well as the psychological states of the participants; as, within the background of the massive budget deficits of the 1980's, new spending programs had little chance of passage by the congress.
Background
The set of conditions that precede and affect an action, such as the social and historical precedents for the event, as well as the general background{5}; as, against the background of their expulsion by the Serbs, the desire of Kosovars for vengeance is understandable though regrettable.
Background
The signals that may be detected by a measurement which are not due to the phenomenon being studied, and tend to make the measurement uncertain to a greater or lesser degree.
Background
An agreement between a journalist and an interviewee that the name of the interviewee will not be quoted in any publication, although the substance of the remarks may be reported; - often used in the phrase "on background". Compare deep background.
Background
A person's social heritage: previous experience or training;
He is a lawyer with a sports background
Background
The part of a scene (or picture) that lies behind objects in the foreground;
He posed her against a background of rolling hills
Background
Information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem;
The embassy filled him in on the background of the incident
Background
Extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured;
They got a bad connection and could hardly hear one another over the background signals
Background
Relatively unimportant or inconspicuous accompanying situation;
When the rain came he could hear the sound of thunder in the background
Background
The state of the environment in which a situation exists;
You can't do that in a university setting
Background
(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
Background
Scenery hung at back of stage
Background
Understate the importance or quality of;
He played down his royal ancestry
Background
The circumstances or events preceding or surrounding an event.
Her background in law helped her win the case.
Background
The part of a field or landscape situated at a distance from the viewer.
The background of the photograph showed a beautiful sunset.
Background
Less prominent or conspicuous details or information.
The background story revealed the character’s true motivations.
Common Curiosities
Can 'background' refer to a person's history?
Yes, background can describe someone's education, experience, and social circumstances.
What does 'background' mean in art?
Background in art refers to the part of a scene or picture that serves as a backdrop to the main subject.
What is 'backstage' in a theater?
Backstage is the area behind the stage where performers and crew prepare for the show, unseen by the audience.
Is 'backstage' only used in theater contexts?
While primarily used in theater, backstage can also refer to behind-the-scenes areas in other performing arts.
Does 'background' affect the main focus of a work?
Yes, the background adds depth and context, enhancing the main focus.
What activities occur backstage?
Activities like costume changes, makeup application, and prop management happen backstage.
How is 'background' used in storytelling?
Background provides the setting and context that help in understanding the characters and plot.
What kind of preparations take place backstage?
Preparations include rehearsals, technical setups, and organizing props and costumes.
What is the importance of backstage in a performance?
Backstage is crucial for the preparation and smooth execution of a performance.
How does background influence narrative understanding?
Background gives necessary context, enriching the story and helping the audience grasp the full picture.
Is the term 'background' used in both art and literature?
Yes, background is used to provide context in both visual arts and written narratives.
Do audiences see what happens backstage?
No, backstage activities are hidden from the audience to maintain the illusion of the performance.
Can 'background' be both physical and abstract?
Yes, background can be a physical setting or abstract context like historical events.
How does background contribute to visual arts?
It sets the scene, providing a backdrop that complements and highlights the main subject.
Why is backstage considered important in theater?
It ensures that all elements of the performance are ready and coordinated for a seamless show.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
