Front Curtain – Typically located in one of the first two rigging sets behind the proscenium arch, and runs the full width and height of the stage. Front curtains may be standard 2 section bi-parting, Austrian, Venetian, or Tableau curtains. They are usually made from Velour, available in many colors including custom dye lots, and also available with multiple fabric weights and fullness to suit the end user. Front curtains may also contain additional decorative elements, and trim. A bi-parting front curtain requires a curtain track system for operations.
Valance Curtain- Typically hung downstage of the main drape it masks the top of the main drape. Adjusting the valance curtain height can be used to control the height of the proscenium opening.
Legs or Tormentor Curtain - Used to make the off-stage wing space on either side of the proscenium from the view of the audience. Legs are typically made of black velour, commando cloth, or heavyweight repp cloth. Legs can be sewn as flat panels or with fullness as specified. Legs may be parallel to the proscenium opening or on pivots allowing the curtain face to show at an angle to the proscenium.
Border or Teaser Curtain – Used to mask the fly loft, rigging system, and lighting equipment on stage from the audiences view. Legs are typically similar in construction to the borders and travelers for fabric, color, fullness, etc.
Mid-Stage Traveler and Upstage Traveler – Used to shorten the stage and provide backdrops for presentations, movie screens, concerts, and other theater usages. Travelers are typically similar in construction to the legs and borders for fabric, color, fullness, etc. A bi-parting traveler requires a curtain track system for operations.
Cyclorama Curtain – Used as a neutral backdrop for stage settings. The cyclorama is often lit with colored lights to set atmosphere for different scenes. Most often cycloramas are made from seamed or seamless natural or sky blue muslin. Another common cloth for cycloramas is filled leno scrim.
Scrim Drops – Often used in much the same way as a cyclorama. Can be used for special effects, (i.e. to reveal scenes, soften cyclorama lighting, etc.) Scrims appear opaque when lit from the front and virtually transparent when backlit.
Drops – A generic term used for any fabric suspended from a pipe batten and weighted with a pipe or chain at the bottom. Types of drops includes: scrims, cycloramas, painted drops.
