Glossary of Stage Drapery Terms

A

Austrian Drape

Austrian Drape – A drape with the fullness sewn vertically creating a scalloped effect across the curtain when it is in the full down position. The drape is raised vertically with cord and rings.

B

Back Traveller Drape

Back Traveller Drape – A drape that is at the rear of the stage that is typically pulled along a track manually. If the stage has a cyclorama drape this will be the only thing behind the back traveller.

Bi-Part

Bi-Part – A drape that splits in the middle, usually it is operated by a line from one side of the stage however can be pulled manually as well.

Border Drape

Border Drape – Found on stages, similar to the teaser, a horizontal masking curtain, typically black.

Box Pleat

Box Pleat – Deep, inverted, tailored pleats which are flat on the good side of the drapery to create a classical boxy look.

C

Carrier

Carrier – A roller or glide that is attached to the curtain and runs along the track. Used to move drapes and curtains around.

Centre Split

Centre Split – Same as bi-part, it is a drape that splits in the middle. Usually it is operated by a line from one side of the stage however can be pulled manually as well.

Chain Pocket

Chain Pocket – Chain sewn into the bottom hem of a curtain or drape used to keep the curtain taut.

Commando

Commando – Also known as Duvetyne, this 100% cotton woven masking fabric is often used for backdrops.

Cyclorama

Cyclorama – Found on stages, the last setting on a stage. Typically a white or light blue color muslin scrim.

D

Dead Hung

Dead Hung – Items that are hung above the stage and not intended to move.

Double Fullness

Double Fullness – Using fabric that is twice the measured width of the opening. Double fullness creates a fuller look that is more pleasing then flat.

Duvetyne

Duvetyne – Also known as Commando, this 100% cotton woven masking fabric is often used for backdrops.

E

Eyelet

Eyelet – Same as grommet, a small hole at the top of the drape for the passage of a cord or hook.

F

Finished Sizes

Finished Sizes – The manufactured size of a drape or curtain. The height measures the very top of the curtain to the bottom, and the width measurement is from one edge to the other (if there is fullness in the curtain be sure to measure the width at the top hem where the pleats are sewn)

Fire Curtain

Fire Curtain – A non-flammable curtain immediately behind the proscenium contained in the smoke pocket. A safety device used to protect the audience from possible smoke or fire originating from the stage area.

Fire Retardant Fabric

Fire Retardant Fabric – Textiles that are naturally more resistant to fire than others through chemical treatment of manufactured fireproof fibres.

Fullness

Fullness – Refers to the width of the fabric in relation to the rod or opening. Most stage drapes are 1.5 or 2 times fullness.

G

Good Side

Good Side – The side of the fabric that is used as the finished side of an item. The good side generally has the most color and the most finished look to it.

Grommet

Grommet – Same as an eyelet, a small hole at the top of the drape for the passage of a cord or hook.

H

Heading

Heading – The top seam of a drape or curtain. The heading can be manufactured in different ways to accomplish different curtain appearances.

I

J

K

L

Leg Drape

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

Lining – Fabric used as a backing for drapery. Lining can provide two good sides to a drape as well as black out effect depending on the lining fabric selected.

M

Main Drape

Main Drape – Same as proscenium, this curtain is the first curtain on the stage and generally goes from the floor to slightly above the proscenium arch and is opened and closed to reveal the production.

Muslin

Muslin – Tightly woven cotton fabric often used for covering scenery as well as for bounce drops in lighting.

N

O

Offstage

Offstage – The area toward the wall of the stage.

Onstage

Onstage – The area toward the centre of the stage.

Overlap

Overlap – The area where drapery panels lap over each other at the centre of a bi-parting system.

P

Pinch Pleat

Pinch Pleat - A narrow pleat that is usually part of a series at the top of a curtain, used on valance curtains to stiffen the top hem and allows the curtain to hide track and hardware.

Proscenium Drape

Proscenium Drape –This curtain is the first curtain on the stage and generally goes from the floor to slightly above the proscenium arch and is opened and closed to reveal the production.

Q

R

Railroading

Railroading – Refers to using fabric horizontally rather than vertically. Fabric without nap or a directional design can be railroaded easily depending on the required size of finished curtains. It can be used to avoid seams in long lengths of fabric.

S

Scrim

Scrim – On stages, it is a curtain made of an open weave sharkstooth fabric that can be seen through only when backlit towards the audience side. It becomes opaque when the audience side is lit and the backlight is removed.

Shower Curtain

Shower Curtain - A curtain that keeps water from splashing out of the shower area.

Stage left

Stage left – The actors’ left when facing the audience.

Stage right

Stage right - The actors’ right when facing the audience.

T

Teaser

Teaser – Found on stages, it is a horizontal masking curtain, typically black.

Tiebacks

Tiebacks - Fabric bands, cords, or other material that shape the curtain or drape and holds them back.

Top of Track (TOT)

Top of Track (TOT) – This is the dimension taken from where the top of the track is or will be mounted to the finished stage floor.

Track

Track – A steel or aluminum rod that accommodates a corresponding carrier. Used wherever drapes or curtains are required to be hung.

Trim Chain

Trim Chain – A short piece, typically 6”, of chain connecting the carriers on the track to the ‘S’ Hook going into the curtain. This chain allows for curtain height adjustment to keep the bottom hem consistent and even from the floor.

U

V

Valance

Valance – A short horizontal drape that covers the top of the proscenium main drapes and the drapery hardware. A valance is typically made of fabric to match the proscenium main drapes.
 

W

Walk Draw

Walk Draw – Drapery which is pulled by hand rather than with a pulley system.

X

Y

Z