Stage Directions

I still get confuse with stage directions. I’m pretty sure upstage is at the back and downstage is near the audience (I think you’re supposed to imagine that the stage slopes so everyone can see everything) but I can never remember if you suppose to go with what the audience see for right and left or what it is on stage. I think it’s by what you see when you’re on stage but I’m not sure.

I just don’t bother and have little diagrams with arrows for all the entrance and exits. At least I’ll know what direction everyone’s going in.