Stage Curtains

Main stage curtains (i.e. Grand Drapes) are usually the largest and most ornate curtains in the theatre. See below for different types of main stage drapes along with demonstrations of each.

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Stage Layout

Stage Layout Main Curtains (also called Proscenium, Act, Grand, Front or House) refer to the full height and valance curtains that are closest to the Proscenium opening. They are normally used to open and close the view of the stage for the audience.

Masking Curtains are typically black and designed to mask audience sight lines.

Backdrops are usually sewn flat to create a flat surface for painting, digital images or projection.

Main Curtains
- Main Valance or Teaser
- Main Traveler Curtain
- Tab (Tableau) Curtain
- Austrian Curtain
- Venetian Curtain
- Venetian Contour Curtain

Masking Curtains
- Borders
- Legs or Tormentor
- Midstage or Rear Travelers
- Tabs

Backdrops
- Digitally Printed or Painted Backdrop
- Scrim
- Muslin or Cyclorama (Cyc)
- Projection Screen (not shown)
- ShowLED Star Drop (not shown)

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Stage Curtain Types

Traveler Curtain
The Traveler or bi-parting curtain is made of two overlapping panels, customarily in 50-100% fullness for main curtains. The panels are hung on overlapping traveler tracks that can be operated manually or motorized.

Tab (Tableau) Curtain
Made of two overlapping panels, usually in 50-100% fullness for main curtains. Rings are sewn on the back, starting from the lower on-stage edge. A line runs through the rings to pull the leading edge of the curtain out and open to a curved swag.

Austrian Curtain
Made up of a series of vertical panels with both horizontal and vertical fullness. The curtain is raised evenly from the bottom by a series of lift lines that run through rings sewn on the seams between panels. Austrians are usually motorized.

Braille Curtain
The Braille Curtain is a flat curtain built with vertical pulls of fabric. Rings are sewn into the seams on the back. A single pipe at or near the bottom is raised by a series of ropes or cables that run through the rings. The fabric folds onto itself as the pipe is raised. A motor may be required for large, heavy curtains.

Venetian Curtain
When in its lowered position, it looks like a standard drape in fullness. Ring and lift lines on the seams raise the Venetian from the bottom to form a graceful, scalloped profile. Venetians are usually motorized.

Venetian Contour Curtain
Has individually operated lift lines that allow for multiple contoured profiles. The shape of the profile depends on the placement of the ring lines and curtain fullness which varies by panel to accommodate the contour shape. A motor is needed for each lift line.

Roman Shade Curtain
The Roma Shade is a flat curtain, built with horizontal pulls of fabric with pipe pockets on the back at the seams. Not ideal for fabrics with nap. A series of ropes or cables run through rings on the back at the pipe pockets, lift the pipes in sequence, creating horizontal accordion folds in the curtain as the bottom is raised. A motor may be required for large, heavy curtains.