COMMON CURTAIN LAYOUT

THE PROSCENIUM STAGE USES MORE TYPES OF STAGE DRAPERY THAN THRUST STAGES OR ARENAS ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS ALL DRAPES ARE DESIGNED TO MASK BACK STAGE AREAS FROM SPECTATORS -STAGE DRAPES ARE OFTEN MADE OF DARK COLORED (BLACK) MATERIAL TO ABSORB LIGHT -STAGE DRAPES ARE OFTEN MADE OUT OF HEAVY WEIGHT VELOUR OR DUVITYN STAGE DRAPES

The purpose of the grand drape is to cover the Proscenium Opening It is usually made of a heavy weight velour and is usually a deep red or blue color. It usually can be flown out or Traveled open. Depending on where you are in the country/countries it is also known as the Main Curtain, Main Rag, Main Drape, Grand Rag, House Curtain GRAND DRAPE

THE TRAVELER- The most common curtain system is a two piece Curtain that is on a track and can be pulled open and closed horizontally. If hung on a batten it can be flown in or out as well. This is sometimes called a “Guillotine” or “Bounce” curtain. COMMON STYLES OF GRAND DRAPE

The Tableau- Also known as the “Tab” consists of two overlapping panels. It is opened by pulling the lower inside corners upward and outward. COMMON STYLES OF GRAND DRAPE

The Venetian- also known as the Profile or Contour Curtain consists of a single pleated panel which can be opened to various heights and configurations because the vertical pull ropes are individually adjustable. COMMON STYLES OF GRAND DRAPE

The Austrian Curtain is also raised by individual vertical rigging. Permanent swagging pleats are sown in and the bottom often has fancy fringe tassels. COMMON STYLES OF GRAND DRAPE

The Grand Valance is usually located just downstage of the Main Drape It is made of the same material as the Main Curtain but is only about 12’-15’ Long It is used to cover up any equipment/scenery that are flown immediately upstage of the proscenium GRAND VALANCE

If used a False Proscenium is used Immediately upstage of the Grand Drape and Grand Valance The “False Pro” is usually made of a hard material such as plywood that is then covered with a soft material such as velour. The main purpose is to provide masking for the wings and the flies A False Pro is often used to shrink the size and change the shape of the Proscenium Arch FALSE PROSCENIUM

EXAMPLE OF FALSE PRO FROM BACK STAGE

A SHOW PORTAL: Is a False Proscenium that is created for a specific production It masks the stage, and makes a picture frame for the set that is connected to the concept of the scenery SHOW PORTAL

The Narrow and Tall masking curtains that hang on the sides of the stage are called LEGS. They are used to mask the wings. Legs are sometimes known as “TORMENTORS” because they torment the actors who get caught up in them in the dark. The Short but wide masking curtains that hang across the stage are called BORDERS. They are used to mask the flies and hanging scenery. Borders are sometimes referred to as TEASERS because they “tease” the audience’s eye by hiding the scenery for the up coming scenes. 2 LEGS and 1 Border are usually used in tandem LEGS AND BORDERS

Cut Legs, Borders, and drops are specific to a show and usually use a 1” netting, or bobinet as a backing to keep the drop sturdy. CUT LEGS, CUT BORDERS, CUT DROPS

Theatre people are some of the most superstitious people in the world. To wish an actor “Good Luck!” is considered a curse of bad luck. So often You say “Break a Leg!” which seems like a terrible curse to ensure good luck. The history of the phrase “Break a Leg” is cloudy. There are many translations and other phrases in other languages that sound like “Break a Leg”. We know the term became widely used in the 1920s during the height of the Vaudeville Stage. HISTORY INTERLUDE

This is when most theatre artists were traveling around the country on the vaudeville circuit. So for a phrase to become so popular and widely used in the theatre world makes sense with people using it from city to city. At the time Vaudeville Theatres would book more acts than could be seen and only acts that performed would be paid. The Vaudeville Stages were also often Proscenium Stages and had masking curtains. To “BREAK A LEG” means to cross through the legs and make an entrance on stage to perform and get paid. So performers would say it to the other performers who had not gone on stage yet. “BREAK A LEG”

The Sky Drop also known as the Sky Tab is used to simulate the sky. It is a large flat curtain normally made out of muslin or scenic canvas and is hung on a batten as far upstage as possible It tends to be dyed a uniform light blue to simulate the sky or can be off white so that the lighting designer can light it an appropriate shade for the scene. SKY DROP

The Cylcolrama (Syke-lo-rama) or “CyC” is an expansion on the idea of a Sky Drop. It is used when a large expanse of sky is needed for a set In the past it would be consisting of three Sky drops hung to overlap at different angles to create the idea of the sky surrounding the scene Later a FLY CYC was developed from an unbroken expanse of cloth and hung on a large U-shaped batten that expands around 3 sides of the stage. It is located outside of the range of the other battens in order to not collide. CYCLORAMA

Sharkstooth Scrim is often used in the theatre. It is a specialty woven fabric that actually has more open spaces than thread giving it translucent abilities. This gives Scrim some very interesting properties. If lit from the front it reflects the light back to the viewer and has an opaque quality. If not lit from the front, but objects behind the scrim are lit, the scrim becomes basically invisible If lit from the front and from behind objects behind the scrim look cloudy and appear to be in the far distance. A white or blue scrim hung in front of the cyc or sky drop helps smooth out any wrinkles, dirty spots, or imperfections on the cyc A Black Scrim hung in front of the Sky Drop can add the effect of atmospheric perspective by making objects seem further than they are. SCRIM

A Scrim can carefully be painted to have the appearance of being a regular painted drop while also having the translucent qualities of scrim. Painted drops are usually made out of muslin or stage canvas and are painted with acrylic or latex paints because of their flexibility. As long as a thin layer of paint is applied the drop will still be able to be folded for transportation. After some time the paint will begin to crack. A painted drop up stage is usually called the BACK DROP Theaters might have 8-12 stock back drops that they use regularly (Forest scene, Urban Scene, House Interior, Ocean Scene, Jungle Scene) PAINTED DROPS

Rolling or Oleo Drops- The drop has a roller at the bottom that it gets wrapped around when flown out Tripped Drop- The drops is also rigged at the bottom or middle to fold the drop when stored in the fly loft Breasting- Moving a curtain or drop out of its working position to allow other scenery to pass. Kabuki Drop- A release mechanism that allows a curtain to drop completely from the batten. Often seen in rock concerts. SPECIALTY DROPS

The purpose of the fire curtain is not to put out the fire but to contain it to the stage and separate the auditorium from flames. The original Fire Curtain was and Asbestos Curtain that was located right behind the Proscenium Arch. After 1965 we realized that Air born Asbestos was very harmful and discontinued creating fire curtains out of asbestos. Many theatres still have Asbestos Curtains. Modern Fire Curtains are made of Synthetic Flame Retardant Materials and are located in a metal trough on the Proscenium Arch They also have Hydraulic Dowsers that allow for quick release and then controlled lowering at 6’-8’ off the floor. FIRE CURTAIN

Curtians and Drops Usually have a pipe, chain, or batten attached to their bottom to keep them stretched tight. These can hurt if they are flown into peoples heads. In 2010 TONY Awards Rock Star Brett Heart was knocked unconscious during a scene change after his performance of Rock of Ages Fire has destroyed more theaters than any other cause throughout history. All fabrics hung should be flame retardant and hot lights should not be hung near or focused directly on soft goods. Every 10 years curtains should be replaced for new flame retardant materials. SAFETY CONCERNS

Masking Traveler Teaser/Border Tormentor/Leg Cyclorama Sky Drop Scrim Drops, Painted Drops, Back Drops Tripping/Breasting Fire Curtain TERMS