What is a Theatre curtain called

Backdrops are theatre curtains that hang in the back of the stage and can be used for projection or lighting effects. Often, they are made from canvas and printed or painted with custom artwork to create theatrical scenery.

What are the 3 types of curtains in theatre?

Although the possibilities for custom stage curtains are endless, there are three basic types of theatre curtains: proscenium curtains, masking curtains and backdrops. Proscenium curtains include the main curtain and the main valance. These theatre curtains provide a decorative barrier between the audience and stage.

What is a theatre backdrop called?

A standard stage backdrop or theatrical backdrop is typically made from flame retardant muslin, sewn without fullness. It has a strip of very heavy fabric, called webbing, across the top, which is studded with grommets. (Brass eyelets that are embedded into the fabric).

What is another name for stage curtains?

The front curtain, also called house curtain, act curtain, grand drape, main drape, main curtain, proscenium curtain, main rag or, in the UK, tabs, hangs downstage, just behind the proscenium arch. It is typically opened and closed during performances to reveal or conceal the stage and scenery from the audience.

What is a tormentor curtain?

a curtain or framed structure behind the proscenium at both sides of the stage, for screening the wings from the audience.

What are Austrian curtains?

The Austrian curtain or drape, also called a puff curtain, has multiple vertical lines (typically nylon) spaced evenly across the width of the fabric, which typically is a thin satin, charmeuse, or chiffon material that bunches well.

What is the area beyond those curtains called?

apron. The section of the stage in front of the curtain. backstage. The area behind the set that is not visible to the audience, including dressing rooms, the greenroom, prop rooms, shops, offices, and storage areas.

What's a batten in theater?

In theaters, a batten (also known as a bar or pipe) is a long metal pipe suspended above the stage or audience from which lighting fixtures, theatrical scenery, and theater drapes and stage curtains may be hung.

What is a grand curtain in Theatre?

Definition of grand drape : a decorative narrow curtain hung along the top of a proscenium arch on the side toward the audience.

What are theater drops?

Cut Drop/Theater Backdrops When the net is dyed to match the background it becomes nearly invisible. A netted cut drop will most often be used in conjunction with cut legs and a cut border, creating a beautiful silhouette that frames the plain backdrop that is hung upstage.

Article first time published on

What is a teaser curtain?

The teaser is a horizontal masking border that is lowered to reduce the height of the opening. It is attached to a batten and suspended just upstage of the proscenium, directly behind the grand drape or act curtain. The teaser can be lowered into position to set the stage height as required by the current scene.

What does Cyclorama mean in theatre?

cyclorama, in theatre, background device employed to cover the back and sometimes the sides of the stage and used with special lighting to create the illusion of sky, open space, or great distance at the rear of the stage setting.

What is a cyclorama curtain?

In theater and film, a cyclorama (abbreviated cyc in the United States and the UK) is a large curtain or wall, often concave, positioned at the back of the apse. It often encircles or partially encloses the stage to form a background. … Cycloramas are often used to create the illusion of a sky onstage.

What is the name of the narrow vertical curtain that masks the sides of the stage?

Leg Drape – Found on a stage, narrow vertical curtains, usually black, used to mask the offstage areas from the audience view. The number of legs is dependent on the depth of the stage and width of the auditorium. Lining – Fabric used as a backing for drapery.

In what type of stage does backdrops and curtains Cannot be used?

In-the-round stages require special considerations in production, such as: Scenery that does not obscure actors and the rest of the stage from parts of the audience. Backdrops and curtains cannot be used, thus the director must find other ways to set the scene.

WHAT DOES A arena stage look like?

Arena theatres are large scale auditoria and have a central stage area with audiences on all sides, similar to theatres in-the-round. The stage area is usually rectangular, more like a sports arena, with tiered seating.

What is a fly rail?

Definition of fly rail 1 : a bracket that turns out to support the hinged leaf of a table. 2 : a railing above the fly gallery of a theatrical stage bearing cleats or pins by which ropes may be made fast.

What is a cut drop?

noun A drop-scene in a theater which is cut away more or less to allow the scenery behind it to be seen through the opening.

What are the parts of a theater?

Set. The physical surroundings where the action of a play takes place. …
Backstage. The area behind the set or off the stage that’s not seen by the audience.
Apron. …
Pit (or orchestra pit) …
Proscenium Arch. …
Crossover Space. …
Trap Door. …
Wings.

What makes up a theatre?

It includes technical, performance and preparation areas of the theatre behind, beside, above and underneath the stage. It also includes areas in sight of the audience such as the control box, usually located at the back of the stalls, where the control desks for lighting and sound are situated.

What are the wings in theatre?

For example, in a theater, the wings are the hidden areas to the left and right of the stage. This is where actors wait before they make an appearance. So, an actor waiting in the wings is standing off-stage, waiting to perform.

When were theater curtains invented?

Theatre drapes have played an important role in stage productions for centuries. Introduced in 1512 during the reign of King Henry VIII the court masque was devised. It came in the form of dramatic writing and production stylised by poetry, music, and dance.

What are Austrian shades?

Austrian shade in American English noun. a window shade in which the fabric falls in a series of puffy festoons created by vertical rows of shirring.

How does an Austrian curtain work?

Through the use of a series of lift lines on the back of the curtain, the Austrian or Brail is raised and lowered, with the bottom of the curtain drawing up against itself as it makes its way to the top.

What does apron mean in Theatre?

Definition of apron stage : the flat wide part of the Elizabethan stage projecting into the audience and used as the main acting area.

What are masking curtains?

Used to cover, divide, hide or conceal backstage areas. Masking curtains are typically behind the proscenium curtains (up-stage) and as the name implies, their purpose is to “mask” or hide stage equipment, stage lighting and off-stage areas.

What does SFS mean in Broadway?

West Side StoryMusicLeonard BernsteinLyricsStephen SondheimBookArthur LaurentsConceptJerome Robbins

What is the relationship between a counterweight and an arbor?

Counterweight: A weight used to balance the load on a line that is being raised, lowered, or held in position. Counterweight Arbor: A weight carriage designed so that the amount of counterbalance can be varied proportional to the load imposed on the pipe batten.

What is a light batten?

A batten fix is a very common light fitting, it is simply a single lamp holder connected/wired to the ceiling or wall. These DIY (do it yourself) fittings are shades designed to cover a batten fix to add personality and design to your room. … saving you money (providing there is an existing batten fix).

What are box sets in Theatre?

box set, in Western theatre, realistically detailed, three-walled, roofed setting that simulates a room with the fourth wall (the one closest to the audience) removed.