In performing arts, there’s a concept called “read”, which is akin to presentation. It is how an on-stage action is taken and understood by the audience. An actor could make a subtle head gesture to indicate his/her confusion and the director may say, “That doesn’t read well” meaning that a person watching the show might not catch that movement and “get” what it is supposed to convey. Instead, maybe the actor has to emphasize it more so that people -- particularly those seated farther back or in the balcony -- can immediately understand it.
By the nature of it, performers have to care how they appear and how others see them and so they place a lot of emphasis (and trust) on direction and from an outside perspective.