What are the 3 types of curtains in Theatre?

What are the 3 types of curtains in Theatre?

Theatre curtains may be designed for a wide range of uses on the stage. They also are available in many different fabric options and custom designs. Although the possibilities for custom stage curtains are endless, there are three basic types of theatre curtains: proscenium curtains, masking curtains and backdrops.

What are Theatre drapes called?

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 an Austrian curtain?

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 are the horizontal masking curtains hung onstage called?

A teaser, or top masking, is a horizontal curtain attached to a batten and hung upstage of the proscenium and just behind the front-of-house curtain, which reduces the height of the proscenium.

What is the middle curtain called?

The cafe curtain is a window treatment that covers the bottom half of a window. Most commonly cafe curtains are used in the kitchen on a cafe rod hung at the halfway point of a window.

Why are theatre curtains red?

Now for the more technical reason. Modern performances today include lighting, staging and production. Red does not absorb light as much as other colours, such as blue or green. This means that if the production team want to cast a spotlight onto the stage, having a red background will help to make it stand out.

What is a grand drape 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 is a proscenium curtain?

The Proscenium Curtain, also called Front or Main Curtain, is used as a sight and sound barrier between the audience and stage. As the focus point for the audience before a performance, the proscenium curtain also serves as an important design element.

What is the name of the white curtain at the back of the stage?

Backdrop curtains Also called cyclorama curtains (or cyc for short), backdrops hang vertically at the back of the stage and are usually alongside projection or lighting effects or incorporate artwork and designs used to help support the performance and create pleasing visual effects.

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 is a tormentor curtain?

Tormentor or “Torm” curtains are full length Proscenium Curtains that are are sometimes placed upstage (behind the Proscenium Opening) in order to reduce the width of the Proscenium Opening for certain performances.