Stage directions are instructions in a play that provide technical aspects of the production, such as lighting, sound, costume, scenery, props, and most importantly, the movement of actors onstage. They tell actors where to stand/sit, whether to enter/exit, and even if an actor should say something a certain way. Stage directions are usually very simplistic, only there to help readers understand the basics of whats going on. They can be found in two forms: written in paragraph form or in parentheses. Stage directions sometimes also provide practical information for the creative team producing the performance, such as information about lighting, props, sets, etc. . They can serve a multitude of functions for a play, depending on who is interacting with them. At their basic definition, stage directions are instructions in a playtext that tell performers what to do, where to go, what should be onstage, etc. . Ultimately, however, stage directions are suggestions rather than commands, unless they are crucial to maintaining a cohesive plot. Along with dialogue, stage directions help readers to fully visualize a play when reading it instead of seeing it performed.