1. An overview of Curtains, Rigging, and Scenery Construction
Set Design Techniques
An overview of Curtains, Rigging, and Scenery Construction

2. Curtains Traveler curtain
-two sections of curtain suspended from a track
-parts in middle, pulled off stage into wings
- used when there is insufficient fly space to permit lifting the curtain
-used when the staging calls for a horizontal “reveal.”

3. Curtains
Fly Curtain
- It is one complete drape that lowers vertically.
- It is used in large theatres with a fly system.
- It is used when staging calls for a vertical “reveal.”

4. Curtains Contour Curtain
- It is designed to be gathered vertically when raised.
- It creates effect of fly curtain when there is no fly space.
- The pull lines can be raised simultaneously or manipulated to create arched openings.

5. Curtains Austrian curtain:
- It is similar to contour curtain, and opens in the same manner.
- It gathers vertically.
- It has sewn in pleats.

6. Curtains Tableau Curtain:
- made up of two panels, like traveler curtain
- opens diagonally by means of sewn in draw lines
- The shape of opening is determined by the angle of the draw lines.

7. Curtains Tableau Curtain:
- made up of two panels, like traveler curtain
- opens diagonally by means of sewn in draw lines
- The shape of opening is determined by the angle of the draw lines.

8. Curtains Teaser and Tormentors: - Teaser hangs behind the grand drape.
- It is a horizontal border that reduces the height of the opening.
-Tormentors are side panels that reduce the width of the opening.
- They are used when the production calls for a smaller, more intimate opening.
- They hide lighting and technical equipment.

9. Curtains Legs and Borders:
-They serve same purpose as teaser and tormentors, just farther upstage (away from audience).
- They add depth, mask lighting and equipment.

10. Rigging
This is a term for any machinery or ropes used to moved stage scenery. They can be counter-weighted to make the movement easier.

11. Rigging

12. Rigging

13. Scenery
Along with curtains, there may be things constructed on the stage to add realism or meaning to the production. This is the scenery . . .

14. Scenery
Backdrop:
- A large piece of fabric attached to a pole suspended from above
-It can be a flat color, decorative, or painted to mimic real environments (forest, city street, library interior, etc.)
- It can be used to represent environments and to hide areas upstage from the audience.

15. Scenery
Backdrop:
- A large piece of fabric attached to a pole suspended from above
-It can be a flat color, decorative, or painted to mimic real environments (forest, city street, library interior, etc.)
- It can be used to represent environments and to hide areas upstage from the audience.

16. Scenery
Cyclorama:
- A curved white backdrop that wraps around to sides of stage
- It eliminates unnatural shadows and crease lines of a conventional backdrop
-Colored lights projected on it provide the impression of a horizon, mood, or time changes. -Can give a feeling of infinite space.

17. Scenery

18. Scenery

19. Scenery

20. Scenery Scrim: - A fabric drape with unique properties.
- When lit from front, it appears to be opaque, but when lit from behind it turns transparent.
- It can be painted like a conventional backdrop.
- It is used for a quick/surprise scene transformation.
- Can be used to diffuse light for a mysterious effect.

21. Scenery
Scrim: Use of backlighting on a scrim in a production at Harvard University.

22. Scenery
Cut Drop:
- The elements of the backdrop are cut out for emphasis and lined with a scrim for strength.
- Additional elements can be are brought forward to add depth and realism.

23. Scenery

24. Scenery Three Dimensional Scenery:
- It is used to enhance realism and add depth where flat painting would not.
- It includes platforms, landings, ramps, and stairways that create spaces and elevations for actors to interact
- Irregular forms are usually done with sculpted foam and paper Mache.

25. Three Dimensional Scenery:
This set is from a production of Moliere at the University of Colorado.

26. Scenery Flat: -A frame covered with either fabric or plywood.
-painted and positioned on stage to give appearance of walls, columns, building exteriors, etc.
-can be combined to create larger units that can be disassembled and moved

27. Scenery Flat: -A frame covered with either fabric or plywood.
-painted and positioned on stage to give appearance of walls, columns, building exteriors, etc.
-can be combined to create larger units that can be disassembled and moved

28. Scenery
Flat:

29. Scenery
Flat:

30. Scenery

31. Scenery

32. Scenery
Chesterton High School’s 2004 production of Charlotte’s Web.

33. Scenery

34. Scenery
There are times when the scenery may have to be moved around . . .

35. Scenery: moving equipment
Truck:
- A platform on wheels which flats and other scenery can be mounted and quickly moved off and on stage
Turntable:
- It is a pivoted circle built into a stage.
- It can move either manually or hydraulically.
- It allows for scenery, equipment, and actors to revolve onto the stage in a matter of seconds.

36. Scenery: moving equipment
Truck:
- A platform on wheels which flats and other scenery can be mounted and quickly moved off and on stage

37. Scenery: moving equipment
Turntable:
Calvin Theatre in Michigan. The turntable is 26 feet wide.

38. Scenery: moving equipment
Hydraulic Stage Lifts:
-In some cases, scenery, equipment, and actors are positioned on lift sections beneath the stage, then quickly raised into place on cue.
- Elaborate scenery environments can be changed out with the press of a button.
- However, it can ruin a show if they break down.

39. Scenery