Types of Stage Curtains

Proscenium Curtains Proscenium curtains hang just upstage of the proscenium opening, and they include the main valance and the main act curtain. The main act curtain is also sometimes referred to as the grand drape or house curtain. These curtains provide a sight and sound barrier between the stage and audience area, sometimes referred to as the house. There are several styles of main act curtains: Draw or Traveler Curtain The most common main act curtain is the draw or traveler curtain, which is made of two bi-parting sections. These sections are placed on two overlapping sections of track, and each half can be drawn from the center to the opposite side of the stage. Venetian Curtain The Venetian Curtain or Contour Curtain is a specialty main act curtain that is raised by vertical lift lines which are individually adjustable, making it possible to open the view of the stage in various contours. Austrian Curtain The Austrian Curtain is a specialty main act curtain that is raised by multiple vertical lift lines where the amount of lift on each draw line is equal. It is sewn with vertical and horizontal fullness. This creates a series of horizontal swaging pleats. Tab Curtain The Tab Curtain is a specialty main act curtain that has two panels, sewn flat or with fullness, that is raised by diagonal lifting on the two on-stage lower corners towards the upper off-stage sides. Rain Curtains Rain curtains are specialty main act curtains made of a multitude of metallic or colored layers. NorthEast Stage can custom make Rain Curtains in a variety of colors and sizes to meet your specifications and dimensions. Please contact our sales department for samples or a quote. Masking Curtains Masking curtains are typically up-stage of the proscenium curtains. They are used to hide or "mask" off-stage areas, rigging, hardware, and stage lighting equipment. Masking curtains include borders, legs or side curtains and mid-stage, up-stage, and rear travelers. Legs and Borders Legs and Borders help to "mask" off-stage areas and hardware, but also add additional depth to the stage and help divide it. Legs or Sides are sewn in pairs and are used to reduce or reveal the full width of the proscenium opening as necessary to fit the stage use. Mid-Stage, Up-Stage, and Rear Travelers Traveler Curtains also help "mask" areas upstage of the proscenium curtains. They are made of two bi-parting sections. These sections are placed on two overlapping sections of track, and each half can be drawn from the center to the opposite sides of the stage. Sometimes a one-way traveler is needed, which means the curtain is made in one panel, installed on one section of track, and can be drawn to either stage left or stage right. Backdrops or Cycloramas Muslin, scrim and leno are often used as backdrops or for projection and lighting effects. Most are available in seamed or seamless form and paintable or non-paintable form. Please see stage curtain layouts for additional information.

Tips on How to Measure for Stage Curtains Tips on how to measure your existing stage curtains Do your existing curtains have a tag? Drapery tags are usually found on one of the lower off-stage sides of the curtains. Sometimes they may also be sewn to the upper off-stage sides (attached to the webbing). This tag usually contains curtain sizes, fullness, flame retardancy, fabric type, color, and other useful information. If your existing stage curtains do not have a tag, you will have to take some measurements (see below). Measuring the height of your curtains At the side hem, measure from the top of the curtain (don't worry about where the grommets are placed) to the bottom of the curtain. Make sure that the curtain is hanging straight and taut, and not pooled on the floor (this will affect your measurement). Δ Measuring the width of your curtains Measure your drape at the top webbing. The top webbed part of the drape is the true width of the panel. Measuring this part will eliminate any confusion due to fullness (that pleated look). Do not measure the width at the bottom hem. Measure each panel individually. Δ Tips on how to measure for new stage curtains The first step is to hang your track or pipe batten according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once that is secure, it is time to determine the height of the curtain. Measuring the height Measure from the bottom of the track (or pipe batten) to the floor. If you are using a stage pipe batten to hang your stage curtain, please click here. If you are using 140/300 series track to hang your stage curtain, please click here. If you are using 170/100 series track to hang your stage curtain, please click here. If you are using 280/400 series track to hang your stage curtain, please click here. Measuring the width Measure on the floor, the space that your stage curtain or drape needs to cover. Remember if you are measuring a bi-parting drape, you probably want it to overlap in the center. NorthEast Stage generally recommends a 1' overlap of each panel at center stage. Also, please keep in mind that on proscenium curtains, you probably want a 6-12" overlap of the proscenium opening on both off-stage sides (provided you have enough space). Δ

Δ Important Note: The above tips are general broad guidelines to assist customers in determining curtain sizes of their specific venue based on their specific hardware. Track / carrier / hardware specifications and sizes change sporadically, so it is important that customers only use this as a general guideline to assist in the process of measuring for their specific curtains. Current track / carrier / hardware specifications and sizes are readily available at:

www.automaticdevices.com
www.hhspecialties.com

All sizes provided to NorthEast Stage for stage curtain and drapery fabrication are the full responsibility of the customer.

Some Curtain Fabric Suggestions:
Front Valance Main/Front House	25 oz. Cotton Velour 25 oz. Poly Velour 20 oz. Cotton Velour 20 oz. Poly Velour
Leg/Side/ Borders/ Travelers	20 oz. Cotton Velour 20 oz. Poly Velour 16 oz. Cotton Velour 15 oz. Poly Velour	13 oz. Poly Velour Cotton Chevron Poly Chevron 16 oz. Commando
Cyc (Cycloramas)	Sharkstooth Scrim Muslin Leno
Window Valances/ Window Curtains	20 oz. Cotton Velour / lined 20 oz. Poly Velour / lined 16 oz. Cotton Velour / lined	15 oz. Poly Velour / lined 13 oz. Poly Velour / lined Doral Opaque
Acoustical Curtains	32 oz. Cotton Velour / lined 25 oz. Poly Velour / lined 25 oz. Cotton Velour / lined

Lining Fabrics Most curtains can be lined if desired; however typically you will find that main curtains, valances, and window curtains are lined to give the drapery a finished look. Lining protects stage curtains from damage caused by moving scenery and other objects which may snag the fabric. Window curtain lining blocks sunlight from outside as well as protects the face fabric from fading. Linings can be either permanently sewn onto the main curtain, or be removable with hook and loop. Typically cotton fabrics are lined with denim lining or ranger lining, while IFR fabrics are lined with a polyester.

FLAT Drape is sewn flat with no additional fullness added.	50% FULLNESS 3" box pleats 12" O.C. with 50% extra fabric added to desired width dimension.
75% FULLNESS 4" box pleats 12" O.C. with 75% extra fabric added to desired width dimension.	100% FULLNESS 6" box pleats 12" O.C. with 100% extra fabric added to desired width dimension.

Fullness Fullness is the amount of fabric sewn (or gathered) into a linear foot of curtain. If a curtain is sewn with 0% fullness, it is referenced to as "flat." Curtains with added fullness will be box pleated, and will have 50%, 75%, or 100% fullness pleated into the drape. For a curtain with 50% fullness, 18" of fabric will be pleated into 12", 75% will have 21" of fabric pleated into 12" and 100% fullness will have 24" of fabric pleated into 12".

Please select one:

Hung From Pipe
WEBBING, GROMMETS & TIES Standard top finish; 3.5" Jute webbing with #4 Grommets 12" O.C.; supplied with 36" tie line. Allows drape to be hung from a dead hung pipe or fly system batten.	SEWN TWILL TIES (hidden) Standard top finish often referred to as "Blind Ties," which enables the masking of the batten from which the drape is hanging. Ties 12" O.C.	HIDDEN WEBBING, GROMMETS & TIES Standard top finish often referred to as "Blind Grommets." Allows the masking of the batten from which the drape is hanging. Ties 12" O.C.
Hung From Track
WEBBING, GROMMETS & S-HOOKS Standard top finish 3.5" Jute webbing, with #4 Grommets 12" O.C.; supplied with 2" zinc plated s-hook. Allows drape to be hung from track or rod.	SEWN SNAP HOOKS Used for easier attachment to traveler tracks and cable; designed to easily clip on and off standard track carriers. Snaps 12" O.C.	HIDDEN SNAP HOOKS Used for masking, and for easier attachment to traveler tracks; designed to easily clip on and off standard track carriers. Snaps 12" O.C.
Stapled/Tacked
Other Method